Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (3/25)
We are now in the second half of the season. Let’s analyze today’s matchups and give you the best bets. And for our top NHL Player Props, check out our NHL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet.
Monday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Vegas Golden Knights (-148) at St. Louis Blues (+124) | O/U 6 (-115/-105)
The Blues are far behind in the Central, so the Wild Card is their best way to the playoffs. This matchup is important because they sit just four points away from the Golden Knights. They’ve been playing very well recently, going 6-1-0 in their last seven. They’ll likely go with Jordan Binnington between the pipes in this important matchup, and he’s been good with 2.97 goals allowed per game and a .912 save percentage in his last six.
As mentioned, the champs are hanging onto the second Wild Card and are three points up on the Blues. A higher place in the Pacific is still in play for them, as they are only three points behind the Kings for third. This team hopes to find a way into the playoffs and also have their full roster with Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo injured and Adin Hill leaving Saturday’s game against Columbus.
Vegas plays so much better at home, but they haven’t had nearly as much success on the road. St. Louis holds an impressive record at home, and without Vegas’ full roster, the Blues should come away with a win.
Pick: Blues Moneyline (+124)
Los Angeles Kings (+110) at Vancouver Canucks (-130) | O/U 6.5 (-112/-108)
The Kings have been a roller coaster ride all year, from early Stanley Cup favorites to an epic collapse that saw their head coach fired to once again being a playoff contender. The defense continues to be one of their best attributes, and they’re allowing the third-fewest dangerous shots per game. The offense has been steadily improved under new head coach Jim Hiller, and they’ve moved to 53.76% expected goal share on the season.
The Canucks have been the best and most consistent throughout the year, and they’ve continued that by going 7-1-1 over their last nine. The team has had to adjust their lines, and they’ve grouped Elias Peterson, Nils Hoglander, and Conor Garland together, and it has worked as they combined for 24 points in the last ten games. Much of that has had to do with Elias Lindholm moving down to the third line because it’s not going well since coming from Calgary, and he has just nine points in 22 games.
In an important matchup, Casey DeSmith should be in the net, especially with Thatcher Demo sidelined. The Kings are getting healthy with Mikey Anderson, Adrian Kempe, and Viktor Arvidsson back in the lineup—three players they didn’t have in their 2-1 loss on March 5th. They have a better blue line, and with the offense looking better, they could get through DeSmith, who plays his third game in five days.
Pick: Kings Moneyline (+110)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: