NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (3/29)
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 our best bets.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Buffalo Sabres (-110) at Philadelphia Flyers (-110) | O/U 6.5 (+110/-120)
When you look at the talent Buffalo has, there is a potential playoff team there, but every year they fail to meet expectations. This season is another example as they have the fewest points in the Eastern Conference (66). They are on a 6-8-1 run and have won three straight, which is one of their better runs this season.
The offense has some pieces, with Tage Thompson scoring 36 goals and Alex Tuch scoring 28. They both contributed to the team’s 7-3 beatdown of the Penguins on Thursday. They sit 29th in goals allowed per game (3.49). Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been unable to replicate his breakout season last year, going from allowing 2.57 to 3.16 goals per game.
The Flyers’ season continues to get worse, and they are on a dreadful 2-10-1 run. It was easy to predict John Tortorella’s firing, but it looked like he would be there at least through the end of the season. However, there were rumors of a confrontation with Cam York. That and all the losing led to an early exit for Tortarella.
Sometimes teams respond to a coaching change, and it seems like the organization was hostile to Tortorella, so you might see them play much looser against a bad team.
Pick: Flyers Moneyline (-110)
New York Islanders (+190) at Tampa Bay Lightning (-230) | O/U 6.5 (+110/-120)
The Lightning have a lot to play for. Although they are third in the Atlantic Division, they're only one point behind the Maple Leafs for first. All of these teams will be fighting for the No. 2 seed, so they can avoid possibly playing the Washington Capitals until the Eastern Conference Finals. If they keep playing the way they are on offense, they'll be tough. Tampa Bay comes in scoring 14 goals in their last two games.
Tampa Bay has been one of the hottest teams for almost two months and are tied with the Blues with the most wins (15) and is second in goals per game (3.89) during that span. The defense has also been excellent. In that same span, they rank fifth in goals allowed per game (2.29) and third in penalty kill.
The Islanders have been one of those teams that can get on a hot streak and immediately go cold. They have been playing well recently, going 3-1-2, which includes an overtime loss to Edmonton and a win against Florida. It's important to get points, especially being only one point from the final playoff spot.
They rely on defense and goaltending, but have regressed. They allow 2.99 goals per game (17th) and 29.2 shots per game. Ilya Sorokin’s 2.76 goals allowed this season are better than the 3.15 he allowed last year, but he still hasn’t been the same goalie from the start of his career.
Pick: Lightning -1.5 (+114)