Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (3/4)
We are now in the second half of the season. Let’s analyze today’s matchups and give you the best bets.
Monday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Boston Bruins (+112) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-134) | O/U 6.5 (+104/-128)
The Bruins are in the middle of the brutal stretch, going 3-3-5 over their last 11. As you can see, they’ve played a lot of extra minutes recently and have won two additional overtime games. They are also in the middle of collecting air miles, as this will be their sixth road game in the last seven. Behind the cage will be Jeremy Swayman, who has been the far better goalie this year and has been the goaltender in the team’s last three wins.
The Maple Leafs are on a nice run and are 9-1-0 over their last ten. Their schedule has been tough recently, but they got wins over Colorado, Vegas, and New York (Rangers). The offense has been phenomenal, and over the last ten games, they have four players scoring six or more goals, including Auston Matthews with 11. Most of these wins have come by multiple goals because the goaltending has also been excellent from Ilya Samsonov, who allowed 2.82 goals in his last seven appearances, and Joseph Woll, who allowed 2.52 in his previous six.
The Bruins have won both games in this series so far, but we’re seeing the landscape of both teams change since they last matched up in December. The Maple Leafs have the best offense in the league, and both goalies are playing well.
Pick: Maple Leafs Moneyline (-134)
Seattle Kraken (+108) at Calgary Flames (-130) | O/U 6.5 (-132/+108)
The Kraken have been looking much better recently, going 5-2-1 over their last eight. As you peel back the numbers, nothing is overwhelming with the Kraken that convinces you they’re a great team; they are barely over 50% in expected goals, and a lot of their success is thanks to their blue line and goaltending because while they’re 8th in expected goals against per 60, they’re 28th in expected goals scored per 60.
The Flames are hot, as this team is having a post-All-Star break resurgence and slipping back into the playoff conversation. They’ve been getting contributions throughout the offense, and over the last five games, ten different players have at least one goal. Jakob Markstrom has been getting a ton of time in the net, but the veteran looks great, winning eight of his last ten with a .928 save percentage in that time.
Now Seattle has to play a hot goalie along with an offense that has a playmaker on every unit.
Pick: Flames Moneyline (-130)
Vegas Golden Knights (-188) at Columbus Blue Jackets (+155) | O/U 6.5 (+106/-130)
The champs have been on a brutal stretch since the All-Star break and are 4-6-1 in that span. Injuries have played a large part in their regression; Jack Eichel has been out since January 11th and hopes to return for this game, while Mark Stone should be ready to return sometime this week. Adin Hill also missed some time, but with him back and their full compliment of forwards, they’ll put themselves back into position to be repeat champions.
Not much was expected from the Blue Jackets, and it’s been a brutal campaign from Columbus. You have to go back to November 24th to find the last time they won consecutive games, something they could break tonight, coming off a win against Chicago.
Unfortunately, that isn’t happening. Getting Eichel is a big boost to the offense, and this is a great opportunity to get back into the flow against a below-average team.
Pick: Golden Knights -1.5 (+128)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: