NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (4/14)
There are plenty of NHL teams in playoff contention. We’ve seen that all some teams need to do is get in and make a huge run. Let’s break down a couple of games and give you our best NHL bets.
Monday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Dallas Stars (-130) at Detroit Red Wings (+110) | O/U 6.5 (+114/-135)
Some say it's just your overall record, but your momentum coming into the playoffs is also important. If that's the case, then the Stars are in trouble. After recently going on a seven-game winning streak, they are 0-3-2 in their last five. In the previous three games, they’ve allowed 15 goals after allowing under two goals per game during that winning streak.
Detroit played around with being a contender for most of the season, but the inconsistencies kept them out of a playoff spot. This roster has a lot of great offensive players, and we saw forwards like Alex DeBrincat get his first 20+ goal season since 21-22 and Dylan Larkin is one goal shy of his fourth straight 30-goal season, but there wasn't much depth, and they never had a dependable goaltender.
Dallas's blueline is to blame for many of its defensive woes, as it allows 36.4 shots per game. That should help Detroit score, but Dallas should get through that Detroit defense. This is a fantastic value getting the Over at plus money.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+110)
Chicago Blackhawks (+225) at Montreal Canadiens (-278) | O/U 6.5 (+110/-130)
Montreal has not made the playoffs in the previous three seasons, and all they need to do is win one game. They have been unable to do that with just one point in the last two games. The biggest problem they will have if they make the playoffs is trusting the goaltending; Sam Montembeault is talented but has been inconsistent all season. Before allowing four goals in his last start, he'd allowed two or fewer in four straight, and that's been his pattern all year.
Don't call a win against the Blackhawks a guarantee because they are giving it their all with nothing to play for. They just tapped Connor Hellebuyck for four goals, Jeremy Swayman for four, and Charlie Lindgren for three. They will make this game exciting.
Pick: Blackhawks +1.5 (-112)
Los Angeles Kings (-108) at Edmonton Oilers (-112) | O/U 5.5 (-108/-112)
Three things are guaranteed: death, taxes, and the Kings and Oilers playing each other in the playoffs. As this bitter rivalry intensifies, these two will square off in the first round for the third year in a row.
Both teams have talent on each side of the ice, but while the Oilers have one of the best collections of forwards in the game, the Kings are allowing the second-fewest goals this season (2.44).
We've seen shutouts in the last two games, with each team winning. We likely won't see much ice time from the top players, and this could be a low-scoring game and not the preview of the playoff series we were hoping for.
Pick: Under 5.5 Goals (-112)