Tag: NHL Best Bets

Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

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The Montreal Canadiens (13-11-6) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (17-9-4) Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Canadiens-Penguins sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Canadiens at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Carey Price vs. Matt Murray

Price has emerged from a poor stretch in which he allowed at least three goals in five of six starts. He has stopped 50 of 53 shots faced in picking up back-to-back wins in his last two outings. He has a .902 save percentage and 3.04 goals against average for the year.

Murray is 10-5-4 on the year with a .897 SV% and 2.85 GAA, but he has just one win in his last eight decisions. He stopped 25 of 28 shots faced against the Detroit Red Wings Saturday.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Canadiens at Penguins: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 2, Canadiens 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Canadiens are coming off a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers Friday, but they’re just 2-6-2 across their last 10 games. The Penguins are 6-2-2 across their last 10 outings and have won three straight, including the 5-3 victory over the Red Wings. The previous two wins were shutouts with backup Tristan Jarry in the net.

The PENGUINS (-167) are the smart play with a 12-3-2 home record and plus-22 goal differential on the year. They’ve been largely unaffected by the month-long absence of C Sidney Crosby (core). The Canadiens (+137) are without C Jesperi Kotkaniemi (concussion) and LW Jonathan Drouin (wrist) and depth is a much more significant issue for them.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Penguins to win outright in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $6.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Back the CANADIENS (+1.5, -182) to keep this one close without having to face Crosby. Price is back to proper form and Pittsburgh won’t be able to pull away without a late, empty-net goal.

Montreal is 15-15 against the spread overall but 9-4 on the road. The Pens are 15-15 ATS overall and just 8-9 at home. The Habs will need to stay within one goal in a loss or win outright for a $10 bet to fetch a profit of $5.50.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 6.5 (-139). The Penguins have been forced to adapt to a slower, more defensive style without Crosby, while the Canadiens are without two of their top offensive players. Both teams are 6-4 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, but this is a marquee goalie battle.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 111-93

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips

The Columbus Blue Jackets (11-14-4) visit the Washington Capitals (22-4-5) Monday at Capital One Arena for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Blue Jackets-Capitals odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

The Blue Jackets lost their fourth in a row Saturday, falling at the Florida Panthers 4-1 in the first game of a four-game road swing.

Meanwhile, the Capitals are on a six-game win streak. C Jakub Vrana scored the winner 1:37 in to the third period to give Washington a 3-2 victory at the Anaheim Ducks on Friday to wrap up a perfect four-game road trip.

Blue Jackets at Capitals: Projected starting goalies

Joonas Korpisalo vs. Braden Holtby

Korpisalo is 11-10-1 with a 2.85 goals against average (GAA) and a .900 save percentage. He lost his last two starts, allowing three goals in each contest, and has lost three of his last four.

Holtby is 15-2-4 with a 2.78 GAA and a .910 SV%. The 2016 Vezina Trophy winner is on a four-game win streak, stopping 114 of 124 shots.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Blue Jackets at Capitals: Key injuries

Blue Jackets

  • D Zach Werenski (shoulder) out
  • C Emil Bemstrom (upper body) questionable

Capitals

  • C Nicklas Backstrom (upper body) probable

Blue Jackets at Capitals: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 1:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Capitals 6, Blue Jackets 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Capitals (-239) are not losing this one, but the price is too costly. Every $2.39 wagered on a Washington win would profit only a $1 if the Caps prevail. I can’t advise anyone to bet that kind of chalk – however, I’m going to play it for a few coins. The Blue Jackets are +195, meaning every $1 wagered would profit $1.95 if they win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

If you don’t want to take the risk with their ML, the CAPITALS (-1.5, +115) puck line offers $1.15 for every $1 wagered if they win by two goals or more. Keep in mind that Washington is 5-9 at home on the PL – the Caps’ last two home wins were only by a goal apiece. While Columbus (+1.5, -139) is struggling, it is 7-5 vs. the PL on the road (but 12-17 on the PL overall). Only one of its last four losses was by one goal. Thus, a small lean with the home team.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-154) is the STRONGEST PLAY – if you’re passing on the Capitals ML. Washington is 20-11 O/U and ranks third in the league with 3.61 goals per game. However, Columbus is 11-17 O/U and ranks 30th (out of 31 teams) with 2.45 goals per game. The positive side of this play, the Blue Jackets allow 3.10 goals per game.

Every $1.54 bet on the Over profits $1 if there are 6 or more goals.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Johnny’s NHL record: 4-5. Strongest plays: 2-2.

2019 plays (all sports): 226-199-4. Strongest plays: 94-83.

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (12-8-2) visit the Washington Capitals (17-4-5) Friday at Capital One Arena for a 5 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Lightning-Capitals sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Lightning at Capitals: Projected starting goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Braden Holtby

Vasilevskiy went 2-3-0 over his last five starts and has a 9-7-0 record through 16 starts. He has a .908 save percentage and a 2.90 goals against average.

Holtby is 3-1-1 over his last five starts. He is 12-2-4 on the season with a .909 SV% and 2.86 GAA, but both numbers have been trending in a positive direction following a shaky start to the season.

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Lightning at Capitals: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Capitals 3, Lightning 2

Moneyline (ML)

The CAPITALS (-125) are the play at home, where they’re 7-2-4 on the season and coming off a 4-3 win over the Florida Panthers. The Lightning (+105) are 6-5-1 on the road and are coming off a 4-3 home loss to the St. Louis Blues.

The Capitals are third in the NHL with a plus-17 goal differential while the Lightning are plus-11. Both starting goalies have been underachievers thus far, but Holtby is in the better form of late and will backstop the Caps to a home win.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Capitals to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $8.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Lightning are just 9-13 against the spread overall and 4-8 on the road. The Capitals are 15-11 overall, but just 5-8 at home. Five of the Lightning’s eight losses on the season were decided by just single goals with two of those going to overtime.

Back the LIGHTNING (+1.5, -250) to stay within one goal in a loss or win outright. It’s not as profitable as choosing Tampa Bay to win outright, but the insurance of a close loss makes the $4 profit on a $10 bet worthwhile.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 6.5 (-121) on a high projection. The Lightning are 7-3 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games with the Capitals going 6-4 over the same span. The goalie battle will bring out the best in both of them and the early start will also have an effect on the goal output.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 86-78

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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St. Louis Blues at Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s St. Louis Blues at Tampa Bay Lightning sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (14-5-6) visit the Tampa Bay Lightning (12-7-2) Wednesday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Blues-Lightning sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blues at Lightning: Projected starting goalies

Jordan Binnington vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Binnington stopped 39 of 42 shots on goal Saturday against the Nashville Predators, but he was charged with his third loss in his last five starts (2-2-1). He is 11-4-4 on the season with a .926 save percentage and a 2.23 goals against average.

Vasilevskiy is rounding into form following an awful start to the season. He allowed just two goals in each of his last three starts and is up to 9-6 through 15 starts. He has a .910 SV% and a 2.82 GAA.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Blues at Lightning: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Blues 3, Lightning 2

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams are missing top stars with Lightning C Steven Stamkos (lower body) and Blues RW Vladimir Tarasenko (shoulder) both sidelined. The reigning Stanley Cup champion BLUES are getting +140 odds on the road, where they’re 7-2-3 on the season. The Lightning (-167) are 6-2-1 on home ice and have won three straight games by margins of at least two goals, but the Blues are getting too much disrespect with these odds.

Both teams are being outshot by an average of two shots per game. The Blues play to a slower pace with fewer shots and goals for and against. Both teams average less than 50% of the total shot attempts at 5-on-5. Binnington has outplayed the reigning Vezina Trophy winner thus far this season, and he makes the Blues the play with the opportunity to turn a $10 bet into a $14 profit.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

I like the BLUES (+1.5, -189) to win outright and they’re getting much more favorable odds on the moneyline, but the value is still adequate for a goal of insurance in the event of a loss. St. Louis is 11-14 on the puck line overall but it’s 7-5 on the road. Tampa Bay is 9-12 overall and 5-4 at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Lightning have hit the Over in seven of their last 10 games, while the Blues are 2-8 against the Over/Under across the same span. Take the UNDER 6.5 (-154) in a battle of two of the league’s top goaltenders and with a top offensive star sitting out for each side.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 84-71

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Carolina Hurricanes at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Carolina Hurricanes at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Carolina Hurricanes (14-8-1) visit the Detroit Red Wings (7-15-3) Sunday at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Hurricanes-Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Hurricanes at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Petr Mrazek vs. Jimmy Howard

Mrazek has won four of his last five starts and is now tied for the league lead with 11 wins through 16 games played. He has a .903 save percentage and 2.63 goals against average, as he has benefited from plenty of goal support.

Howard has allowed at least three goals in each of his last five starts, and he went 0-4-1 over that time. He is 2-9-1 on the season with an .883 SV% and 3.98 GAA.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Hurricanes at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Hurricanes 6, Red Wings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The HURRICANES (-167) are heavy road favorites over the Red Wings (+140). Both teams played Saturday night with Carolina dropping the Florida Panthers 4-2 on home ice and Detroit falling 5-1 at the New Jersey Devils for a fifth straight loss.

The Hurricanes are 6-4-1 on the road while the Wings are 4-6-1 at home. Carolina has a goal differential of plus-0.52 with 3.48 goals for per game and 2.96 allowed. Detroit is minus-1.44 with a league-worst 2.36 goals for per game and 3.80 goals allowed.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Hurricanes to win outright in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $6.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Hard pass on the puck line. The Hurricanes are getting -455 odds to cover +1.5 and either lose by a goal or win outright. The same $10 wager fetches a meager profit of $2.20. Stick with the moneyline, as the Hurricanes will be winning this game outright.

Over/Under (O/U)

The top play of the day is OVER 6.5 (+115). Both teams are tired, but that swings more heavily in Carolina’s favor as the deeper and better team in every area of the ice. The Hurricanes are 5-5 against the O/U across their last 10 games while the Wings are 5-4-1 over the same span. Carolina wins this handily and takes care of the bulk of the scoring.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 71-65

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Buffalo Sabres at Florida Panthers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Florida Panthers (12-6-5) host the Buffalo Sabres (10-9-3) Sunday at BB&T Center in Sunrise. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Panthers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Sabres at Panthers: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hutton vs. Sam Montembeault

Hutton is on a six-game losing streak (0-4-2) and has allowed at least four goals in each of his last three starts. Nonetheless, he still owns a .909 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average with two shutouts.

Montembeault has picked up two straight wins including a 15-save relief effort in favor of Sergei Bobrovsky. The 23-year-old has a .903 save percentage and 2.96 GAA through six games played and sports a 3-1-1 record.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Sabres at Panthers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Sabres 3, Panthers 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Panthers are coming off of a 4-2 loss at Carolina on Saturday. The defeat snapped a three-game winning streak. The Sabres have been off since taking a 3-2 loss at the Boston Bruins on Thursday. They’ve lost three straight and nine of their last 10 games dating back to Oct. 28.

Florida is 6-2-2 at home while Buffalo enters Sunday with a 4-6-1 road record. The SABRES +125 is the play as the club comes in rested. Buffalo will be able to take advantage of a tired Panthers squad. The two sides last met Oct. 11, with the Sabres taking a 3-2 shootout victory at home.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

BUFFALO (+1.5, -209) is also a fine play when being spotted a goal. The Sabres are 12-10 ATS overall and 6-5 on the road. The Panthers are 12-11 overall but just 4-6 at home.

Five of the Sabres’ last nine losses were decided by just a single goal with two going to extra time. Seven of the Panthers’ last nine games were decided by a goal.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Sabres to win or lose by no more than one goal returns a profit of $4.78. The same bet for a straight-up victory fetches a $12.50 profit.

Over/Under (O/U)

Side with the UNDER 6.5 (-139) with the Panthers coming in tired. The Sabres have gone 3-7 against the projected totals across their last 10 games while the Panthers went 7-3.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 71-65

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Ottawa Senators (10-11-1) host the New York Rangers (9-8-2) Friday at Canadian Tire Centre, with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Rangers-Senators sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Rangers at Senators: Projected starting goalies

Henrik Lundqvist vs. Craig Anderson

Lundqvist is 5-4-1 with a .910 save percentage and a 3.31 goals against average. His last outing was one of his most impressive of the season, as he stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 4-1 home win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

Anderson is 4-7-0 through 11 starts and two relief appearances. He sports a .901 SV% and 3.11 GAA. He stopped 35 of 36 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. This will be his first home start since Oct. 27.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Rangers at Senators: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Senators 4, Rangers 2

Moneyline (ML)

The SENATORS (-115) are slight favorites on home ice as winners of two straight. They have taken advantage of a favorable schedule of late to go 4-1 over their last five games and 6-2 over their last eight. Despite the 4-1 win over the Capitals on Wednesday, the Rangers are just 2-2 across their last four and lost their last two road games in Florida by a combined 13-6.

Ottawa is 6-4 on home ice while New York is 3-4 on the road. Side with the home team.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Sens to win outright in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $8.70.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

OTTAWA (-1.5, +220) is a more profitable play when laying a goal and needing to win by two or more tallies. New York is dealing with injuries to C Mika Zibanejad (upper body) and D Marc Staal (ankle). Sens LW Vladislav Namestnikov (lower body), C Artem Anisimov (groin) and D Erik Brannstrom (undisclosed) remain sidelined.

The Rangers are 12-7 ATS but a less-impressive 4-3 ATS on the road. The Sens are 12-10 overall and 6-4 at home. This is a rematch of a Nov. 4 game in New York, which the Sens won 6-2.

Over/Under (O/U)

The two games played between the teams this year have fallen to either side of Friday’s projected total of 6.5. Take the UNDER (-134) with injuries negatively affecting both sides.

The Rangers are 4-6 against the O/U across their last 10 games. The Senators are 3-7 over their last 10.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 64-63

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Penguins-Islanders odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The scorching-hot New York Islanders (15-3-1) host the Metropolitan Division-rival Pittsburgh Penguins (11-7-3) Thursday at Barclays Center. The puck is scheduled to drop shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Penguins-Islanders odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Penguins at Islanders: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Thomas Greiss

Murray has dropped each of his last three decisions, though two of those were in overtime. He allowed a total of 10 goals over the stretch while facing more than 27 shots on goal just once. He has a .910 save percentage and a 2.52 goals against average on the season.

Greiss has won seven straight starts dating back to Oct. 11. He is 8-1-0 through nine starts and a relief appearance with a 1.98 GAA and a league-best .938 SV%. He has allowed more than two goals in just two starts.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Penguins at Islanders: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Islanders 4, Penguins 3

Moneyline (ML)

This rematch comes on the heels of a 5-4 overtime road victory for New York Tuesday which evened the season series between the two. The Islanders, second in the Metro Division, are 9-2-1 at home. They haven’t lost in regulation since falling 5-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes Oct. 11. They’ve lost in overtime just once in their last 15 games. The Penguins sit fourth in the division and come into Thursday with a 4-4-1 road record.

Pittsburgh remains without C Sidney Crosby (groin), C Nick Bjugstad (undisclosed), D Kris Letang (lower body) and now D Justin Schultz (undisclosed). The ISLANDERS (-143) will get this one done in regulation.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Isles to win outright in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $7.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The spread is a much tougher call, as the Islanders are only 6-6 against the spread at home despite the near-perfect moneyline record. Six of New York’s last seven games were decided by single tallies, including Tuesday’s win over the Penguins.

Back PITTSBURGH (+1.5, -239) to keep this one within a goal in a loss, or win outright. The Pens are 5-4 on the puck line as visitors.

Over/Under (O/U)

The juice is on the OVER 5.5 (-121) after Tuesday’s game saw the two teams combine for nine total goals. It’s our play with the Islanders 7-3 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 61-63

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Capitals-Rangers odds: Washington heavily favored in the Big Apple

Previewing Wednesday’s Washington Capitals at New York Rangers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Washington Capitals (16-3-4) visit the New York Rangers (8-8-2) Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Capitals-Rangers odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Capitals at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Braden Holtby vs. Henrik Lundqvist

Holtby leads the league with 11 wins through 16 starts, while being hit with just one regulation loss and three overtime/shootout defeats. He has a .906 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average with both rates improving following a shaky start.

King Henrik is 4-4-1 through 10 starts and a relief appearance. The 37-year-old has a .905 SV% and 3.54 GAA. Both numbers are the worst of his career with his GAA more than a full goal above his career average.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Capitals at Rangers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Capitals 4, Rangers 1

Moneyline (ML)

The CAPITALS (-189) about as safe as a choice as we see in hockey. An outright win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns an adequate profit of $5.30 off of a $10 bet.

Washington leads the Metropolitan Division and is 10-1-1 away from home for the season. The Rangers are 5-4-2 at MSG, but they’re seventh in the division. The Capitals enter having won two straight games, most recently beating the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 Monday. The Rangers have lost back-to-back games, but they’ve been off since losing 4-3 to the Florida Panthers Saturday.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The wiser play is to put the same $10 bet toward the CAPITALS on the spread (-1.5, +135) with the same investment fetching a profit of $13.50. Washington is 15-8 on the puck line and an impressive 10-2 as the visitor. New York is 11-7 overall and 7-4 at home, but Lundqvist is severely outmatched by Holtby at this stage of his career.

The Rangers are tied for last in the NHL while being outshot by 6.8 shots on goal per game. The Capitals are just above neutral at plus-0.4 SOG/game, but they’re plus-0.78 goals per game.

New to sports betting? The Capitals will need to win by two or more goals for this bet to cash.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 6.5 (-120). The Capitals are 7-3 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games while the Rangers are 5-5 over the same stretch. New York shouldn’t be counted on for more than a goal or two against Holtby, while a four-goal output from Washington would leave this one short of the projected total.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 60-61

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Lightning-Blues odds: St. Louis a small home dog

Previewing Tuesday’s Tampa Bay Lightning at St. Blues sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (9-6-2) visit the St. Louis Blues (12-4-5) Tuesday at Enterprise Center with the puck scheduled to drop shortly after 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Lightning-Blues odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Lightning at Blues: Projected starting goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Jordan Binnington

Vasilevskiy is 7-5-0 through 12 starts with a .901 save percentage and a 3.02 goals against average. He dropped his last start while giving up three goals on 26 shots against after picking up consecutive wins.

Binnington is 9-3-4 through 16 starts. He has a .919 SV% and a 2.40 goals against average. He allowed three goals on 24 shots on goal in a loss to the Anaheim Ducks his last time out.

Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.

Lightning at Blues: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:40 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Lightning 3, Blues 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Blues (+105) are underdogs at home as they’re still without star RW Vladimir Tarasenko (shoulder). The reigning Stanley Cup champs are in first place in the Central Division and are 5-2-3 on home ice. They’ve dropped three straight games, but only the last (a 4-1 home loss to the Ducks) was in regulation. They had previously won seven straight.

The LIGHTNING (-125) are 5-4-1 on the road. They’re coming off of a three-game homestand and lost 4-3 to the Winnipeg Jets Saturday after winning each of the first three games. Tampa Bay has scored 64 goals and allowed 59 through 17 games, while St. Louis has scored 62 against 61 allowed. Take the visitors.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Lightning to win outright returns a profit of $8.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Get better value with the LIGHTNING with +200 odds to cover -1.5 and win by two or more goals. The same $10 bet fetches a profit of $20.

Tampa Bay is 6-11 overall against the spread and 3-7 on the road, but the Blues are just 2-8 ATS at home despite being 8-13 overall. Two of the Lightning’s last three wins were each by margins of at least two goals.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 6.5 (-139) in a battle of two top goaltenders. Vasilevskiy hasn’t rounded into proper form of yet and is well off of last year’s Vezina Trophy-winning pace, but a test against Binnington and the champs will be further motivation.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 56-56

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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