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Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (3/19)

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The NHL is back with a massive 13-game slate tonight, which provides us with plenty of ways to get some skin in the game. Here are my three favorite bets on the ice tonight. 

Our NHL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet assists bettors by comparing lines from leading sportsbooks with our daily projections >>

Tuesday’s NHL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)

Ottawa Senators (+185) @ Boston Bruins (-225) | O/U 6.0 (-115/-105)

The night opens up with an Atlantic Division clash between the Senators and Bruins. Boston is leading the division with 95 points, while Ottawa resides in the cellar with only 60 points. Puck drop from the TD Garden in Boston is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. 

My initial idea was to play the over on Boston’s team total at 3.5 (-125), but if they’re going to score four goals, then they should have no issue stretching this one to a multi-goal lead. So, I’ll instead opt for the plus-money payout that comes with the Bruins -1.5. This allows us to factor in Boston’s defense, which is seventh overall, conceding only 2.64 goals per contest.

The crux of this handicap is Ottawa’s abysmal defense. They enter tonight’s action ranked 30th in overall defense, allowing 3.39 goals per game. Their penalty kill also comes in at 30th (73.47%). In terms of current form, the Sens recently rattled off a three-game win streak, but they were back to their losing ways last time out against the Hurricanes in a 7-2 beatdown. Ottawa’s now just 3-7-1 in their last 11 games, and they’ve failed to cover the puck line in five of those contests.

Bet: Boston Bruins -1.5 (+115)

Tampa Bay Lightning (+115) @ Vegas Golden Knights (-135) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)

The night continues with a heavyweight tilt out west as the Golden Knights host the Lightning for a cross-conference showdown. Both teams are fourth in their respective divisions, with Tampa leading with 78 points and Vegas with 79. This one gets underway at 10:00 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

It will be the second meeting between these two organizations, as the first game ended in a 5-4 victory for Tampa back on Dec. 21. I think we’re in for another goal-fest this time around, so I’ll play the over. It’s unconfirmed who will start in net tonight for Vegas, but it should be Adin Hill since the Knights haven’t played since Sunday (and Logan Thompson started that game). However, Hill hasn’t been in great form this month, going 2-3-0 in five starts while posting a 3.63 GAA and .887 SV%. 

Meanwhile, the Bolts enter this game riding a three-game winning streak, where they’ve out-scored their opposition 18-6 over the three-game sample size. They’ve climbed into the fourth spot in terms of offensive production, netting 3.5 goals per game this year. Tampa also brings in the league’s best power play, cashing 28.92% of their man-advantage opportunities. Finally, it’s worth pointing out that Tampa’s defense is still a little shaky, surrendering 3.13 goals per game (25th). Let’s play the over in Sin City tonight. 

Bet: Over 6.5 (-105)

Chicago Blackhawks (+300) @ Los Angeles Kings (-385) | O/U 5.5 (-115/-105)

Tonight’s NHL nightcap is a Western Conference battle between the Blackhawks and the Kings. Chicago is eighth in the Central Division (43 points), while Los Angeles has moved into third in the Pacific (79 points). Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. 

We’ve seen the Blackhawks’ offense breakout for five or more goals in four of their last six games. They’ve been victorious in all four contests. However, those performances have come against Arizona twice, Anaheim and San Jose. Their two losses over the 4-2-0 stretch have seen Chicago get out-scored 9-1 against the Capitals (4-1) and Kings (5-0) more recently. 

I think this is an excellent spot to play the plus-money payout that comes with the under on Chicago’s team total tonight. For starters, we have the head-to-head meeting against the Kings from Friday, where the Hawks were blanked 5-0 in the Windy City. Also, just prior to this 4-2-0 run for Chicago, they dropped seven straight games, scoring only 1.7 goals per game over the seven-game sample size. The Blackhawks are 31st in overall offense (2.2 GPG), while the Kings are third overall in defense (2.48 GAA). Let’s lock in the under for Chicago’s team total tonight. 

Bet: Chicago Blackhawks Team Total Under 1.5 (+129)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday:

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