Mark Lammey
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Thursday night in the NHL features 12 games, which means plenty of opportunity for profit. Of course, money lines and spreads can add up, but so can a nice parlay. After breaking down the matchups, there wasn’t much value in terms of underdogs tonight. Instead, there look to be a few home teams that are set for big performances. With that in mind, let’s check out our 3 favorite plays to piece together for an incredible payout. Before we dive in, be sure to check out our NHL picks for today’s action.
Boston Bruins -1.5 (+120) over Anaheim Ducks
The Bruins were just a part of one of the most exciting games of the season thus far against the Ottawa Senators. That isn’t something that was said often last season, but the Sens made some great additions in the offseason. Regardless, this is about the Bruins returning back to Boston and bouncing back in a big way. They too made fans happy over the summer by re-signing Patrice Bergeron, who has been a perennial all-star working in tandem with David Pastrnak.
That duo now gets a great matchup against the Ducks at home. Anaheim was done no favors by schedule-makers, as they’re beginning their season with a brutal east coast road trip. After getting demolished by the New York Islanders 7-1, the Ducks then lost their next games to the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils by multiple goals. They’re allowing the most shots per game and the 2nd-most goals per game, which is the perfect combination for the Bruins. Pastrnak leads the entire NHL with 24 shots on goal and already has 8 points. Boston defeated last season’s President Trophy winners Florida at home already, so the Ducks should cause no issues.
Be sure to check out our Anaheim Ducks vs Boston Bruins predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins -1.5 (+130) over Los Angeles Kings
Another team that needs to bounce back and looks set to do so is the Penguins. They’re coming back to Pittsburgh after blowing an early 2-0 lead to the Canadiens up in Montreal. While that is an unacceptable loss, the Pens looked dominant to start the season. Their first 2 games were also at home and they won those matchups by a combined score of 12-4. One of those matchups was against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have been to each of the last 3 Stanley Cup Finals.
Taking the puck line against the Kings wasn’t normally a strong play last season, but they don’t seem quite as stout on defense this year. They lost to the Seattle Kraken 4-1 last week, and are heading into Pittsburgh after 2 overtime road games. While they prevailed in those matchups, keeping up with such tough, long games is very difficult. With Sidney Crosby and the Pens out to avenge their recent loss, expect a dethroning of the Kings tonight.
Be sure to check out our Los Angeles Kings vs Pittsburgh Penguins predictions
Calgary Flames -1.5 (-110) over Buffalo Sabres
One of the later games going on Thursday night is between 2 teams where 1 looks rather different than last season and 1 looks very much the same. The Flames made one of the biggest trades of the offseason and acquired Jonathan Huberdeau from the Florida Panthers, and signed Nazem Kadri from the Colorado Avalanche. That duo has fit in perfectly already with Elias Lindholm to make a deadly trio. They’ve helped lead Calgary to the top of the Pacific Division with a perfect 3-0-0 start to the season. They just combined for 3 points in their recent win over the Vegas Golden Knights, and now get to remain at home to welcome in a Sabres team on a rough Canadian road trip.
Buffalo just had to face the Edmonton Oilers 2 nights ago and has to head out to Vancouver to take on the Canucks in their next game. Although the Flames have some new pieces, they were able to handle the Sabres 5-0 in their first meeting last season. With goaltender Jacob Markstrom still between the pipes, they can take care of business against Buffalo once again.
Be sure to check out our Buffalo Sabres vs Calgary Flames predictions
Thursday’s NHL mega parlay (10/20)
Bruins -1.5 (+120)
Penguins -1.5 (+130)
Flames -1.5 (-110)
Parlay odds: +866
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