NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/16)
Hockey season is in full swing and things are already exciting at the start of the NHL season. There are a few intriguing matchups early on, so let's look at the games to target.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Edmonton Oilers (-130) at Toronto Maple Leafs (+110) | O/U 6.5 (+102/-122)
Like last season, the Oilers’ start to the year has been tough. Their two biggest stars are thriving. Leon Draisaitl leads the team with 22 points. Connor McDavid has 19 points in only 14 games. Everyone else is averaging under a point per game.
We'll likely see Stuart Skinner in net on Saturday. After an outstanding performance during the playoffs, he hasn’t had a great year, allowing under three goals in only two of his 11 games.
The Maple Leafs started the season inconsistently, but they are currently playing their best hockey, going 5-2-1 in their last eight games. They have the offense, scoring three goals per game, and are sixth in expected goal percentage (54.3). They are doing all this without Auston Matthews.
They've given long-time backup goalie Anthony Stolarz the starting job. He's done well with it, allowing 2.11 goals per game (fifth) and 6.1 goals saved over expected (10th).
We can see a lot of scoring with many great playmakers on the ice for 60 minutes. Even though Edmonton is having trouble scoring, they can turn it on.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+102)
New Jersey Devils (-115) at Tampa Bay Lightning (-105) | O/U 6.5 (+102/-122)
The Devils are hot at the moment, coming in 5-1-0 in their last six. They had been beating up on some bad teams but solidified themselves by beating the Panthers twice in South Beach. The offense has been great, averaging 4.4 goals in their five wins, while allowing 1.8 goals per game.
The Panthers outshot them and won the faceoff margin in their first meeting, but New Jersey turned things around and won those battles the next game.
The Lightning had a brutal stretch with one point in four games. They broke into the win column against Winnipeg on Thursday. The Jets have the best record in the league. The Lightning have talent, especially with Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel at forward.
More importantly, they have the goaltending with Andrei Vasilevskiy. He just earned career win No. 300 against the Jets. He's having a great season with a .911 save percentage and 6.1 goals saved above expected.
The Devils have a way of either holding you down or playing physically. They can keep it close and win games late.
Pick: Devils Moneyline (-115)