Hockey fans are in for a treat on Saturday. The NHL has a huge 13-game slate on tap beginning at 12:30 PM ET and going all through the afternoon, evening, and night. There are some fantastic matchups that fans will not want to miss. 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 Sportsbook at the time of writing. Also, be sure to check out all of our NHL predictions for every game throughout the season, including all 13 matchups tonight.
NHL best bet: Philadelphia Flyers ML (+114) vs New York Rangers
Despite having 1 win in their last 5 games, the Flyers have points in 4 out of their last 5 and are 6-3-3 in their last 12 games. Wins and points accumulated during that stretch came against opponents including the Hurricanes twice, Panthers, Islanders, Golden Knights, and Canadiens. The Flyers are just plain playing good hockey right now and against quality opponents. They currently sit in a playoff spot and have a higher point percentage than the Rangers.
A primary disadvantage the Rangers face on Saturday is, ironically, being at home. A 4-10-3 record and .324 point percentage at home makes the Rangers the second-worst home team in the NHL. They have lost twice at home this week by a combined score of 7-1, which reinforces their NHL-worst 1.76 goals scored per game at home. The Flyers are a solid road team and get nice plus-money value to win outright.
NHL best bet: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Nashville Predators game total over 5.5 (-135)
The Maple Leafs and Predators have met once this season in a game which Toronto won by a score of 7-4. Although this one may not hit 11 goals, there is a good chance for a repeat result of the game total over. The over has hit in 9 out of Nashville’s last 12 games, as well as in 5 out of their last 6 games played at home. For the most part, those overs are not hitting for a favorable reason. The Predators allow the second-most goals per game in the NHL, which is a vulnerability that typically bodes well for game total overs.
Goal prevention has not been a strength for the Maple Leafs either as they rank 23rd in the league in goals allowed per game, even with the 5th best penalty kill. The pure matchup of two teams that generally struggle to keep the puck out of the net is a good recipe for a higher total. There is even more appeal considering Toronto scores the 8th most goals per game in the NHL. That is no surprise given the superstar talent the Leafs possess. Look for a high-scoring affair in this one.
Read our full analysis of Saturday’s 13-game slate
NHL best bet: Seattle Kraken vs San Jose Sharks 3-way ML (+135)
The Kraken just may be the coldest team in the NHL entering Saturday. After a very solid start to the season, Seattle has just 1 win in their last 11 games which includes a current 4-game losing streak. With that, they now sit 30th out of 32 teams in the league standings and have the second-worst goal differential in the NHL. Until or unless they figure something out and turn things around even a little bit, the Kraken are a good fade at the moment.
Seattle is an especially good fade against a good team like San Jose. The Sharks have won 3 out of their last 4 games and are generally solid at home. The Kraken have dropped 3 consecutive road games as part of 4 losses in their last 5 played on the road, and a 5-7-3 road record overall. During their current 1-9-1 stretch, Seattle has lost by a combined 23 goals. That is an average loss by 2.30 goals. Lately, when the Kraken lose, they lose big. This +135 for the Sharks to win in regulation is good value against a spiraling team.
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