NHL Picks

The Washington Capitals have three games remaining, and they have managed 89 points. Washington is mathematically alive for the postseason, but they’re five games back of the Ottawa Senators for the final wild-card spot. The Capitals are just 16-19-4 on the road this season, so this is a tall order. The Penguins, second in the Metropolitan Division, has managed a 20-12-8 mark at home. They’re six points clear of the Philadelphia Flyers for second place, so it appears the Penguins are locked into their seed. It remains to be seen how hard they’ll go with nothing much at stake.

Washington should be the more desperate team, as it needs to win out. However, will it be able to cobble together a rare strong effort on the road against a playoff-bound team? The Caps have a plus-12 goal differential on the season. The Penguins won the first meeting back in November as short underdogs as the Over (6.5) cashed. The Pens have won four of the past six meetings, too. Let’s back Pittsburgh to get the job done, nailing Washington’s coffin shut for the season.

Penguins ML (-125) at time of publishing. Playable to -130.

The Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10) meet the Los Angeles Kings (33-26-19) at Crypto.com Arena in a matinee game in Southern California. Edmonton holds a one-point lead in the Pacific Division over the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights, both with 89 points. The Los Angeles Kings also have an outside chance at moving up in the standings, sitting with 85 points with four games to go. They must have a win on Saturday, however, they’re just 14-17-9 at home this season, and it’s been a major anchor dragging the team down.

The Oilers have managed 90 points, while going 19-15-6 on the road. They hold a tenuous lead. It’s very possible we see the Oilers and Kings meet in the first-round of the playoffs yet again. These teams have been frequent combatants in recent seasons in the first round. Los Angeles has picked up points in five straight games, going 4-0-1 in the span, putting itself in the best possible position for a playoff shot. The Kings offense has been on fire lately, too, going for 4.0 goals per game (GPG) in the past five games. Edmonton won last season’s playoff series in six games. We have seen a split this season in the regular season meetings, with Edmonton winning 8-1 in Los angeles on Feb. 26 in the most recent matchup. Let’s back the Oilers to get the job done.

Oilers ML (-115) at time of publishing. Playable to -120.

The Carolina Hurricanes will take on the Utah Mammoth Saturday. Both teams have officially advanced to the playoffs, but are looking to continue winning for playoff seeding. The Hurricanes have won 7 of their last 10 games overall. This is what has propelled them into 1st place in the Eastern Conference. The faced the Mammoth earlier this season and won 5-4 with the final goal being scored in the final minute of the game. The Hurricanes rank 2^nd with 3.58 goals per game this season. The Hurricanes also rank 2^nd in shots on goal with an 11.1% shot percentage. The Hurricanes will look to continue to run to ensure the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

For the Mammoth, they have won 5 straight games. They have officially locked in 4^th place for the playoffs and sit 4 points behind the Minnesota Wild. On the season, they are averaging 3.31 goals per game while allowing 2.87 goals per game. The issue is that the Mammoth have dropped 6 of their last 10 home games. I have a feeling that with the playoffs clinched, the Mammoth may be less motivated in this game. Overall, the Hurricanes have the advantage across the board and should be motivated to remain in 1^st place. I am taking the Hurricanes on the money line.

Hurricanes vs. Mammoth Prediction: Hurricanes ML (+105) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.

It will be a crucial contest for playoff positioning in both the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference when the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night. Philadelphia currently occupies the final wild-card spot in the East with just a 1-point cushion over the Islanders. A 3-game winning streak has kept Winnipeg alive in the West, but it still probably has to win out in order to have a chance. A playoff atmosphere can be expected north of the border on Friday, and so can a playoff effort. That generally means a serious commitment to defense and elite goaltending with both teams’ #1 starters in the net. As such, my Flyers vs Jets prediction is Under 5.5.

Team USA Winter Olympics goaltending hero Connor Hellebuyck is heating up just in time to potentially save the Jets’ season. He has has allowed just 5 goals during his team’s 3-game surge. Hellebuyck previously faced Philadelphia in October and surrendered only 2 goals. The Flyers are countering with Dan Vladar. Although the 28-year-old Czech got roughed up a bit by Detroit on Thursday, that was clearly an aberration as opposed to the rule. Vladar had previously given up 1 goal in each of his 3 previous starts. He is 27-14-7 this season with a 2.47 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. It’s hard to see either offense doing a whole lot of damage in this borderline must-win matchup for both teams, so I’m rolling with the under.

Flyers vs Jets prediction: Under 5.5 (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable to -115.

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