The runway of the 2025-26 NHL season gets a little bit shorter on Tuesday with a phenomenal 13-game slate. The final quarter of the season has already brought a ton of drama. The chaos continues beginning at 7 PM ET and will go all through the night coast to coast.
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 13 matchups today.
NHL best bet: Lightning -1.5 (-105) over Blue Jackets
As well as the Blue Jackets have played lately, they have their work cut out for them in Tampa. The Lightning are heavy money line favorites with -250 odds. But they will play with a little extra urgency in this one, giving the puck line appeal. The Lightning were passed by the Sabres for the Atlantic division lead on Sunday in arguably the game of the year. In an emotional game which had a playoff atmosphere, the Lightning lost by just a goal. That gave Tampa their 5th loss in 7 games since returning from the Olympic break. This is going to be a desperate Lightning team on Tuesday.
There is no better place to be than home for the Lightning as they look to reverse recent results. They have won 11 out of their last 12 games played at home, and have won 9 consecutive games hosting the Blue Jackets. To further the chip on the shoulder, the Lightning have lost both games played against the Blue Jackets this season. Columbus has come back down to earth since returning from break as they have 3 wins in their last 7 games. Tampa is one of the best teams in the NHL and will be playing angry. They would love nothing more than to deal Columbus a convincing 5th loss in 8 games.
NHL best bet: Sharks vs Sabres over 6.5 (-120)
As mentioned, the Sabres were a participant the NHL’s game of the year on Sunday against the Lightning. That matchup resulted in a whopping 15 total goals scored. While this one is unlikely to reach that threshold, the Sabres have a chance to produce once again as they host a Sharks team that struggles with goal prevention. San Jose’s volatility has persisted with a 3-1-2 record in their 6 games played since returning from the break. During that span, they have scored 5+ goals twice and allowed 4+ goals 3 times. Those goals allowed contribute to their league-ranked 29th goals allowed per game.
This Sharks team that struggles to keep the puck out of their net has a tough matchup against this Sabres team that scores the 6th most goals per game in hockey. Buffalo just hung an 8-spot against Tampa who has elite defense and goaltending. That performance made for 30 goals in their last 7 games for an average of 4.29 goals scored per game. If they hold anywhere close to their recent averages, it will force the Sharks to have to keep up to stay in the game and only drive up the total. The pure matchup gives the over appeal.
NHL best bet: Maple Leafs vs Canadiens over 6.5 (+102)
High totals have been rolling in both Maple Leafs and Canadiens games lately. That is not too surprising given the over is 36-23-5 in Toronto games this season, and is 39-21-2 in Montreal games. Combining Maple Leafs road games and Canadiens home games, the over is 34-20-6. Entering this matchup, the total has gone over in 4 out of Toronto’s last 5 games, as well as in Montreal’s last 5 played. Both teams have strong scoring ability but weak goal prevention. That matchup of team strengths and opponent weaknesses are a good recipe for another high total.
The Maple Leafs have allowed 15 goals in their last 3 games as part of 32 goals allowed in their last 7. That makes 4.57 goals allowed per game by Toronto during that span. Things have not been much better for the Canadiens as they have allowed 16 goals in their last 3 played and 22 in 5 games back from break. At least Montreal is still scoring. Their 23 goals scored in their last 5 games bring their average game total to 9.0 in that stretch. Montreal scores the 2nd most goals per game in the NHL, has the 7th best power play, and their game totals have hit 7 in 2 out of the 3 played against Toronto this year. Recent trends and team strengths and weaknesses bode well for another high total.
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