Hockey fans are graced with a 10-game slate as part of an excellent Halloween day of sports on Saturday. Beginning at 1PM ET and going all through the afternoon, evening, and night there will be NHL action. There is a little bit of everything in store for hockey fans among Saturday’s slate, even for fans who’s teams are not suited up. If you have any obligations, try to get them out of the way early to be able to enjoy a great day of hockey. 

If you will be watching and want to have a vested interest, here are a few plays we like for Halloween’s 10-game slate. 

Bruins -1.5 (+114) over Chicago Blackhawks

Maple Leafs 3-way ML (+114)

Flames vs Avalanche game total over 6.5 (-110)

Bruins -1.5 (+114) over Chicago Blackhawks

The Bruins have been one of the stand out teams in the NHL thus far this season. That is both in general, but also compared to the expectations of them among much of the hockey world. That said, they enter this game on their first skid of the season. It is a minor skid. But ultimately they will be itching to turn around their current stretch in which they have 2 wins in their last 5 games, including consecutive regulation losses in which they scored 1 goal in each game.

If there is any team that represents a get-right spot, it is the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks have had some good moments early on this year. But by and large, they look like a favorable matchup for opponents yet again this year. Chicago’s 8 points are the 2nd least in the league, and they have a -21 goal differential. Among 32 teams, the Blackhawks rank 31st in goals scored per game, 29th in goals allowed per game, 32nd on the power play, and 17th on the penalty kill. Their -21 goal differential is the 3rd worst in the NHL. The Bruins are the better team and will play with urgency to get off the snide. Look for them to come out and run up the score on the Blackhawks. 

Maple Leafs 3-way ML (+114)

Another good team with a soft matchup on Saturday is the Maple Leafs. Similar to the Bruins, the Maple Leafs have largely been good this year, but find themselves looking to get back in the win column after consecutive losses. Also similar as above, Toronto’s appeal urgency to break a mini slump are amplified by the advantages they hold over a weak opponent. The Canucks look to be the only team more favorable to play against than the Blackhawks. 

Vancouver just snapped a 10-game winless streak in an unlikely 3rd period comeback against a struggling Anaheim Ducks. After beating the Ducks, the Canucks promptly lost to the Sharks in regulation, making it 11 losses in their last 12 games. Vancouver has been at least close to league-average in terms of goals scored per game and power play percentage. But they really struggle preventing goals. The Canucks allow the most goals per game in the league and have the 3rd worst penalty kill. A Maple Leafs team that ranks 3rd in goals scored per game and 4th on the power play have nice plus-odds to beat a bad Canucks team in regulation. 

Flames vs Avalanche game total over 6.5 (-110)

A theme here tends to be good teams that are due for a bounce back. The same applies to the Avalanche on Saturday. Only this pick is not to take them to win, but for the game total over 6.5 goals. Since a strong start to the season, the Avalanche have really struggled with consistency. Colorado enters this game 5-4-1 in their last 10, including 2 wins in their last 5 games. What gives the over appeal in this game despite Colorado’s recent inconsistency is just that, their inconsistency.

Lately, if the Avalanche do not score 4+ goals in a game, lately they are allowing 4+ goals in a game. Their NHL-ranked 2nd most goals scored per game, and 3.6 goals allowed per game over their last 5 are a good recipe for an over 6.5 goals. Adding in the 7-3 final in the prior game between these teams a few weeks ago only gives the pick more appeal. Calgary has been playing very well lately. In terms of game totals, in their last 3 games they have scored 4 goals, then 5 goals, and then allowed 4 goals. The volatility of these teams and pure team strengths and weaknesses look good for this over, even at 6.5 goals.