Mark Lammey
NHL
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Friday features a solid 6-game slate in the NHL to get us primed for a huge Saturday. Even with the more mild amount of games, there are some great matchups. The Sabres and Panthers are battling for one of the last Eastern Conference playoff spots and the Avalanche vs Jets is a contest of teams bidding for the Central Division lead. I have targeted both of those games to go along with a big upset, so let’s get into it.
Along with our NHL mega parlay, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
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Florida Panthers -1.5 (+120) over Buffalo Sabres
One of the first games of the night takes place down in South Beach. The Sabres are headed down there from being in Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning just 24 hours prior. Playing the team that has been to the 3 straight Stanley Cup Finals and then the firepower of Florida is tough enough, let alone for a team that is struggling in terms of goaltending. Since the start of 2023, Buffalo has allowed the 4th-most goals per game.
That’s bad news when facing the Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk, who has recorded the most points since the start of the new year with 35. While Florida may not be on pace for another Presidents’ Trophy (NHL’s best record), they still have a potent offense. That was on full display when these teams met just over a month ago, which was a 4-1 Panthers win. Florida has won both meetings between these teams this season, and both of them were up in Buffalo. Now on home ice in South Florida, their streak should continue.
Ottawa Senators ML (+205) over Carolina Hurricanes
In one of the riskiest plays I’ve made so far this season, I’m backing quite a significant road underdog. Betting against the Hurricanes this season hasn’t been the best approach, but we have seen even the worst teams take down the best. Furthermore, the Sens are far from the worst team. They are coming off a loss, but that was to the NHL-best Bruins, and they still kept them to a respectable 3 goals. Prior to that was a dominant 7-2 win over the St. Louis Blues.
Ottawa also took down the Islanders and Flames in back-to-back games less than 2 weeks ago. That’s significant; those are squads with strong goaltenders, which is how they are going to need to beat Carolina. Tim Stutzle of the Senators is having a breakout 2022-23 campaign; he has recorded the 5th-most points since the start of 2023. He hasn’t faced the ‘Canes yet, but he may just help surprise them. The Hurricanes shouldn’t underestimate the Sens after falling to them twice last season.
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Winnipeg Jets ML (-110) over Colorado Avalanche
Finishing off this NHL mega parlay is one of the most anticipated matches of the weekend. The Jets have been sitting comfortable in 2nd place in the Central Division for months now. Meanwhile, the Avs have been slowly creeping their way up the standings and are now 1 spot behind Winnipeg. They can’t catch them even with a win tonight, and I don’t foresee that happening anyway. Colorado has begun to find its way, but it did need to rally back from a 3-0 hole in its most recent game.
Falling behind against this Jets team will not prove to be an easy come-from-behind task. That’s because of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Despite being out-shot 51 to 21 by the Rangers on Monday, Winnipeg still came away with a 4-1 win. The Jets did just fall 2-1 to the New York Islanders in the last game of their road trip, but the Avs don’t have Ilya Sorokin in net. With Winnipeg heading back home for a very important game, I’m expecting Hellebuyck to lead the way yet again.
Friday’s NHL mega parlay (2/24)
Panthers -1.5 (+120)
Senators ML (+205)
Jets ML (-110)
Parlay odds +1181
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