NHL Best Bets for Saturday: Expert Hockey Predictions for Today's Games

A benefit to fans of the NHL partaking in this year’s Olympics, other than the obvious, is the 82-game schedule has been condensed to accommodate the two week break in February. That condensed schedule allows for phenomenal 13-game slates like this as part of very busy weeks in the NHL. Fans have been treated to a ton of excellent hockey all year. It all continues on Saturday with 26 teams suited up.

If you will be tuning in and want to have some action, here are a few betting markets that may be worth considering — with lines and odds courtesy of DraftKings at the time of writing. Also be sure to check out all of our NHL predictions for every game throughout the season, including all 10 matchups today.

NHL best bet: Islanders ML (-112) vs Flames

The Islanders and Flames have trended in opposite directions lately. New York is coming off of an impressive 1-0 shutout win over Edmonton as part of a 7-3-1 run in their last 11 games. They have points in 5 out of their last 6 and hold the 2nd spot in the Metropolitan division by 3 points over the next team. The Islanders have really relied on and flexed their strength of goal prevention to ride momentum to their spot in the standings. They rank 3rd in the NHL in goals allowed per game which matches up well against Calgary’s 31st league-ranked goals scored per game.

The Flames had a nice win in Chicago on Thursday, but it was just their 2nd win in their last 7 games. In their 5 losses during that span, Calgary was bullied by opponents. They have been largely snake bitten on the offensive side of the puck as they have scored just 2.27 goals per game in their last 11. To make things tougher for the Flames, rumors have been swirling of the organization being open for business in terms of trading assets. That is never easy to deal with inside the locker room. The Islanders are buzzing right now and have a favorable matchup on Saturday.

Read our full analysis of Saturday’s 13-game slate

NHL best bet: Maple Leafs vs Jets over 5.5 (-120)

Somewhat surprisingly, the Maple Leafs and Jets have been a couple of the more volatile teams in hockey this year. Not much has changed lately. Toronto is 6-1-3 in their last 10 games, but they enter this game on consecutive losses in which they allowed 6 goals in each. That is not hugely surprising as Toronto ranks 25th in the NHL in goals allowed per game. The over has appeal considering Toronto’s questionable goal prevention pairs well with strong goal scoring.

As they have for years now, the Leafs are one of the more productive scoring teams in the NHL. They rank 3rd in the league in goals scored per game, and they have flexed that strength in recent weeks. Toronto has scored 4+ goals in 3 out of their last 4 games and in 6 out of their last 9. Winnipeg finds themselves on a much-needed hot streak themselves. They have scored 20 goals over their last 4 games as part of 8 consecutive game total overs and 5 straight at home. These teams have already played in a game this year in which 11 goals were scored. Saturday’s matchup sets well for another over.

NHL best bet: Oilers -1.5 (+136) over Canucks

This is another game in which the opponents could not be going further in opposite directions. Since the end of November, the Oilers are 13-7-3 which has catapulted them to 2nd in the Pacific with a nice cushion. They have points in 5 out of their last 6 games and their best players, a couple of which are the best players on the planet, have firmly found their stride. Meanwhile, the Canucks are winless in their last 9 games with a -23 goal differential during that span. That is an average loss by 2.56 goals. 

The Canucks will not lose out for the rest of the season. But a team this cold, injured, and demotivated is typically a good fade. That is especially the case against a great team like the Oilers who know the Canucks very well. Vancouver has scored 1 or zero goals in 4 out of their last 5, and their 31st ranked goals allowed per game does not match up well against Edmonton’s 5th ranked goals scored per game and top ranked power play. Unless they completely mail it in or lay an egg, this one should be all Oilers. Edmonton carries a nice +136 to continue Canucks opponent trends by covering -1.5 goals.