Ryan Hodges
What a crazy week in the NHL. Sure, the games have been fine. But the trade activity ahead of the deadline did not disappoint. There are several stars in new sweaters as teams push all their chips in the middle down the stretch. Thursday brings an absolutely jam-packed 10-game slate with a lot of eyeballs on new-look teams showing off their shiny new toys. This should be a fantastic night of hockey for fans and a great bridge to the last day of the work week. If you’re looking to combine a few plays that have value, check out this NHL mega parlay that has +1117 odds with DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing.
Stars ML & Under 6.5 (+150)
Maple Leafs ML (-110)
Wild -1.5 (+155)
NHL parlay odds: +1117
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Dallas Stars ML over Chicago Blackhawks & Under 6.5 (+150)
This is a good get-right spot for the Stars. They are atop the Central division, but barely. They are staving off the Wild by 3 points, the Avalanche by 4 points and the Jets by 5 points. The Stars have 2 wins in their last 8 games, which includes a loss to this Blackhawks team. Dallas is not likely to miss the playoffs, but they don’t want to get into bad habits and bad form at this point in the season. If they want a good seeding, the Stars have to beat bad teams like the Blackhawks. Chicago is now a glorified AHL team after selling Patrick Kane among other players in an already shallow lineup. Dallas has been a very good team all season and will use this game to get back on track.
Similar to last season, the Stars have been successful by way of goal prevention. Their goal scoring was hot to start the season, but has sunk to around league average at 14th in goals scored per game. Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Stars had scored an average of 2.33 goals per game over their last 12. Even if they get up to their season average of 3.20 goals scored in this one, the under still has a good look considering their goal prevention. Dallas allows the 3rd-fewest goals per game in the NHL while the Blackhawks score the fewest goals per game in the league. That matchup bodes well for a low total. Recent results and this pure matchup favor the under.
Toronto Maple Leafs ML over Calgary Flames (-110)
This game has pick ’em odds on the money line which is a little surprising considering the recent results of these teams. The Flames have lost 3 straight games and have 3 wins in their last 11. With that, Calgary finds themselves outside of the playoff picture by 5 points with just 21 games to play. They have just a +2 goal differential and appear to be on a downward spiral at an important point in the season. Things have looked quite a bit better for the Maple Leafs. They have won 5 out of their last 7 games and Toronto has once again certified itself as one of the best teams in the NHL’s regular season. The Maple Leafs are the better team in better form.
Several teams have improved significantly over the last couple of weeks. The Flames are not one of those teams. The Maple Leafs are one of those teams. Toronto was already a top team in the league before they acquired Ryan O’Reilly and Jake McCabe, along with depth additions Noel Acciari and Sam Lafferty. There is a great feeling in the Leafs’ locker room and as they are trending upward. Toronto stacks up favorably against Calgary in several statistical categories, including goals scored and allowed per game, special teams, save percentage, as well as both goals scored and goals allowed 5 on 5. None of this is to say the Flames are a bad team. But Toronto should be bigger favorites which gives them good value outright.
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Minnesota Wild -1.5 over Vancouver Canucks (+155)
The Wild are playing good hockey at a good time after a tough start to February. Since dropping 5 of 6 games to start February, Minnesota has since gone 6-0-1 in their last 7. The Wild also just got better as they added Marcus Johansson and Gustav Nyquist. Minnesota is the deeper, better team. They are the more reliable play based on their recent results coupled with them flat-out being the better team in this game. Minnesota is right in the thick of the race for the top spot for the Central. They still have plenty to play for and an incentive to collect 2 points. The Wild will come out buzzing with their now deeper roster looking to win comfortably.
The Canucks have actually had a decent stretch lately for the first time since their coaching change. But if there is anything the Canucks have done consistently this season, it’s be inconsistent. Vancouver just is not a reliable play either outright or against the spread. They have also shown to not match up well against the Wild. In 2 head to head matchups this season, Minnesota has won both by a combined score of 7-3. Dating back to last season, the Wild have won 5 straight against the Canucks. In their current 6-0-1 run, Minnesota has taken care of business against good teams, bad teams and average teams both at home and on the road. Thursday presents another favorable matchup for the Wild.
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