NHL Best Bets Today: October 10 Picks & Predictions
Saturday in the NHL brings a whopping 14 games slate! It is the largest so far of this young season. The first puck drops at 1:00 pm ET and then the action goes all through night from coast to coast. This is a phenomenal sports day, and hockey is a big contributor.
If you will be tuning in and want to have a stake on the action, here are a few lines and bets that stand out.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins over 5.5 (-120)
Edmonton Oilers vs San Jose Sharks over 6.5 (-112)
Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+110) vs Chicago Blackhawks
Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins Over 5.5 (-120)
On one hand, the Flyers have been snake bitten to start the season. Granted, that is not great for a game total over. However, they have been allowing goals to the tune of 3.80 goals per game, and their league-worse 1.20 goals per game will come up at some point. After such a slow start, Head Coach Rick Tocchet should have a game plan that fosters more offensive chances. Boston can score goals, and Philadelphia has been prone to allowing them. If the Flyers can just bury a couple, the over has a good look.
The Bruins were a volatile team last season. Early on this year, they look to be a bit of the same. Since their 3-0 win in their home opener, the Bruins have either scored or allowed 4 goals in each of the 4 games since. The average game total in that span was 6.0 goals. Both teams are a bit of a wild card at the moment. At a total set at 5.5 goals, the over has a good chance between these teams.
Edmonton Oilers vs San Jose Sharks Over 6.5 (-112)
If the Bruins are volatile, it is difficult to find the correct word for whatever the Oilers are. Edmonton has scored 22 goals in 5 games for 5.50 goals scored per game. That alone looks great for an over. What looks even better is that the Oilers have allowed an average of 4.00 goals per game. Last year, the average total in Oilers games was 6.67 goals. Even though their average game total will come down from its current 9.50 goals per game, it may not come down much when averages begin to sustain.
The over always seems to have a good chance in Oilers games. It has even more appeal when they play against teams like the Sharks. Similar to Edmonton, last year San Jose saw high totals to the tune of 6.58 goals per game. Through 4 games this young season, the Sharks have scored 3.00 goals per game and allowed 3.50 goals per game. The pure talent on both sides, ability to score, and general inability to prevent goals gives the over a ton of appeal.
Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 over Chicago Blackhawks (+110)
The plus odds for the Hurricanes to win by 2+ goals over a team like the Blackhawks is great value. After going 0-1-1 in their first 2 games, the Hurricanes look to have captured the phenomenal form that they rode to winning the Stanley Cup last year. Carolina enters this game having won 3 straight by a combined score of 16-8. Now playing as well as they are, they now get a very favorable matchup against a Blackhawks team that will be the worst opponent they will have faced yet.
It looks like it may be a tough season for the Blackhawks again. They are 1-4-0 with a -11 goal differential. Chicago is currently allowing 4.20 goals per game, and simply do not have the offensive firepower to keep up with their opponents. With respect to Vegas, Carolina will be the best team that Chicago will played yet this season. Unless the Blackhawks play near perfect and the Hurricanes have an off-day, Carolina should be able to take care of Chicago. The plus money only makes the pick more attractive.
