Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (2/20)
The NHL rolls out an eight-game slate tonight, and I’ve sifted through the schedule and narrowed in on three bets that I love. Let’s dive into these three games and check out my top plays in the NHL.
Tuesday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
New Jersey Devils (-170) at Washington Capitals (+143) | 6.5 (-105/-115)
Tonight’s action begins with a Metropolitan Division showdown between the Capitals and the Devils. New Jersey enters this game in fourth place in the division at 28-22-4 (60 points) while Washington is currently in sixth at 24-21-7 (55 points). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Things are starting to unravel in the nation’s capital as the Caps have lost eight of their last 10 games (2-6-2). The one thing that was holding up well was their goaltending. However, the netminding has fallen off considering the Capitals have allowed an average of 4.6 goals per game over the 10-game sample size.
Now they’ll welcome a New Jersey offense that’s still one of the best in the league, netting 3.4 goals per game (9th). They’re also a respectable 13th on the power play at 22.89%. Meanwhile, do we even need to discuss the Devils’ abysmal defense? They’re just 24th in overall defense, conceding 3.13 goals per contest. With New Jersey’s high-energy style of play combined with both teams’ slumping defense, I think we’re in for quite a bit of scoring in this one. I’ll play the over.
Bet: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-105)
Minnesota Wild (+130) at Winnipeg Jets (-155) | 6.0 (+100/-120)
The Wild and the Jets are both coming in on the second night of a back-to-back. Perhaps you saw that Minnesota took care of Vancouver in a 10-7 game yesterday, setting their franchise record for most goals scored in a game. The Jets lost 6-3 to the Flames in Calgary. This divisional clash is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB.
Both of these teams played to the Over yesterday, so now that we’ll likely get backup goalies in each crease, I’m locking in the Over to cash again. It’s confirmed that Marc-Andre Fleury will be between the pipes tonight. He gave up two goals over one period of relief work against Vancouver last night. The veteran has been playing well, but Minnesota’s defense is still one of the bottom-tier units in the league. Minnesota’s just 25th overall, conceding 3.18 goals per game.
On the flip side, it’s unconfirmed who will be in net for the Jets. Whoever gets the start will have to deal with a Wild offense that’s on an upward trend. They’re 5-0-1 in their last six games, averaging 4.2 goals per game. Finally, factor in that both teams are entering on zero days of rest and I can see this game getting loose. Let’s take a shot on the Over.
Bet: Over 6 Total Goals (+100)
Vancouver Canucks (+122) at Colorado Avalanche (-145) | 6.5 (-120/+100)
The marquee matchup of the night pits the Canucks against the Avalanche. Vancouver boasts the league’s best record at 37-14-6 (80 points) while Colorado is currently second in the Central Division at 34-18-4 (72 points). Puck drop is slated for 9:00 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, CO.
The handicap is pretty simple in this game. We’re getting two of the top three offenses in the league squaring off tonight. Colorado has taken the top spot in the NHL in terms of offensive production, scoring 3.7 goals per game. Vancouver’s third on the list, also averaging 3.7 goals per game. On the power play, these two clubs rank eighth (23.79%) and 10th (23.24%), respectively.
If you could point to an issue with the Avalanche this season, it’s their defense and goaltending. Alexander Georgiev will likely get the nod tonight, and he’s 29-13-3 but owns a 2.94 GAA (32nd) and .898 SV% (37th). That shouldn’t make the Colorado faithful too confident considering he’ll be tasked with slowing down the league’s best 5-on-5 shooting team, where they make 12.02% of their shots. We should see a ton of scoring tonight in Denver, I’ll predict somewhere in the 5-4 range. Let’s take the Over.
Bet: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-120)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday: