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NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (3/21)

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The NHL playoff race continues to heat up as we enter the final stretch of the regular season. Tonight's 13-game slate will certainly have playoff ramifications, especially in the marquee games that see the Hurricanes taking on the Rangers, the Wild squaring off with the Devils, and the Stars hosting the Kraken.

There is no shortage of betting options available tonight, but I've narrowed in on these three bets on the ice.

Trent's Betting Record Since 1/21/2023

  • Total: 20-25 (-6.69 Units)
  • NHL: 18-23 (6.56 Units)

Also, take a look at our other best bets for Tuesday:

Tuesday’s Best NHL Bets

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers

The 7:00 p.m. ET NHL window gets tonight's action started, and there's no easing into it as we open the night with a heavyweight tilt in the Metropolitan Division between the Hurricanes and Rangers. This one takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY.

These two squads are set to play a home-and-home series over the next three nights, with tonight's showdown taking place in the Big Apple. The Rangers come into this one having won four straight games, outscoring their opponents 22-5 over the stretch. They're also riding a seven-game point streak, going 6-0-1 over the sample. I'll back the Blue Shirts on the moneyline in this matchup that the oddsmakers see as a coin flip.

On top of being red hot, New York has dominated Carolina in recent history. They've won both contests this year (5-3, 6-2) and have now come out victorious in six of the last seven. For whatever reason, the Rangers have the Hurricanes' number right now, and I'm not going to bet against the trend - especially with a Carolina team that's lost three of their last five games. Let's ride with New York at home tonight.

Bet: New York Rangers Moneyline (-110 via DraftKings)

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

The Atlantic Division is just about settled at this point, with the Bruins (111 points) tracking down the President's Trophy, the Maple Leafs in the driver's seat of the second spot (93 points), and the Lightning holding down the third position (90 points). Tampa Bay will look for another pair of points tonight when they take on the last-place Canadiens in Montreal. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Centre Bell in Quebec.

The Bolts and Habs just squared off on Saturday in Florida, a matchup that ended 5-3 in favor of the home side. Tampa Bay will go for the season sweep tonight, having won 5-1 and 4-1 against Montreal back in December as well. As you'll notice, the Lightning covered the puck line in all three games. I'll back them to do so again tonight.

The main reason for Montreal's woes this season is its defense, which ranks just 27th overall (3.4 GAA) and 30th on the penalty kill (72.3%). Opposing teams are licking their chops when they see the Habs pop up on the schedule. With an offense like Tampa's, which is third on power play (25.3%) and sixth overall (3.5 GPG), they should have no issues stretching this lead out by multiple goals. Let's ride with the Lightning on the puck line in this one.

Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 (-110 via DraftKings)

Seattle Kraken vs. Dallas Stars

As the NHL night carries on, the Kraken gets set to face the Stars in a Western Conference clash. This one is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.

In what appears to be the trend today, I have to point out that the Stars have beaten the Kraken in both of their prior matchups this season. They'll go for the season sweep tonight on their home ice. Interestingly, both wins came within the last 10 days, with Dallas winning 4-3 in overtime on March 11th and 5-2 on the 13th.

I'll lay the juice tonight on the Stars and say they complete the sweep. Dallas has been clicking on both ends of the ice over their recent 7-3-0 stretch, outscoring the opposition 48-30 over the 10-game sample. One area where they'll have a sizable edge tonight is on the power play, where they're cashing 23.5% of their man-advantage opportunities (8th). Seattle, on the other hand, is just 26th on the PK, killing off 74.4% of their opponent's chances.

With home ice, a special teams advantage, and Jake Oettinger (30-10-10, 2.46 GAA, .918 SV%) in net, I'll gladly lay the juice with the Stars.

Bet: Dallas Stars Moneyline (-165 via DraftKings)

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