Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (2/12)
The NHL returns from the break. Let's analyze these matchups and give you the best bets.
Monday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Minnesota Wild (+124) @ Vegas Golden Knights (-148) | O/U 6 (+105/-125)
A few teams changed coaches early on and found success; Minnesota is one of them and is 18-13-1 since Dean Evason took over. The offense is still not a powerhouse, but that wasn't an expectation. Instead, they wanted to rely on their defense. The goaltender tandem of Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury struggled under former coach John Hynes with 3.95 goals allowed per game, but with Evason, they're at 2.88.
Meanwhile, Adin Hill seems to be the heartbeat of this Golden Knights team. Overall, Vegas struggled when he was injured, but since his return, he's won all four of his starts. They also saw another key player return in William Karlsson, and he has two points in two games.
Both teams have played some close games since the return from the break, so this game could go either way. Hill vs. Gustavsson will be a fun matchup, and the under is the best bet.
Pick: Under 6 Total Goals (-125)
Seattle Kraken (+124) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (-148) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
The Kraken went on a great run for a while, grabbing 22 out of a possible 24 points, but they hit the wall and are just 2-6-1 over their last nine. They're proving what we already knew; they don't have the offense to stay competitive. They are just 27th in Expected Goal For Per 60, while the Expected Goal Against Per 60 is fourth.
It hasn't been much better for New Jersey, as they are 4-7-2 over their last 13. Jack Hughes has returned, which is great, but he has no points in his two games. The team is more worried about fixing their goaltending troubles; Vitek Vanecek has been awful with a -1.86 Wins Above Replacement, Akira Schmid didn't work out and Nico Daws hasn’t been any better.
Pinning each other's strengths and weaknesses will make this an interesting matchup. New Jersey's lost some close games recently, and their opponents have been much tougher than Seattle's. This will be one of the more favorable matchups in a while, and that will help New Jersey get some momentum.
Pick: Devils 60-Minute Moneyline (-110)
Calgary Flames (+124) @ New York Rangers (-148) | O/U 6 (-115/-105)
Calgary is in the playoff picture, and that's why it was strange they traded away Elias Lindholm. With the trading deadline looming, they could continue to sell. They've played a rough road schedule after the break but won in Boston, New Jersey and Belmont, N.Y. The loss of Lindholm doesn't hurt as much when they have Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau and Connor Zary, who have all been great during this stretch.
The Rangers are another tough test, as they won all three games since the return from the break and fourth-straight overall. The offense provides plenty of support, specifically Artemi Panarin, whose 31 goals are sixth and 68 points are fifth in the NHL. The defense continues to be incredible, specifically the blue line, as they're allowing under 28.5 shots per game. This has masked Igor Shesterkin's number, and while 2.86 GAA is a solid number, it would be the worst of his career, along with his .899 save percentage.
Shesterkin got a win in his last game, but that was against Chicago. Yet, this is a much better offense with all of its top stars playing well, especially in a tough road environment.
Pick: Flames Moneyline (+124)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday:
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- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions
- NHL Prop Betting Cheat Sheet