NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (3/1)
As we begin the second half of the NHL season, there are a lot of teams in contention for the playoffs. 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 the best bets.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Tampa Bay Lightning (-112) at Washington Capitals (-108) | O/U 6.5 (+110/-130)
The Capitals looked fantastic coming out of the break with two wins and scoring 15 goals in that span, but things have slipped recently. They have lost back-to-back games, scoring just three combined goals. The last game was dreadful as they only had 19 shots on goal in a 5-2 loss to the Blues and backup goalie Joel Hofer.
Rarely do teams cruise the entire season, and hockey is one of those games where the puck doesn’t always fall the right way. The team has faced unfortunate luck with its Fenwick rate which has been above 53% in each game.
Watching the Lightning is always exciting because of their deep roster. They're a smart and proven team that recently won Stanley Cup championships. Their offense likes to play fast and is aggressive toward the net, which helps them rank seventh in expected goal percentage (53.39%) and second in goals scored per game (3.57).
Nikita Kucherov continues to be a special player who can create opportunities with 59 assists - the second-most in the league. Many of those assists are on Brayden Point goals, who is one of eight NHL players with 30+ goals this season.
Another is Alex Ovechkin, who is getting closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. You add Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas, and each team has plenty of scoring options.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+110)
Philadelphia Flyers (+180) at Winnipeg Jets (-218) | O/U 5.5 (-112/-108)
It's tough not to call the Winnipeg Jets the best team in the league, even after a loss. That's because they just had an 11-game winning streak snapped - the third time they've had a seven-game or better winning streak this season. They are still in rarified air as the only team in the top three in goals allowed (first) and goals scored (third).
Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, should be in action. It's hard not to call him the best goalie in the league. He's favored to win the award in consecutive seasons, as he leads the league with 36 wins, a 2.02 GAA and a .926 save percentage.
The Flyers can never keep the momentum going when they start to get on a nice run. They just went on a three-game winning streak, which included a win against Edmonton, but then suffered a devastating loss to Pittsburgh, where they blew a 3-1 lead and were defeated in overtime. Travis Konecny is their best player, but they also have some other excellent offensive players, like Matvei Michkov and Owen Tippett. However, the goaltending continues to struggle.
The Jets should be able to start a new winning streak beginning with tonight’s game.
Pick: Jets 60-Minute Moneyline (-145)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday: