NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (11/9)
Hockey season is in full swing and things are already exciting to the start 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)
Dallas Stars (-108) at Winnipeg Jets (-112) | O/U 6 (-102/-118)
The Stars were swept by Florida in the Global Series but came back and beat Chicago. With the talent they have, the offense is underperforming. The 3.08 goals per game are middle of the pack, and their best players like Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Jamie Benn are struggling; as soon as those guys get it going, their offense will surge.
The goaltenders are top-tier, as they are third in goals allowed per game. Jake Oettinger and backup Casey DeSmith both have sub-2.30 GAAs and a matching .922 save percentage.
Dallas is great, but Winnipeg is supreme. They are leading the league in goals scored and goals allowed. That top line with Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Gabriel Vilardi is better than anyone else in the league, as they have combined for 22 goals. Still, even when you get further down the lines with Nikolaj Ehlers, who has eight goals, and Nino Niederreiter, who has seven, they can score on any shift.
There's still Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, who is second in goals allowed (1.91) and save percentage (.932). Until proven otherwise, keep riding the Jets.
Pick: Jets Moneyline (-112)
Philadelphia Flyers (+220) at Florida Panthers (-270) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-120)
The defending champs had a shaky start to the season, but they are in a groove and have won six straight, all by multiple goals.
The offense is just clicking, averaging five goals per game. It's not just one player who has gotten the first star; Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Alexander Barkov, and Carter Verhaeghe have all received the honor.
Even goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has one, and although he's been inconsistent, the offense has sometimes been able to bail him out.
It was a brutal start to the Flyers’ season, going 1-5-1, but they have started to win some games, including against Boston and Tampa Bay. They cannot score, which is a problem they had last season, but they have a defense that can put pressure on their opponents, both at even strength and on penalty kill.
It's a good sign that Samuel Ersson traveled with the team, but he might be available only in an emergency. You are hoping Ivan Fedotov can play like he did, giving up one goal against the Lightning.
If it wasn't against the champs, then maybe, but they are also riding a hot streak.
Pick: Panthers -1.5 (+100)