Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (11/5)
With the NFL and NBA off today, the NHL takes center stage with an 11-game slate. I've narrowed in on three games from a betting perspective, detailing why these are my three favorite bets on the ice.
Tuesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
Boston Bruins (+105) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (-125) | O/U 5.5 (-110/-110)
The Bruins (6-6-1) have rattled off two straight wins. They now hit the road to take on a divisional opponent in the Maple Leafs (6-5-2). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
This will be the second meeting between these two teams this year. It was the B's who escaped with a 4-3 overtime win at home back on October 26th. I think we'll have a different result this time around, so I'll ride with the Maple Leafs on the Moneyline. Mostly, I'm just not too high on Boston right now. They're ranked 26th in scoring (2.6 goals per game) and 19th on defense (3.00 goals against average).
Furthermore, Toronto has been better in terms of expected goals on both offense and defense. The Leafs enter tonight's action sitting 10th in both expected goals per 60 minutes (3.21) and expected goals against per 60 minutes (2.83), while the Bruins are 18th (3.04) and 23rd (3.2) in those respective categories. I like the physicality and structure Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has instilled in this Toronto squad. I still believe they have the upper hand in overall skill. I'll lay the juice with the Leafs tonight.
Bet: Maple Leafs Moneyline (-125)
Pittsburgh Penguins (+110) vs. New York Islanders (-130) | O/U 6.0 (-115/-105)
The Islanders (4-6-2) are in the midst of a 1-4-0 stretch. They will try to turn things around when they host the Penguins (5-7-1) tonight. This Metropolitan Division tilt is scheduled for 7:30 ET from UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.
While the Penguins have had some issues defensively this year, they appear to be turning things around as they're 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA over their last two games. They'll take on another lowly offense tonight in the Islanders, so I expect them to stay sharp defensively. I'm taking the under in Elmont tonight.
The Isles have been atrocious in terms of offensive production. They're ranked 31st in scoring (3.2 goals per game) and 29th on the power play (12.50%). During their current 1-4-0 run, New York is averaging only 2.0 goals per game. However, on the defensive side, they've held up well. The Islanders are still a top-10 defense, allowing only 2.67 goals per contest (eighth). It's confirmed Alex Nedeljkovic (2.75 GAA, .903 SV%) will take on Ilya Sorokin (2.29 GAA, .922 SV%) in the goaltending battle. I expect goals to be at a premium here. Give me the under.
Bet: Under 6.0 Goals (-105)
Los Angeles Kings (+150) vs. Minnesota Wild (-178) | O/U 6.0 (-105/-115)
Let's wrap things up in Minnesota, where the Kings (7-3-3) are set to take on the Wild (8-1-2) following a 3-0 shutout win against the Predators in Nashville last night. This Western Conference clash gets underway at 8:00 p.m. ET from the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN.
I'll go ahead and play the under in this game. Let's start with the best stat out there - these two teams both rank inside the top five in terms of expected goals against per 60 minutes. They're both tied for second at 2.51 expected goals against. The only team better right now is Winnipeg (2.49).
Additionally, it's confirmed Filip Gustavsson will handle the netminding work for the Wild tonight. The Swedish-born goalie has been electric this year, going 6-1-1 with a 2.12 GAA (third) and .924 SV% (fourth). He heads up the league's fourth-best defense, a unit allowing only 2.36 goals per game. Both teams have displayed excellent defensive structure recently. I think we're in for another low-scoring affair in the Twin Cities tonight and am locking in the under.
Bet: Under 6.0 Goals (-115)