The bridge to Friday brings a nice 8-game slate in the NHL. The action begins hot and heavy at 7 PM ET with matchups between Vegas and Boston, as well as between Buffalo and Montreal. The evening is then capped with another great game between Detroit and Minnesota. Hockey fans are in for a great night.
If you will be tuning in and want to have some action, I’ve picked out my NHL best bets for tonight, 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 8 matchups today.
NHL best bet: Hurricanes -1.5 (-120) over Blackhawks
The Hurricanes make for a tough matchup for most teams in the NHL. The Blackhawks are certainly no exception. Carolina enters this game having won 3 consecutive games as part of a current 7-1-1 run. The Hurricanes have been one of the best teams in hockey all season. Their recent play has not tapered off from their long-season form. Carolina ranks 4th in the NHL in goals scored per game, and 8th in goals allowed per game. They have flexed both strengths, having outscored opponents 15-3 during their 3-game winning streak.
This is a tough matchup for a Blackhawks team that has dropped 3 out of their last 4 games, and scored just 6 total goals during that span. With that, they have scored 2 or fewer goals in 5 out of their last 6 games. If either team just holds to both their season-long and recent averages, this one should be all Carolina. The Hurricanes’ advantages are furthered by hosting this matchup where they have won 5 straight and are 18-8-1 on the season. The Hurricanes puck line has appeal tonight.
NHL best bet: Stars vs Blue Jackets over 6.5 (-105)
The dynamic in this game is an interesting one. Dallas has been arguably the second-best team in the NHL all year. But they have hit a recent slump that they just can’t seem to break. Meanwhile, Columbus is a week removed from a head coaching change that so far has bore fruit as they try to climb back into the playoff race. With that, there is desperation on both sides of this game. Where there is desperation, there is a team with extra vulnerability and also more likely to take chances on the offensive side of the puck.
The Stars got a much needed win on Tuesday with a 6-2 win over the Bruins. That follows a stretch in which they really struggled to keep the puck out of their net. Dallas has recently shown a range of outcomes that is now matched up against a Columbus team that has also been volatile. The Blue Jackets have either scored or allowed 4+ goals in 9 out of their last 10 games, not leaving much work remaining for the over. The pure matchup, recent results, and urgency of both teams bodes well for the over.
NHL best bet: Red Wings vs Wild over 6.5 (+114)
The plus money odds for the game total over in this one are great value, even for a total of 6.5 goals. The over has hit in 12 out of Minnesota’s last 13 games. Their average game total during that stretch is 7.31 goals. Minnesota’s record in those games is 6-4-3, comprising 3 home games and 10 road games. Lately, it has not mattered whether the Wild win or lose, or are at home or on the road. Their game totals are climbing thanks to rampant volatility on both sides of the puck.
The Red Wings make for a good dance partner for a game total over. Their offense is buzzing lately. Detroit has scored 4+ goals in 6 out of their last 8 games. That follows consecutive games in which they allowed 4 goals. The Red Wings are playing great hockey right now and have a nice matchup against a Wild team that are allowing goals in bunches lately. If they hold to their recent averages, they will be able to generate offense against the Wild and force Minnesota to have to score to stay in the game. These are two offensive, somewhat volatile teams, and the over has a great look.
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