NHL Picks

The red-hot Boston Bruins will be visiting the Florida Panthers on Thursday night. The Bruins come into this game riding a 4-game winning streak and they are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. They are comfortably sitting in the first wildcard position, with a 6-point cushion on the Columbus Blue Jackets who occupy the second wildcard spot. Despite not having many household names aside from David Pastrnak amongst their forward group, the Bruins are a very good offensive team, averaging 3.36 goals per game. They will be going up against the 5th-worst defensive team in the league in the Panthers, who allow an average 3.32 goals per game. The Bruins are 0-2 against the Panthers this season, and they can’t afford to get swept in the season series.

I like the Bruins to get it done on Thursday night, as they will be the hungrier team with still something left to play for this season. Look for Pastrnak and Swayman to have strong games and lead the way for them.

Bruins vs. Panthers prediction: Boston Bruins ML (-155) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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The Ottawa Senators couldn’t be farther from their stretch in the middle of March that saw them win 6 of 7 games and catapult themselves back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Since then, they’ve lost 3 in a row in devastating fashion, including a loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday that saw them go down 5-0 in the first period against a team with nearly half of their regulars on injured reserve. To make matters worse, issues with their starting goaltender, Linus Ullmark, have made the end of their season one clouded in drama.

It’d be hard for a team to get back up off the mat in these circumstances, but thanks to some favorable results around the league, the Senators are still only 2 points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild card. They also have the advantage in the tiebreaker format, which still leaves them in the driver’s seat to steal a playoff spot and potentially play the team they are facing on Thursday evening in the first round.

The Buffalo Sabres had also hit a wall, losing 3 in a row towards the end of March, but bounced back recently with 2 consecutive wins to get back in the first spot in the Atlantic Division. Every game going forward for the Sabres will be crucial with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens chasing them for the top spot. However, the Senators have shown an ability all season to pull off an unlikely win to keep their chances alive, and I think they do it again tonight with all eyes on how Ullmark will play.

Sabres vs Senators prediction: Senators ML (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number. 

The Carolina Hurricanes will be hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets, who come into this game riding a 4-game losing streak. Things won’t get any easier for the Blue Jackets going up against the Hurricanes, who are 26-10-2 on home ice this season. What makes the Hurricanes difficult to play against is their relentless forecheck in the offensive zone. On top of this, they are good at capitalizing on their scoring chances, as they are the 4th-best offensive team in the league — averaging 3.49 goals per game.

At the other end of the ice, the Hurricanes play a very tight defensive game, limiting their opponents to only 24 shots on goal per game — which is the best in the NHL. The Hurricanes are also dominant against teams within their division. Their record against Metropolitan Division opponents is 17-4-1 on the season. For my money, the Hurricanes are a much more complete and well put together team than the Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets are in a tight playoff race, and I expect them to play desperately. However, they are going up against a better team in the Hurricanes. Give me Carolina in this one.

Blue Jackets vs Hurricanes prediction: Hurricanes ML (-185) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night. Both of these teams sit just 2 points out of the playoffs, meaning this is a huge game for each of them. The Flyers won the first head-to-head meeting by a score of 5-3. Coming into today’s game, the Red Wings have lost 4 of their last 5 games. In that span, they have allowed 19 goals while scoring just 13 goals. The issues for the Red Wings have been present all year, as they are averaging 2.89 goals per game with a shot percentage of 10.2%. Additionally, the Red Wings have lost 4 of their last 5 games away from home and have only scored 12 goals through those games. The Red Wings will need a major spark on offense in this one.

For the Flyers, they have won 3 of their last 5 and 7 of their last 10. They are in playoff mode and that has been clear, as they have scored 33 goals while allowing just 24 goals in those 10 games. The biggest issue for the Flyers is staying out of the penalty box considering they have given up 49 power play goals this season. If they can play a clean game, the momentum they bring into this one should carry them through. I am taking the Flyers on the money line.

Red Wings vs Flyers prediction: Philadelphia ML (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers are set to meet for the 3rd and final time of the season on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have won the previous 2 meetings by scores of 4-3 and 5-4 in overtime, with both games going over the total. However, things could be different the 3rd time around. Both of these teams are playing excellent defense and getting sensational goaltending from their netminders.

The Rangers are riding a 3-game win streak, and have allowed just a single goal in all 3 games. On the other side, the Canadiens are riding a 6-game win streak and have held their opponents to just 1 goal in 4 straight games. Furthermore, they’ve held their opponents to 2 or fewer goals in 5 consecutive games.

It’s no secret that the Rangers have struggled to score goals on home ice all season long. Specifically, New York is scoring a measly 2.35 goals per game at home, which is the lowest mark in the NHL. Furthermore, the New York power play is converting at just an 18.7% clip at Madison Square Garden. The Canadiens aren’t the most sound defensive team out there, but they should be able to slow the Rangers down. Given the way that both teams are playing defensively right now, the under is the play.

Canadiens vs Rangers prediction: Under 6.5 (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have been on a path of destruction, playing spoiler in an Eastern Conference playoff race that once looked like it was going to come down to the final days. Instead, the Penguins knocked off the Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, and Detroit Red Wings in 3 of their last 4 games, opening up a gap in the postseason race that could severely dampen the spirits of hockey fans who were hoping for an exciting finish.

The one loss the Penguins had was against a Dallas Stars team that was in search of a win to break a slump and was looking to get back on the right track before a possible deep playoff run. This is where the Tampa Bay Lightning come in, as they are in danger of losing home ice in the first round after a costly loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Lightning are now 2 points back of the Buffalo Sabres for first in the Atlantic Division and only 2 points ahead of the Canadiens.

A highly-motivated and ticked-off Lightning team with Andrei Vasilevskiy in between the pipes against a Penguins team that could be resting on their laurels a bit after some big wins with Stuart Skinner in their goal is a mismatch that we can exploit on Thursday evening. Take Tampa Bay to win this game by a couple of goals in an attempt to get back on the right track.

Penguins vs Lightning prediction: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+145) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number. 

The New Jersey Devils will be looking to play the spoiler role when they host the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. Whereas Washington is in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, New Jersey is close to being eliminated. Still, the Devils are playing hard and will continue to do so until they are mathematically eliminated — especially with a Metropolitan Division rival coming to town. That is part of the reason why my Capitals vs Devils prediction is for the home team to prevail. New Jersey is 10-5-0 in its last 15 contests. It fell at the Rangers 4-1 on Tuesday but has not lost back-to-back games since March 12. The Devils have lost back-to-back games only once since February 26. The Hughes brothers continue to roll along nicely. Jack had 2 goals and 2 assists in a 5-3 win over Chicago this past Sunday and has produced multiple points in 5 of the last 8 outings; Luke has dished out an assist in 2 straight games.

Washington is on a 3-game winning streak, but it’s worth noting that it has allowed 12 goals during this stretch. Logan Thompson has started 8 consecutive contests and 12 of the last 13, so you have to think fatigue could be a factor. However, with his team needing every win it can get, Thompson is expected to mind the net again on Thursday. Devils primary goaltender Jakob Markstrom is the anticipated starter for the home side, but his recent workload has been nowhere near the extent of his counterpart’s. Finally, the Caps are 15-17-4 on the road this season compared to 23-11-5 in Washington. This is a great spot for the Devils to inflict what could be a crippling loss on their division rivals.

Capitals vs Devils prediction: New Jersey ML (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Vancouver Canucks conclude their 4-game road trip with a matchup against the Minnesota Wild. Recently, the Canucks achieved something that few teams can boast—they defeated the Colorado Avalanche in regulation, scoring eight goals in the process. While we shouldn’t expect such a high-scoring game from a team that averages fewer than 2.6 goals per game, there’s a chance they might keep this match competitive.

The Wild are the stronger team and are likely to start the game with great intensity. They trail Dallas by 6 points for 2nd place in the division, so it’s crucial for them to secure wins to gain home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Minnesota has experienced 12 overtime losses this season, underscoring how vital each point is at this stage. Many teams are willing to push past 60 minutes to earn at least 1 point.

On the other hand, the Canucks are at the bottom of the standings and have nothing to lose, which could keep the game close. Considering the value in this situation, we’re leaning towards Vancouver, as the odds are too good to pass up.

Canucks vs Wild prediction: Vancouver +1.5 (+140) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

The Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets clash for an important Central Division matchup in the NHL on Thursday. As Winnipeg desperately surges to a playoff position, Dallas is in a battle for home-ice advantages, so there is plenty to play for tonight. To get you ready for this upcoming hockey action, here is our expert Jets vs. Stars prediction.

Winnipeg has been far hotter than Dallas, with a 4-1-1 record in their last 6, and while they are fighting for their lives, this will be a big challenge for them. Winnipeg has struggled on the road this season, winning just 13 of 35 appearances. Even with a playoff spot locked up, the Stars are both in range of the NHL lead, but also need to ensure the Minnesota Wild do not catch them. They will also be looking to return to the win column and build momentum after some recent shaky play. Both teams are dealing with injuries, and while Dallas may have a longer list, they have a deeper team with far more star talent taking the ice. Dallas has owned Winnipeg this season, winning all 3 contests, and I see them sweeping the season series in this game. We are siding with Dallas on the money line for our Jets vs. Stars prediction.

Jets vs. Stars prediction: Stars ML (-165) available at time of publishing. Playable to (-180)

The Chicago Blackhawks are making their final trip of the season to Edmonton to face the Oilers. Chicago has lost 4 consecutive games and has struggled defensively, allowing a significant number of goals. Their defensive unit is still a work in progress, and the goaltending has also been subpar. When a team gives up 30 shots, it’s likely that some will end up in the net, which could be the case tonight.

On the other hand, the Oilers have won 4 straight games, averaging 4 goals per game during this stretch. With Connor Ingram in goal, there has been a slight improvement for Edmonton. While it may not be a dramatic change, any stability in the blue paint is welcomed. The Oilers’ power play is highly effective, but Chicago boasts one of the best penalty kills in the league. If the game comes down to 5-on-5 play, the Oilers still likely hold the advantage. Hopefully, it won’t take an empty-net goal for them to cover the Puck Line.

Blackhawks vs Oilers prediction: Edmonton -1.5 (+115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

The Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights meet on Thursday night in the NHL. These Pacific Division rivals have met three times this season, where Vegas has secured two wins, and have outscored them 13-9 over the three games. It is time for our Flames vs. Golden Knights prediction to see how their final meeting of the season will go.

Just three days ago, Vegas made a major splash by firing their head coach and hiring John Tortarella. He started his tenure with a 4-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks, and I don’t see this train stopping. Vegas is a stacked team, but needed a major message sent to the team as they were mightily underperforming. Message sent, and so far message delivered. Now Vegas remains on home ice for the fourth-straight game, and will have their fans behind them as they look to regain ground in the standings over the last seven games. Calgary is near the bottom of the league standings, and have sold off a long list of assets, including Rasmus Andersson to these Golden Knights. There is a clear roster mismatch, and if the Golden Knights can’t win this one, even more serious questions will arise. We are siding with Vegas dominating and winning by at least two goals. Take Vegas -1.5  for our Flames vs. Golden Knights prediction.

Flames vs Golden Knights prediction: Golden Knights -1.5 (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable at that line to -115.

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their California trip with a stop in San Jose to face the Sharks. This season, Toronto has fallen well short of expectations, and realistically, they aim to finish in the bottom five to protect their first-round pick for the upcoming draft. While they won’t intentionally try to lose, their effort most nights has been commendable. However, they allow the most shots against while generating few quality chances.

The Sharks are playing their second game in as many nights and their third in four days. Even if fatigue begins to set in, this team will want to give it their all. They have won three consecutive games and find themselves back in the playoff hunt. It may be cliché, but every game down the stretch feels like a “must-win” for them. They have a chance to secure two more points against a weaker opponent at home, where they have a solid 19-12-5 record. Expect to see urgency from San Jose right from the opening puck drop.

Maple Leafs vs Sharks prediction: Sharks ML (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number or better.

The Utah Mammoth are in Seattle on Thursday night to take on the Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Utah currently owns the second wild card spot in the Western Conference with 82 points on the season, while Seattle is 3 points outside of a playoff spot with 75 points. The Kraken have had plenty of opportunities to move up in the standings and grab a firm hold on a playoff spot, but they are stumbling down the stretch. They are just 3-5-2 over their last 10 games and have won just 4 of their 14 games since the beginning of March. Finding consistent goal-scoring continues to be an issue, as Seattle ranks 26th in the NHL scoring 2.81 goals per game and has been held to 2 goals or fewer in 5 of its last 7 games.

Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka is 2nd in the NHL with 33 wins on the season, and the Utah defense in front of him has been solid all season long. The Mammoth prioritize preventing high-danger chances, which has helped take the pressure of Vejmelka between the pipes. The Mammoth have won the previous 2 matchups between these teams this season by scores of 5-3 and 6-3, and I expect them to complete the season sweep tonight. Seattle is a difficult team to trust right now, which makes Utah moneyline the play.

Mammoth vs Kraken prediction: Utah Mammoth ML (-135) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Kings host the Nashville Predators for a Western Conference showdown in the NHL. These teams are neck and neck in the race for playoff positioning, so this game holds major importance. Here is our Predators vs. Kings prediction to get you ready.

After a dominant run by Nashville (6-1-1), they have completely cooled off and have lost three-straight games. Now they hit the road to take on a Kings team that has secured valuable points in four of their last five games (2-1-2). In their only matchup this season, Nashville came out on top, but I expect the opposite outcome here. Nashville’s inability to keep the puck out of the net this season has me concerned, and opens the door to a middling Kings offense to perform. The Predators have the fifth-highest goals against average (3.31), a weak save percentage (.895), and have given up the seventh-highest amount of shots this season (2186). Their defenses were stabilizing earlier in March, but have given up 11 goals over their last three games (3.67 per game), which is an issue that looks to be creeping back. Los Angeles has lots to prove, and with two wins in their last three games, I feel some momentum starting to build. I am siding with Los Angeles on the money line for our Predators vs. Kings prediction.

Predators vs. Kings prediction: Kings ML (-125) available at time of publishing. Playable to -140.