Stop busting brackets and sign up for the Pickswise March Madness Premium Picks now! Our expert is up +30.7 units over the last 3 NCAA Tournaments and picked Florida at +4000 last year. Get futures picks and daily best bets throughout the entire tournament, all for just $50. Click here to join and get 20% off before Selection Sunday!
The NHL trade deadline has come and gone, and several teams made significant moves that are sure to impact playoff races down the stretch. With playoff races heating up, Saturday brings us an 11-game slate that is full of intriguing matchups. If you will be tuning in and want to have some more excitement to follow, I have picked out my NHL best bets for Saturday with lines and odds courtesy of DraftKings at the time of publishing.
I am 5-1 on my NHL best bets in March, and I am looking to keep the momentum rolling for Saturday’s 11-game slate. Along with these best bets, don’t forget to check out all of our NHL predictions for every game throughout the season — including all 11 matchups today.
NHL best bet: Jets -1.5 over Canucks (-105)
The Canucks have dropped all 4 games since returning to action following the Olympic break, and they have lost 7 games in a row going back to January 31. Their 45 points and minus-70 goal differential are both the fewest in the league by a wide margin, and it seems that a rebuild is already in motion. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen is projected to get the start in net, and he has allowed a whopping 19 goals over his last 4 games. The Jets should be able to capitalize on their chances.
Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck struggled in his first game back from the Olympics, but he is off to a great start in March. Hellebuyck is 2-0-1 with a .937 save percentage to go along with a 1.64 goals-against average to start the new month, and he seems to have a favorable matchup against the Canucks in this one. Vancouver ranks 29th in the NHL at 2.56 goals per game, and it has scored 2 goals or fewer in 3 of 4 games coming back from the Olympic break. Look for the Jets to win this one handily.
NHL best bet: Rangers vs Devils Over 5.5 (-115)
The Devils have been among the lowest-scoring teams in the NHL all season long, but they seem to be finding a groove. New Jersey has potted 12 goals over its last 3 games, and the core forwards of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt have just one of those goals. They have still been involved, dishing out 8 assists in that span — but it’s only a matter of time before that group starts finding the back of the net again. The Rangers aren’t a strong defensive team, and this could be the right matchup to get things rolling.
New York is averaging a league-low 2.17 goals per game on home ice, but that number increases by nearly a whole goal to 3.13 on the road. The Rangers also have a bit of offensive momentum on their hands, as they picked up their first home regulation win since November 24 with a 6-2 defeat of the Maple Leafs on Thursday. They have now scored 13 goals over their last 3 games and seem to have a favorable matchup against New Jersey goaltender Jacob Markstom, who owns a less-than-ideal .888 save percentage and 3.05 goals-against average on the season.
Read our full Rangers vs Devils prediction for today’s game
NHL best bet: Islanders vs Sharks Over 6.5 (+102)
San Jose’s young core is starting to blossom. Macklin Celebrini is fifth in the NHL with 88 points on the season, and he has 7 points on 3 goals and 4 assists over his last 4 games. He has great chemistry with Will Smith on San Jose’s top line, as Smith has 43 points in 47 games on the year. Their efforts have led the Sharks to 16 total goals over their last 4 games, which gives them plenty of momentum heading into this matchup against the Islanders.
As strong as San Jose’s offense has been lately, the Sharks are still surrendering plenty of goals. They are allowing 3.48 goals per game on the season, which is the third-worst mark in the NHL. They put forth a strong defensive effort in their last contest by only allowing 14 shots to the Blues, but it would be a bit surprising to see that happen again. On the season, the Sharks are giving up 30.3 shots per game, which is the second-worst mark in the league. The Islanders are coming off back-to-back losses, and I expect them to come out firing. Look to the over.
Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources and never miss a story
