Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (2/13)
With football season in the books, itâs the NHLâs turn to take the spotlight for the next few months. We have a stacked 11-game slate on the ice tonight, and below, Iâll break down three of those games from a betting perspective.
Here are my top three NHL bets for Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Tuesdayâs NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
Colorado Avalanche (-165) @ Washington Capitals (+140) | O/U 6.5 (+105/-125)
Tonightâs action gets underway with a cross-conference battle in the nationâs capital as the Avalanche square off against the Capitals. Colorado has lost four straight games (0-3-1), dropping them to second in the Central Division at 32-17-4 (68 points). Washingtonâs currently sixth in the Metro, sitting at 23-20-8 (54 points). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The biggest issue with the Capitals this season has been their offense. At this point of the season, theyâre still ranked just 30th in scoring (2.4 GPG) and 28th on the power play (14.79%). Theyâre also 29th in 5-on-5 goals this season, lighting the lamp only 81 times when both teams are at full strength. Furthermore, Washington has scored three goals in just one of their last four games, averaging 2.25 goals per contest over the four-game sample.
With Washingtonâs offensive struggles, I canât see this game reaching seven goals. Theyâll welcome an Avs side thatâs sliding right now, losing four straight games. Colorado was shutout last time out (2-0 against Florida), and theyâre averaging only 1.5 goals per game over the four-game skid. Ultimately, this totalâs a little too high for two struggling offenses, so Iâll be on the under tonight in D.C.
Bet: Under 6.5 (-125)
Anaheim Ducks (+110) @ Montreal Canadiens (-130) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-120)
The Ducks open up a four-game road trip tonight, which features stops in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Buffalo. Theyâre currently seventh in the Pacific with a record of 18-31-2 (38 points). Meanwhile, Montreal resides in seventh place in the Atlantic, owning a 21-23-8 (50 points) record. This contest is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
This total is 0.5 goals too high, in my opinion. Neither of these offenses has been overpowering this season, so Iâll play the under in Montreal. The Habs are ranked 28th offensively (2.7 GPG), while the Ducks are right below them at 29th (2.6 GPG). As for their power play units, theyâre ranked 19th (19.41%) and 21st (18.99%), respectively.
Surprisingly, both defenses rank in the middle third of the league regarding 5-on-5 goals allowed. Montrealâs 14th (103), while Anaheimâs 18th (106). With Anaheim still missing Trevor Zegras and Alex Killhorn, along with Mason McTavish being day-to-day, I donât anticipate Anaheimâs offense finding much success. Montrealâs a team that takes care of business when theyâre favored, where theyâre 3-1 as a betting favorite. I expect them to put the clamps on defensively and for this game to come in under the total.
Bet: Under 6.5 (-120)
Vancouver Canucks (-292) @ Chicago Blackhawks (+235) | O/U 6.0 (+105/-125)
Vancouver is on an insane run this season, and they enter tonightâs game as the best team in the league at 35-12-6 (76 points). The Canucks will take on the Blackhawks, who are comfortably in the cellar of the Central at 14-35-3 (31 points). Puck drop from the United Center in Chicago is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Canucks havenât been overly dominant over the last few weeks, considering theyâre 6-1-3 in their last 10 games. Theyâve won just two of those games by multiple goals. However, one of those two games was a 2-0 victory against the visiting Blackhawks back on Jan. 22. Additionally, Vancouver is the second-best team on the puck line this season, going 33-20. They trail only Philadelphia (34-20) in the category.
Ultimately, these teams are trending in completely opposite directions. This feels like a great spot to lay the 1.5 goals with the Canucks. Theyâll have a favorable matchup against the wounded Hawks team without Connor Bedard for another week. Chicago also has a trio of defensemen on the injury list in Jarred Tinordi, Connor Murphy and Nikita Zaitsev. Theyâll have to lean on depth defenders to elevate their game, and hosting the leagueâs best offense (3.7 GPG) isnât an ideal spot for them to get their feet underneath them. Look for the Canucks to secure an easy two points tonight in the Windy City.
Bet: Vancouver Canucks -1.5 (-110)
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