NHL Picks & NHL Predictions

The Colorado Avalanche are entering this game riding a three-game win streak. All three of those wins came against these San Jose Sharks. Forward Nathan Mackinnon has points in 25 of his last 27 games, and Mikko Rantanen has seven points in three games since his return from the covid protocol list. They have a deep forward group, and have four lines that all have the ability to score goals. Their depth heavily out matches that of the San Jose Sharks. Netminder Philipp Grubauer is slated to get the start for the Avalanche. He has been extremely good this season, posting a 27-8-1 record, with a 2.00 GAA and .920 SVP. The Avalanche are a much better team than the Sharks and should dominate this game.

The defensive game of the Sharks is very poor, and it has been on full display over the last three games. They have allowed three-plus goals in each of their last three games. As of now, they are allowing the third most goals per game in the league, with 3.42. Outside of a few forwards, they do not pose much of a threat to score goals. Josef Korenar is slated to get the start for the Sharks. This is going to be a very tough task for a young goaltender to shut down the powerful offense of the Avalanche. His stats are not the greatest, as he is sporting a 3.21 GAA and .896 SVP. I don’t think the Sharks have what it takes to keep up with the Avalanche. Take the Avalanche on the puck line.

The over is 2-0 in the last two meetings between these teams. Monday night’s game saw nine goals scored. In the Sharks last seven games, the over is 5-1-1. With the way the top line of the Avalanche are playing, it’s very difficult to think of this being a low-scoring game. The Avalanche are the best team in the league when it comes to scoring. They are averaging 3.52 goals for per game. Combine that with the goals-allowed average of the Sharks, and that is a recipe for a lot of goals to be scored. Take over six goals.

Over 6 goals available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Winnipeg Jets are a really good hockey team that is just in a funk at a bad time of the year. The Jets of lost seven in a row and are now tied with Montreal for third spot in the North Division. On Wednesday they will play the Calgary Flames, who are chasing the Canadiens and Jets for the final playoff spot–but it looks as though time has almost run out for them. The Jets have played great on the road this year with a 16-10-1 record and they have owned the Flames this season. Winnipeg has won five of eight against Calgary with an average of 3.25 goals and 2.38 goals against head-to-head. Mark Scheifele is sitting at 19 goals on the season and would love to be the first Jets player to get to the 20-goal mark. Winnipeg just needs a spark from their top players and things will start rolling. Kyle Connor has 22 goals but has not found the back of the net in his last five, while Andrew Copp has 15 on the year and has also been off the scoresheet for five games. Blake Wheeler is trying to pull these guys up on his own with four points in his last four games as the forward group is ready to break out in an important game.

The Flames have lost two of their last three and know they need to win out to just have a small chance at making the playoffs. Their powerplay is only at 6.3 percent over their last seven games, which has hurt them in gaining any ground in the North Division. The Jets are too good to keep losing and now is the time they pull it off at enticing odds. Take the Jets.

What a great goalie matchup we will see in this game on Wednesday night. Connor Hellebuyck is still an elite goaltender and his team knows they need to play better in front of him. This season he has a GAA of 2.72 and a save percentage of .912. He has always been a big game player and this will rank as one of his most important. Jacob Markstrom has had a strong first season in Calgary with a 2.67 GAA and .906 save percentage which he knows he can improve on. Since Darryl Sutter took over behind the bench for the Flames they have played a smart tight checking brand of hockey and it shows in the numbers as they have only allowed an average of 2.43 goals against over their last seven games. The Flames are having their scoring struggles from top players as well as Matthew Tkachuk has no goals in his last 12 games and Sean Monahan has one goal in his last seven. The Flames last three games have stayed under the total number while three of the Jets last five have been under the total. When these two have faced off in 2020 it has been tough hockey with limited chances and six of the eight games have been under the total. Take the under. Under 5.5 when this was published.

This will be the final encounter between the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona Coyotes this season. In seven games the Coyotes have only won three, but they have actually played well against the Kings and have outscored them 21-17 in their head-to-head meetings. Although slim, Arizona still has some playoff hopes. They have just three games remaining so they’ll need to win out and have St. Louis lose their next six in a row (unlikely to happen, but the ‘Yotes still have something to fight for). In their last 10 games, the Kings are only scoring 2.3 goals per game while allowing 3.1. Arizona is doing slightly better in that department, averaging 2.5 goals per game and only allowing 2.8 in their last 10. Both teams are below average when it comes to their offensive and defensive capabilities, but Arizona could have the upper hand.

In their head-to-head’s, Arizona is averaging 40.9% on the powerplay while the Kings are only averaging 22.2 percent. The Coyotes have done a great job on the man advantage when they play LA, and you can expect that to continue. Additionally, Arizona has averaged a .921 SVP,–which is their best save percentage against one single opponent. The Kings are only averaging a .897 SVP when they play the Coyotes. Darcy Kuemper is expected to start in the net for Arizona and he is posting a 2.58 GAA. Kings goaltender Cal Petersen is only posting a 2.83 GAA. The Coyotes should have the advantage in the net and on special teams. Although the chances are slim, Arizona is the only team still fighting for something here; it has an outside chance at the playoffs. On paper these teams are fairly even so proceed with caution, but take Arizona on the money line.

The Coyotes are averaging three goals per game when they play the Kings, while LA is only averaging 2.4 goals per game when they play Arizona. They’re right on the cusp of the game totals line so it could be close, but we’re going with the over for this one. The Kings could play like they have nothing to lose, which could generate a lot of chances for both sides. Petersen  has allowed an average of 4.00 goals per game over his last four starts, while Kuemper has allowed three or more goals in six of his last seven games. Both goalies have been pretty cold over the last few weeks. Take the over. Over 5.5 at the time of publishing. Wouldn’t go any higher.

The Boston Bruins are 4-2 in six meetings with the New York Rangers this season. Since the Taylor Hall acquisition, the Bruins are 9-3 in their last 12 games. Their top six forwards are much more dangerous with him in the lineup. They are also very good defensively as a team. Over that same 12 game stretch, they allowed two or less goals nine times. This includes three shutouts. Overall on the season, they are allowing just 2.40 goals against per game, which is good for the fourth best average in the NHL. Another incentive for the Bruins is that they are currently sitting in third place in the East Division, and they are within reach of climbing into the second spot in the division, which could give them home ice advantage in the first round. They are also only leading the New York Islander by one point. The Bruins will be playing very desperate on Thursday.

The Rangers will be on the second half of a back-to-back, as they had a meeting with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. This was a very spirited affair as the Rangers wanted revenge on Tom Wilson for his dirty plays on Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin. The Rangers’ season is all but over as they will not be making the playoffs, and their minds are elsewhere with all the distractions surrounding their team. The Bruins should be able to take advantage of this lack of focus from the Rangers. Give me the Bruins on the puck line in this one.

In the six previous meetings between these two teams, the under is an impressive 5-1. As mentioned, the Rangers will be playing on back-to-back nights, and they likely will be tired. They won’t have much to provide offensively. They are also without Panarin and Chris Kreider, who contribute to a large portion of their scoring. The Bruins will have Tuuka Rask in goal who is 14-4-2 on the season with a 2.16 GAA and .919 SVP. I don’t expect much will get by him. The Bruins should be able to get up by one or two goals early, then lock it down defensively. I will be taking under 5.5 goals in this game.

Under 5.5 at time of publishing. Would not play any lower.

The Montreal Canadiens pulled off a comeback win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night with less than a minute left in regulation, the Leafs will be looking to rebound. This matchup is a potential preview for the first round of the playoffs, and both teams know it. Toronto would much rather play the Habs in the first round compared to the other two options of Winnipeg and Edmonton, they’ll be angry with themselves they let the Canadiens grab two points in the standings the other night (Montreal and Winnipeg are now battling for the third and fourth spot). This will be a tail end of a back to back for Montreal, additionally, they’ll be playing on the road. This will also be their sixth game in nine days. Their condensed schedule puts them at a serious disadvantage. Jack Campbell is expected to start for the Leafs, he’s 15-2-2 with a 2.12 GAA and .925 SVP. He’ll give Toronto an excellent chance to win this one.

Auston Matthews has six goals in his last six games, John Tavares is scoring over a point per game in his last 12 contests, and Mitch Marner is fourth in league scoring. Toronto has offensive weapons that the Habs simply don’t. If the Leafs’ offense can continue to roll and the Habs offense continues to slump, it should lead to another victory for the Leafs. They haven’t lost in regulation in their last six games and have won their last five of six. The Habs have only averaged 2.3 goals per game over their last 10 while Toronto has averaged 3.3 in the same stretch. The Leafs have won five of eight meetings against Montreal; they’re a proven better team. Take the puck line here.

Auston Matthews is sixth overall in points while Mitch Marner is fourth overall in points. Matthews is scoring 0.81 goals per game, which’s tied for the most in the last thirty years. He dominates the Habs, he has 18 goals in 22 career games and he has 12 points in eight games this season when he plays them. Tyler Toffoli on the Habs is fourth overall in goals this season as well, Montreal has some firepower. Considering the back to back for the Habs, tired bodies could lead to more powerplay chances for either team. The Leafs are averaging the fifth most goals per game with 3.33. Take the over.

Over 6.0 at the time of publishing. Wouldn’t go higher.

The New York Islanders are coming off back to back losses to the Buffalo Sabres which dropped them to fourth in the East Division. They still have the chance to climb as high as second but they will need to win both games against the New Jersey Devils starting on Thursday night. The Islanders are 2-1-1 in their last four games with a goals for average of three to go along with 34 shots per game. The Islanders are a well-balanced team with five players having at least 14 goals on the season. Matthew Barzal has two goals in his last three games and needs just five more for 20 on the season. Brock Nelson has become a reliable two way player this year and is playing his best hockey with four points in his last four games. Meanwhile Anthony Beauvillier has become a favorite of head coach Barry Trotz as he uses him in all situation which is paying off for Beauvillier who has five points in his last four games. The Islanders looked past the last place Sabres and it cost them, they will not let the same happen against the second last place team in the division this week.

New Jersey lost 10 in a row before winning four of their last five and have some confidence heading into their last two games against the Islanders. However, the Islanders have won five of the six head to head matchups this season and New York has owned the Nassau Memorial Coliseum with a 20-3-3 record on home ice. The Devils will not have a chance playing their third game in four nights.

Take the Islanders.

The Devils have a good young group of players but they are not at the level they need to be to compete for a full NHL season just yet. They do not have any 20 goal scorers this season and Kyle Palmieri has really dropped off since not being dealt at the trade deadline with no goals in his last 11 games. Jack Hughes was selected first overall to be a big time goal scorer and he has put up decent numbers in his second season but can’t not find the back of the net as much as he had hopped with no goals in his last six games. Mackenzie Blackwood might be a top goalie in the NHL if he was on a better team as he has an above .900 save percentage this season. He will face the Islanders Semyon Varlamov on Thursday night who has a 2.02 goals against average and .930 save percentage with an amazing seven shutouts this season. He has been lights out for New York keeping three of their last five games under the total number while the Devils defense first structure has kept them under the number in two of their last three. Despite the Islanders beating up on the Devils this year they have all been close games as five of the six have been under the total number. These two always have tough games against each other that keep it a low scoring match.

Take the Under 5.5

Under 5.5 when published.

If you have not been paying attention the Carolina Hurricanes are first in the NHL in points and are two wins away from clinching home ice throughout the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs. They dismantled the Chicago Blackhawks in their last two games and will play them one final time on Thursday night. The Hurricanes are 7-0-3 in their last 10 and have won five in a row with four of those wins by more than one goal. In their last five they are playing great two way hockey which they will need to play in two weeks’ time during the playoffs. They have averaged only 1.6 goals against while giving up 24.8 shots during this winning streak. Sebastian Aho leads the team with 57 points on the season including 11 in his last five games.  Chicago has not been able to handle him in the last two games as Monday he had a hat trick and Tuesday he had two assists. Carolina has been consistent all year long and really focused on winning on home ice with a 20-3-4 record which will serve them well during their long run for a Stanley Cup.

Chicago has now lost six in a row and are 2-7-1 in their last 10 as they have three games left on the season. Four of the six losses have been by more than one goal as their top line has frozen of late. Patrick Kane has no goals in his last eight games and only had two all of April. Number one centreman Dylan Strome has no goals in his last nine despite having lots of opportunities. Carolina wants to finish off their last regular season home game with a bang and spank the Blackhawks.

Take the Hurricanes -1.5

Chicago will be starting their third goalie in three games vs Carolina as Kevin Lankinen gets the nod. Lankinen has not won a game in his last five starts and has a .858 save percentage to go along with his 4.99 GAA. We do have to call out Chicago’s Alex DeBrincat who has five goals in his last four games for a total of 28 on the season. We know he will want to get to 30 and he has been the main reason offensively that the Blackhawks have been over the total in seven of their last nine games. Carolina’s top players have been on fire of late as Nino Niederreiter had two goals on Tuesday vs Chicago and Andrei Svechnikov has nine points in his last five games. The Hurricanes will also be starting their third goalie in three games as James Reimer gets the start. Reimer is 3-1-1 in his last five but had a .895 save percentage over that stretch and looks to be the odd man out come the start of the playoffs. The Hurricanes will win games by putting big numbers on the board as six of their last eight have been over the total number. All season long these two have put on an offensive show with six of their seven games head to head passing the total number and I expect them to finish out the year the same way.

Take the Over 6.

Over 6 when published, would take it at 6.5 as well.

The Vancouver Canucks have now lost six games in a row, the Edmonton Oilers have won their last three games. In seven meetings this season, Edmonton has beaten Vancouver five times, including their last two games. The Oilers covered the spread in both games, winning 5-3 on Monday and 4-1 on Tuesday. Since the Canucks return from their Covid outbreak, it’s evident they’ve lost a step and this one should lead to another Oilers victory. The Canucks have a road record of 7-13-1 while the Oilers are 15-10-0 at home. Mike Smith is expected to get the start for Edmonton and he’s been unreal this season. He’s posting a 19-6-2 record with a 2.25 GAA and .925 SVP with three shutouts. He’s 3-0-0 against the Canucks this season with a 1.34 GAA and .957 SVP. The Oilers are on an absolute roll winning nine of their last 12 games. They’re chasing the number one seed right now, they’ll be hunting another win.

The Canucks are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games only scoring 2.3 goals and allowing 3.2 goals. Connor McDavid is chasing down the 100 point mark this season, expect him to have a big game here. He has 93 points in 51 games this season, he’s contributed to 55.6% of his teams’ total points, which’s the second most in NHL history. What we’re witnessing with McDavid is greatness, and he’s dominated the Canucks this season. He has 14 points in seven games against Vancouver this season and 41 points in 28 games in his career. If Connor can continue to make history, he should help lead the Oilers to another win against the Canucks. Take the puck line here.

Both teams this season have been more profitable taking the under. Despite the talents of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Canucks are just struggling to score and Mike Smith has played unbelievable in the net when he plays Vancouver. If Smith can continue his 1.34 GAA against the Canucks, it’s likely this one goes under. The Canucks are scoring the fourth fewest goals per game with 2.55 and have poorly averaged 2.3 goals per game in their last 10. The Oilers have only allowed two goals per game and are scoring 3.3 goals during their last 10 games. Goaltender Thatcher Demko on the Canucks has a 2.91 GAA and .911 SVP, he’s known to have some shutdown performances. Take the under.

Under 6.0 at the time of publishing.