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 NHL bets for Saturday, April 5th.
Saturday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Pittsburgh Penguins (-240) at Dallas Stars (-298) | O/U 6.5 (+105/-125)
Don't look now, but the Dallas Stars are surging up the standings. Everyone presumed the Jets would grab the top seed in the Western Conference, but after winning seven straight and earning points in 10 straight, the Stars are now a contender for the Presidents' Trophy.
Two components have carried this team. The newly formed offense has been great in that span, scoring 3.70 goals per game. The addition of Mikko Rantanen has taken this offense to a new level. The goaltending has also been untouchable. Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith have had the net on lock, allowing 1.90 goals per game in the last 10 games, which looks even better when you realize the blueline allows a league-worst 34.7 shots per game in that same span.
The Penguins have been solid with a 6-4-1 record in their last 10 games, but their season isn't salvageable at this point.
The defense did not give them any chance this year. They have been among the worst all season, ranking 30th in goals allowed (3.59) and 29th in shots on goal allowed (30.4). They’ve never gotten any consistency in net. They even released Tristan Jarry and brought him back.
The Penguins sent the red-hot Blues to overtime in their last game, which means they're still putting in effort. The offense can score and they could turn this into a shootout.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+105)
Colorado Avalanche (-135) at St. Louis Blues (+114) | O/U 5.5 (-118/-102 )
This might be the most interesting game of the night as it pits two teams playing very well.
No other team is playing better than the Blues, who have won 11 straight and continue to surge up the standings. They went from playoff hopefuls to holding down the first Wild Card spot.
They have been getting it done on both sides of the ice. Since March 15th, when the streak began, they are first in goals allowed (1.64) and goals scored (4.18) per game.
They are getting contributions up and down the lineup. Robert Thomas is first in the league in assists during this streak (16) and Jordan Kyrou is leading with nine goals. You go even further down the line, and deeper guys like Jake Neighbours (four goals) and Zack Bolduc (five goals) are contributing.
Jordan Binnington is having an amazing second half. Since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, he has allowed 1.90 goals per game and has a .919 save percentage in his last 13 games.
If a team can end this streak, the Avalanche will be the one to do so. This offense has so many weapons. Nathan MacKinnon leads the league with 114 points and could win back-to-back Hart Trophies. Cale Makar became only the ninth defenseman in NHL history to score 30 goals in a season. It's not just those two; every shift, multiple players can score. Over the last 10 games, seven players have scored at least three goals.
With both teams showing off their firepower, we could see this game hit the over.
Pick: Over 5.5 Goals (-118)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday:
