Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (10/30)
Let’s end the week with some matchups on the ice. We have some teams playing really well offensively who I like continuing that run today, and then we have one of the better defensive teams in the league in a great spot today.
(All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)
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Toronto Maple Leafs (-205) vs. Anaheim Ducks (+168) | o/u 6.5 (-130/+106)
The Leafs are not getting off to the start they want. This still has a dangerous front line with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares combining for 10 goals and 15 assists, but they’re not getting any contributions after that. They’ve looked much better on the blue line, with Mark Giordano and Morgan Rielly coming in with 28 blocked shots on the year, and the deeper defensive lines are also playing well.
The Ducks look like they’ll finish near the bottom this season. The offense has been abysmal, with just six goals in their last five games, and the defense isn’t doing any better, allowing 13 goals in their previous three games.
The Maple Leafs have to be excited about going against a team allowing 4.38 goals per game. While the Toronto offense hasn’t been great this year, they still have three guys who scored over 30 goals last year, including Matthews, who had 60.
Pick: Maple Leafs -1.5 (+125)
Columbus Blue Jackets (+180) vs. New Jersey Devils (-220) | o/u 6.5 (-128/+104)
The Devils look like they’ll be a contender in a tight Metropolitan Division. They haven’t been getting a strong offensive effort, and now they put Ondrej Palat on IR, but they haven’t needed it with how incredible their defense is. This is easily the best group of players on the blue line, and they’re leading the league in the share of takeaways, shots on goal allowed, and expected goals.
This is not a good matchup for a Columbus team that has gotten off to a slow start on offense. So far, they’ve had four games where they’ll score two goals or less, including against the Coyotes, and they’re coming off being shutout by the Bruins. You add the rough start in the crease, and they’re coming in 22nd in the expected goal differential.
The Devils are the favorites to grab two points in this game, but the money line has little value, and I don’t trust them on the puck line. The plus money on the under is too good not to grab.
Pick: Under 6.5 (+104)
Minnesota Wild (-184) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (+152) | o/u 6.5 (-115/-105)
The Blackhawks would like to avoid a three-game losing streak after just previously winning four straight. The offense has played well over the last few games, and they’ve scored four or more goals in five of their previous six. They have been getting a great effort in the crease from Alex Stalock after a year away from the NHL, but the blue line and special team units have been struggling.
Minnesota’s awful start to the year has them behind in the standings, but grabbing a point in three of their last four is getting them back in. Offensively they’re getting a majority of their production on the first line with Mats Zuccarello and Kirill Kaprizov, but not much else, and the centers have been nonexistent.
I don’t understand why Minnesota is such a large road favorite, especially as they wrap up a week-long road trip. I like the Blackhawks to rebound with a win.
Pick: Blackhawks ML (+152)
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