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NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (2/26)

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Great slate of games tonight, and we’ll feature three, with each team poised to make a playoff run.

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Washington Capitals (+105) vs. Buffalo Sabres (-125) | O/U 6.5 (-110/-110)

The Capitals broke a six-game losing streak on Saturday against the Rangers with a 6-3 win.

With all the injuries that have surrounded them, they’ve never been able to have their entire team, and it likely keeps them out of the playoffs.

The Sabres continue to make a playoff push with the best-scoring offense in the league. Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, and Alex Tuch are a dynamic top line, but they have depth, with Dylan Cozens having three goals in his last five games and Casey Mittelstadt and Peyton Krebs having a pair each.

The goaltending continues to struggle, and it’s cost them games throughout the year, but at least for now, the offense has made up for it.

The Capitals had an extraordinary offensive showing yesterday, but on a second leg of a back-to-back and a travel day, they aren’t going to be up for facing the best offense in the league.

Pick: Sabres ML (-125)

Tampa Bay Lightning (-125) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (+105) | O/U 6.5 (-115/-105)

The Penguins finally ended their four-game losing streak with an overtime win over the Blues on Saturday. In one of their best defensive games recently, they were able to prevent St. Louis from getting the puck near the net, something they’ve struggled to do this season.

Tristian Jarry started Saturday, so it will be Casey DeSmith between the pipes, and he’s allowing 3.28 goals this season.

The Lightning continues to be excellent and has the talent to make it to another Stanley Cup Final. Although they’ve lost three of their last five, the offense has put up four or more goals in three of those.

Like the Penguins, they won’t have their top goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, so Brian Elliott with be in the lineup. He has been a serviceable backup allowing 2.90 goals against.

It will come down to the better offense. The Bolts are top to bottom the better lineup. Pittsburgh’s long-time guys are still good, but most of their supporting cast has been unable to pull their weight. I’m taking Tampa Bay to win the power game.

Pick: Lightning ML (-125)

Los Angeles Kings (+120) vs. New York Rangers (-140) | O/U 6 (-110/-110)

The last time these two faced off, it was an exciting game. The Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first period, but Rangers would score three in the second. The third was tight and tough — the Kings would tie it, but the Rangers fought right back and took this game 5-3.

Everything that was going right for the Rangers after the All-Star Break has suddenly gone away. The offense has been non-existent, scoring just seven goals during their recent four-game losing streak, and the blue line has been playing on its heels.

Jaroslav Halak played the third period on Saturday with Igor Shesterkin’s getting benched, but he should be in the net.

The Kings look like a team that could make some noise in the playoffs.

They’re a great two-way team with a tremendous forward unit that has fast skaters, excellent puck movement, and a tough blue line that blocks shots and doesn’t give second chances in the crease.

The Rangers have played against strong defenses and have struggled. The Kings have the rest advantage and will better team on both sides today.

Pick: Kings ML (+120)

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