The first week back from nearly a month-long break has been nothing short of entertaining. There has already been plenty of movement in the standings and even a few roster transactions. This week promises to bring even more intrigue as teams come to a critical decision point to either buy or sell at the trade deadline. With that, Tuesday’s huge 11-game slate is one to watch. If you will be tuning in and want to have some action, I’ve picked out my NHL best bets for Tuesday, with lines and odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing. Also, be sure to check out all of our NHL predictions for every game throughout the season, including all 11 matchups today.
NHL best bet: Senators vs Oilers over 6.5 (-120)
High totals have followed the Senators and Oilers for the majority of this season. Combining Ottawa and Edmonton games, the over is 69-48-3 on the season. Combining Senators road games with Oilers home games, that record is 38-19-2. Trends have been reinforced lately as the over has hit in 13 out of Ottawa’s last 19 games on the road, in 5 out of Edmonton’s last 6 games, and in 4 out of Edmonton’s last 6 games at home.
The Senators rank 11th in the NHL in goals scored per game and 8th on the power play. On the defensive side of the puck, they rank 22nd in goals allowed per game and 30th on the penalty kill. Team strengths and weaknesses are very similar for the Oilers, who rank 3rd in the league in goals scored per game and have the best power play in hockey. But they rank 26th in both goals allowed per game and on the penalty kill. The pure matchup of strong offensive teams facing a weak goal prevention opponent, along with both recent and season-long trends reinforcing high game totals, bode well for another over.
NHL best bet: Stars 3-way ML over Flames (+130)
After a bit of a tough stretch, the Stars have become the hottest team in the NHL. They enter this game having won 9-straight games, including a 6-1 drumming of the Canucks last night. Since the return from the Olympic break, Dallas is now 3-0-0 having outscored opponents by a combined 13-4. Although the Stars will be playing the second of road back-to-backs, they are unlikely to be negatively affected. In 9 games this season without a day of rest, Dallas is 7-2-0. Those 14 points are good for T-2nd in the NHL among teams on the second of back-to-backs.
It has not been completely ugly for the Flames. Ultimately, they still have just 3 wins in their last 11 games and 2 wins in their last 7 games played at home. Given the Stars are 2nd in the NHL standings, they have a favorable matchup against just about any team in hockey. The Flames are no exception. Dallas is purely the better team in this one in undoubtedly better form. In addition to inconsistent results recently, Calgary also has a bit of distraction this week as they are speculated to be active ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. The plus-money for the hottest team in the league to beat a draft lottery contender in regulation is solid value.
Read our full Stars vs Flames prediction
NHL best bet: Avalanche vs Ducks over 6.5 (-125)
The Avalanche and Ducks are both rolling entering this game. Colorado has won 4 out of their last 5, and Anaheim has won 5 straight as part of a current 12-2-0 run. What is working for both teams during their successful runs is strong offensive production. That is no surprise for Colorado as they sit atop the NHL in goals scored per game, and have just about all season. The Avalanche have a good chance to continue the strong offensive production against a Ducks team that allows the 2nd most goals per game in hockey.
Allowing goals in bunches would be nothing new for Anaheim as they have allowed 11 goals in their 3 games back from the Olympic break. Despite that, they won all 3 games thanks for their 14 goals scored. The Ducks are 2nd in the Pacific and not by accident. This is a good team with a great mix of young talent, veteran presence, and arguably the best coach of all time. The Avalanche have a good chance to produce, but the Ducks should stick around, only driving up the total as the game progresses. Look for a high total in this one.
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