Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (3/2)
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)
Winnipeg Jets (+120) at Carolina Hurricanes (-142) | O/U 5.5 (-112/-108)
The Jets have been incredible lately, as they're 7-2-0 in their last nine. The big reason is because of Connor Hellebuyck's phenomenal season. He's currently a large favorite to win his second Vezina trophy and is leading all goalies with 31.3 goals saved above expected. They are solid offensively, tenth in expected goals at even strength, with seven players having double-digit goals, but they look to their defense to win.
What makes the Hurricanes so good is they can do it either way. Their 55.82% expected goals in all situations are third and show how well-balanced the top team is. The defense has been shining as 25.5 shots allowed per game leads the league, and lately, the goaltending has been on lock, with Pyotr Kochetkov and Spencer Martin allowing 1.91 goals per game over their last 12.
This should be a great defensive matchup, but both offenses are good enough that the total could go either way. Carolina has a deeper roster of forwards and a better blue line, so look for them to take this one at home.
Pick: Hurricanes Moneyline (-140)
Boston Bruins (-130) at New York Islanders (+110) | O/U 5.5 (-125/+105)
After looking so dominant for most of the season, the Bruins have hit a rough patch. They've only won three games over their last seven, but they've come away with at least a point in each their last eight. The big reason is that the goaltending that was, early on, the best has struggled. Linus Ullmark will be between the pipes, and he's gone 0-0-4 with a .889 save percentage over his last four games.
The Islanders are coming into this game with back-to-back wins, but they've been brutal overall. Patrick Roy is having mixed results, and while the team has looked better, it has not resulted in wins. Ilya Sorokin will be in the net, and it's been his worst season; his 11 overtime losses are already the most of his career, he’s eight goals away from allowing the most, and he has his worst goals allowed per game and save percentage.
Boston should be the favorite, but they aren't playing well enough to confidently back, while the Islanders just beat the Stars and Red Wings on the road. It’s odd to look at the pedigree of these two goalies and fade them, but neither is playing well.
Pick: Over 5.5 Total Goals (-125)
Colorado Avalanche (-135) at Nashville Predators (+114) | O/U 6.5 (-108/-112)
Nashville has been hot coming into this game, winning seven straight. The Predators’ offense has been better than expected; they're 51.31% in expected goal shares and are getting phenomenal performances from Filip Forsberg (61 points) and Roman Josi (second-most goals amongst defensemen), while Ryan O'Reilly's first season in Nashville has been great with 50 points. We're also finally seeing the Juuse Saros we expected; he's won his last five decisions with a .953 save percentage.
The Avalanche have been very streaky recently, as this team is living or dying by the offense. Over the last two games, they've scored ten goals (granted, against a struggling Jake Oettinger) and the Blackhawks are allowing the third-most goals in the league. The top line is carrying the entire offense as Nathan McKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Arthur Lehkonen are the only forwards over six points in the last ten games.
Alexandar Georgiev has been playing well, himself, in the cage for Colorado. We could see a lower-scoring game even with some great pieces on both sides.
Pick: Under 6.5 Total Goals (-112)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday: