Top NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (3/21)
We’re back with another double-digit slate on Thursday night in the NHL. Last week, we managed another 2-1 record with our best bets.
The New York Rangers took two separate leads before imploding in the third period, winding up losing 6-3 on the road against a retooled Tampa Bay Lightning team. Carolina dominated Florida in a 4-0 shutout, which led to us cashing under 5.5 total goals, while the New Jersey Devils poured in six goals against Dallas in a surprising 6-2 road win to cash over 6.5 total goals.
There are some marquee matchups on tap for Thursday’s slate and we’re going to explore a couple of NHL betting markets in a few of these games to churn out another profitable week on the ice. Make sure to follow Matt MacKay on Twitter to get more free plays and NHL best bets.
Thursday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
New York Rangers (+120) vs. Boston Bruins (-144) | O/U 5.5 (-120/-102)
We’re heading right to one of the best games on Thursday’s slate between two Eastern Conference powerhouse teams. The New York Rangers travel to TD Garden to face the Boston Bruins as underdogs, sitting at +120 odds on the moneyline. Boston has rattled off three consecutive wins, albeit against sub-par opponents like Montreal, Philadelphia, and Ottawa.
The Bruins are 5-1 SU in their last six games, while the Rangers are coming off of a 4-2 loss at home to Winnipeg. New York hasn’t lost back-to-back games outright since they opened the month with losses to Florida and Toronto. However, in both previous head-to-head matchups this season, including one in Boston, the Rangers have prevailed. At plus odds, we’re obligated to stake a unit on the Rangers’ +120 moneyline odds against the Bruins on Thursday night.
Bet: New York Rangers Moneyline (+120)
Nashville Predators (+152) vs. Florida Panthers (-184) | O/U 6.5 (+110/-134)
Nashville and Florida is our next stop, which should provide plenty of fireworks. The Predators are 8-0-2 SU in their last 10 games, while the Panthers have lost back-to-back games against Carolina and Tampa Bay. Nashville enters this road contest at +152 on their moneyline odds, while oddsmakers are leaning toward under 6.5 total goals.
Juuse Saros and Sergei Bobrovsky are two quality netminders, while both offenses are 11th and 12th in goals scored per game. Florida has won each of their last nine games against Nashville following a loss, while all eight of the Predators’ last games at Amerant Bank Arena after a win have gone under the total goal line. These teams have only met once this season head-to-head, two months ago in Nashville, where the Predators lost 4-1.
Nashville has allowed two or fewer goals in five of their last six games, so we’re going to wager under 6.5 total goals at -134 odds.
Bet: Under 6.5 Total Goals (-134)
Buffalo Sabres (+188) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-230) | O/U 6.5 (+108/-132)
Buffalo’s late playoff push will be tested on the road against Edmonton on Thursday night. The Oilers are heavy moneyline favorites at -230 odds, following the Sabres’ 3-2 loss to Vancouver on Tuesday. After ripping off three wins in a row, Buffalo has since gone 1-2 SU, including an ugly 4-1 loss to Detroit.
Edmonton isn’t as desperate, sitting comfortably in second-place in the Pacific Division. Stuart Skinner is already confirmed in the crease for the Oilers, which makes sense, as he’s allowed two or less goals in five of his past six starts. Buffalo’s goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, is also a stalwart in between the pipes. The Sabres benefit from his presence, but the Oilers’ high-octane offense will likely put up 30-plus shots like they did a couple of weeks ago during Buffalo’s 3-2 overtime win.
We’re wrapping up this slate by betting on under 6.5 total goals in this matchup. Good goaltending is everything and both sides have it. The Sabres are 26-41-3 toward the under, while the Oilers favor the under as well at 25-36-5. 6.5 is too high for a goal total in this contest, so while both teams are capable of pouring in goals, this projects to be a gritty contest on the ice in Edmonton on Thursday night.
Bet: Under 6.5 Total Goals (-132)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.