Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (4/1)
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)
New York Islanders (-102) at Philadelphia Flyers (-118) | O/U 6 (-105/-115)
The Islanders have been so up and down over the last few weeks. In the last month, they’ve won six straight, then lost six straight, and have now lost eight of their last ten, with the two surprising wins coming against Florida and Winnipeg. They still have a small chance at a playoff berth, but they can’t leave a game without points.
The Flyers have also been struggling lately, going just 2-5-2 over their last nine. The offense hasn’t been terrible, and they’re getting high-quality shots, but they are having some bad luck finding the back of the net. The goaltending has been lackluster recently, specifically, Samuel Ersson, who has a .803 save percentage and 4.33 goals allowed over his last three games.
Both teams desperately need two points as the Flyers are clinging onto the last Wild Card spot, and the Islanders are five games off that pace. Both matchups previously have been low-scoring, and neither offense has been performing well in their recent games, so look for another low-scoring game.
Pick: Under 6 Total Goals (-115)
Detroit Red Wings (+160) at Tampa Bay Lightning (-192) | O/U 6.5 (-110/-110)
The Lightning have picked a perfect time to have everything clicking. This team has stayed in playoff contention all year, but are now surging. Currently, they are holding the first Wild Card spot, but they are a team that just needs to get in, and they can make things happen. They’re on a great run, going 8-0-1, and scoring three or more goals in each.
The Red Wings have fallen badly over the last few weeks and are 3-10-2 in their last 15 games. They were never good defensively, but the offense was one of the best to start the season, they’re averaging 2.26 goals over their last 15 compared to 3.61 before that.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is playing his best hockey of the season, allowing one goal in three of his last four games. Add to how great the Bolts offense has been, and they should handle the Red Wings.
Pick: Lightning 60-Minute Moneyline (-120)
Pittsburgh Penguins (+164) at New York Rangers (-198) | O/U 6 (-115/-105)
The Rangers are in great form as they look to win the Presidents’ Trophy. They are coming into this game having won five straight and ten of their last 12. The underlying 5-on-5 numbers aren’t great, but their top lines are as dangerous as anyone else in the league, and of course, they have a fantastic blue line and goaltending unit.
The Penguins’ season has been marked with inconsistent play, and it recently showed as they blew two third-period multiple-goal leads last week. The offense has been abysmal, with Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby being the only two forwards with double-digit points over their last ten games.
The Blueshirts didn’t have their best performance against the Pens in the last game and were a little sloppy on the defensive side, but they still were able to get a multiple-goal win.
Pick: Rangers 60-Minute Moneyline (-120)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday: