Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (3/16)
We are now in the second half of the season. Let's analyze today's matchups and give you the best bets.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Carolina Hurricanes (-110) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-110) | O/U 6 (-125/+105)
The Hurricanes look like a top-to-bottom premiere team not only in the Eastern Conference but in the league. They have been the only team to contain the red-hot Panthers, shutting them out twice over the last few weeks. They have a deep roster: 14 players with 24 or more points and 11 with double-digit goals. This is even without their newly acquired star forward, Jake Guentzel, who is out with an injury.
Toronto isn’t too far behind them in terms of supremacy in the league. They are 16-5-0 in their last 21, with a +23 goal differential in that time. Don't look at Ilya Samsonov's overall numbers because he was terrible at the start of the season. He's been a wall over the last few weeks, going 13-2-0, allowing 2.33 goals per game with a .914 save percentage.
Both offenses are fantastic, but we've seen their blue lines and goaltending play a bigger part in recent wins. We're getting six on a plus moneyline, which is great bet to take with the chance of pushing.
Pick: Under 6 Total Goals (+105)
Tampa Bay Lightning (+142) at Florida Panthers (-170) | O/U 6 (-120/+100)
Speaking of Carolina's last opponent, that loss doesn't mean the Panthers aren't still one of the league’s best teams. They still lead with a 57.32% expected goal share and third in expected goals against per 60. What makes this offense so good is how well they control the puck in every scenario. They're third in expected goals at even strength and second on the power play, with their 26.8 conversion rate being second.
Guess who's power play is first? It's Florida's opponent at 29.4%. Both teams are in the top ten in penalty kills, so they could cancel each other out. Tampa Bay's offense overall is still fantastic, especially with Nikita Kucherov, and his 112 points are second. This could be a game where Panthers transactions could bite them; they traded Anthony Duclair last year to the Sharks, he was recently dealt to the Lightning and has two goals and an assist in two games so far.
The Panthers have yet to play the Bolts in American Bank, and they've won both games and outscored them 13-4. The Lightning's defense has been a little better recently by allowing under 30 shots in five of their last seven, but only Philadelphia and Buffalo are in the top ten in shots on goal, and neither is scoring over three goals per game. Florida has the most SOG and is scoring 3.27 goals per game.
Pick: Panthers 60-Minute Moneyline (-115)
Colorado Avalanche (+110) at Edmonton Oilers (-130) | O/U 6.5 (-135/+114)
We have to talk about this game because it has the potential to be an exciting one. The Avalanche are on a fantastic run, winning five straight and seven of eight. Aside from the game against Nashville, the offense has been fantastic and is averaging an unreal 4.36 goals per game. They have been relying heavily on the top line; in a ten-game span, Valeri Nichushkin has 11 points (8G 3A), Cale Makar has 13 (4G 9A), Mikko Rantanen with 19 (5G 14A), and Hart Trophy favorite Nathan MacKinnon has 23 (9G 14A).
The Oilers have their own lineup of playmakers. They are playing just as well, going 7-1-1 in their last nine and averaging 3.55 goals in that span. Their big three have been tough to stop; over their last ten, Connor McDavid has 19 points (4G 15A), Leon Draisaitl has 16 (5G 11A), and Zach Hyman has 11 goals.
Although it's St. Patrick’s weekend, that lamp will light red like Rudolph's nose.
Pick: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-135)