Tag: NHL Bets

WATCH: Stanley Cup Final – Montreal Canadiens At Tampa Bay Lightning, Game 2

Analyzing the Canadiens at Lightning Game 2 Stanley Cup Final matchup.

The Montreal Canadiens have defied the odds throughout the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs by winning three consecutive series as the underdog. In two of their previous series, they lost Game 1 but responded by taking Game 2.

They’re in the same situation after dropping Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1. Game 2 is Wednesday night, and this time the trends aren’t all that favorable for Montreal.

Consider:
– The Canadiens have a seven-game losing streak in the Lightning’s rink (Amalie Arena).
– The Lightning have won Game 2 in six consecutive playoff series, which is among the reasons why Tampa Bay is the reigning Stanley Cup champion.
– The Canadiens are 9-3 in their past 12 games as underdogs, but one of those three losses was Monday in Game 1.

These factors help add up to the money line, via BetMGM, being Canadiens +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Lightning -225 (bet $225 to win $100).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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NHL Picks and Best Bets: 2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions

Looking at the NHL betting odds to win the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Final, with NHL futures picks and best bets.

The 2019-20 Stanley Cup will be up for grabs later this summer as the NHL season resumes with a 24-team playoff structure. The expanded postseason has opened up the odds, providing greater profit margins for sports bettors. Below, we’ll look at the Stanley Cup futures odds, and make our picks and best bets at BetMGM.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Favorite

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Thursday, May 28 at 2:40 p.m. ET.

St. Louis Blues (+1000)

The defending Stanley Cup champions finished the abbreviated regular season atop the ultra-competitive Central Division at 42-19-10 for 94 points through 71 games. They scored 225 goals and allowed just 193, all without star RW Vladimir Tarasenko (shoulder) for the majority of the season.

Tarasenko will return following the break and unlike most teams who try to defend a Stanley Cup title, the Blues are plenty rested after going the distance in 2018-19. The pressure has also faded, at least slightly, due to the prolonged break.

The Blues are only sixth by the odds to win the Cup despite finishing first in the Western Conference and receiving a Qualification Round bye. They’re a strong pick as the first team with odds of 10/1 or higher.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Blues to win the Stanley Cup returns a profit of $100.

Get some action on the NHL playoffs by placing a legal sports bet (in NJ, IN, CO and WV) at BetMGM.com.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Contender

Edmonton Oilers (+2300)

The extended mid-season interruption will help level the competitive playing field for all 24 teams in the expanded playoffs. For this reason, it’s smart to trust the Oilers, who are led by C Connor McDavid and C Leon Draisaitl. Draisaitl and McDavid finished 1-2 in both points and assists in the regular season, and they’ll be able to take advantage of any team showing signs of rust defensively.

Believe in the raw talent of the Oilers’ two stars as they’ll look to outscore the competition in what’s sure to be a more wide-open playoff-style than to which we’re accustomed.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Long shot

Florida Panthers (+6500)

Alternatively, look at the Panthers as your Stanley Cup dart throw. They ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference with 231 goals in the regular season while going 35-26-8. G Sergei Bobrovsky, a marquee free-agent addition, struggled through 50 games to post a .900 save percentage and a 3.23 goals against average.

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner is the biggest X-factor in this new playoff structure. The break has given him plenty of time to regroup and move past his regular-season struggles. If he can return to form, the Panthers could be vaulted into a long postseason run.

Want some action in the 2019-20 NHL Playoffs? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

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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NHL Picks and Best Bets: 2019-20 Western Conference Champions

Looking at the NHL futures betting odds to win the Western Conference, with picks and best bets for the 2019-20 NHL playoffs.

The NHL betting odds to win the Western Conference have been shaken up following the league’s announcement of a 24-team playoff format set to begin later this summer. Below, we make our picks and best bets to win the Western Conference and advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

2019-20 NHL Western Conference Odds: Favorites

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Thursday, May 28 at 2:20 p.m. ET.

TEAM ODDS
Colorado Avalanche +325
Vegas Golden Knights +350
St. Louis Blues +450
Dallas Stars +650

Colorado Avalanche (+325)

The Avalanche sat first or second in the Central Division for much of the 2019-20 campaign and finished the abbreviated regular season with 92 points in 70 games (42-20-8). Their plus-46 goal differential was the best in the Western Conference and their 237 goals scored were nine more than any other team in the conference.

The Avs were one of the most-heavily injury-ridden teams in the league at the time of the pause. C Nathan MacKinnon (lower body), RW Mikko Rantanen (upper body), C Nazem Kadri (lower body) and G Philipp Grubauer (lower body) were just a few who may have been in jeopardy for the beginning of a mid-April postseason. All are now expected to be back to full health.

The favorites in the West are well worth backing. A $10 bet will return a profit of $32.50 is they advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

Vegas Golden Knights (+350)

Like the Avalanche, the Golden Knights are heavy favorites to make it out of the West. Las Vegas is a finalist to be named as a hub city for the postseason, potentially giving the Knights a key home-ice advantage.

Vegas went 39-24-8 through 71 games to finish atop the Pacific Division. RW Mark Stone (lower body), LW Max Pacioretty (lower body) and C Chandler Stephenson (upper body) should all be back in the lineup, giving the Golden Knights one of the deepest forward groups in the league.

Get some action on the NHL playoffs by placing a legal sports bet (in NJ, IN, CO and WV) at BetMGM.com.

2019-20 NHL Western Conference Odds: Long shots

TEAM ODDS
Edmonton Oilers +1000
Calgary Flames +1400
Nashville Predators +1400
Vancouver Canucks +1700
Minnesota Wild +1800
Arizona Coyotes +2000
Winnipeg Jets +2400
Chicago Blackhawks +5000

Edmonton Oilers (+1000)

I chased value in my Eastern Conference picks, targeting strong goaltending and long shots with inflated odds. In the West, it’s all about the favorites with the odds being much more condensed.

C Leon Draisaitl and C Connor McDavid finished 1-2 in both points and assists in the regular season. They’ll draw the 12th-seeded Blackhawks in the Qualification Round and are heavily favored to advance to Round 1 of the 16-team playoffs.

Want some action in the 2019-20 NHL Playoffs? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

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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NHL Picks and Best Bets: 2019-20 Eastern Conference Champions

Looking at updated NHL futures betting odds for the 2019-20 playoffs, with picks and best bets to be crowned Eastern Conference Champions.

The 2019-20 NHL regular season is officially over and hockey fans now wait for a 24-team playoff format to begin later this summer. The interruption in the NHL has created a never-before-seen wrinkle in the hunt for the Stanley Cup. Below, we’ll look at the betting odds to win the Eastern Conference and make our picks and best bets to make it to the Stanley Cup final.

2019-20 NHL Eastern Conference Odds: Favorites

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Thursday, May 28 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

TEAM ODDS
Boston Bruins +300
Tampa Bay Lightning +300
Philadelphia Flyers +450
Washington Capitals +450

Tampa Bay Lightning (+300)

The Lightning suffered one of the worst playoffs collapses on memory a year ago. The Presidents’ Trophy champions were swept in four games in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets while being outscored 19-8.

The lengthy pause in the 2019-20 NHL season has allowed C Steven Stamkos (abdomen) and D Victor Hedman (lower body) to return to full health. Heavily-used starting G Andrei Vasilevskiy will also be well-rested and back in top form after seeming to tire out in last year’s postseason.

The Lightning led the league with 245 goals scored in 70 games. Only the Bruins (plus-53) had a better goal differential than the Lightning’s plus-50. Look for them to use the extended time off and a Qualification Round bye to correct their wrongs from 2018-19.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Lightning to win the Eastern Conference returns a profit of $30.

Get some action on the NHL playoffs by placing a legal sports bet (in NJ, IN, CO and WV) at BetMGM.com.

2019-20 NHL Eastern Conference Odds: Long shots

TEAM ODDS
Pittsburgh Penguins +1100
Toronto Maple Leafs +1700
New York Islanders +2200
New York Rangers +2200
Carolina Hurricanes +2400
Blue Jackets +2800
Florida Panthers +2800
Montreal Canadiens +5000

Columbus Blue Jackets (+2800)

The Blue Jackets loaded up at the 2018-19 NHL trade deadline and went on to win the franchise’s first playoff series since entering the league in 2000-01. Things seemed to fall apart in the offseason, as C Matt Duchene, C Ryan Dzingel and G Sergei Bobrovsky all departed via free agency.

The Jackets may have been destined to miss the playoffs under a normal 16-team format, as they sat at 33-22-15 through 70 games. They suffered a league-worst 15 overtime losses, including a 0-4 record in shootouts.

The goaltending tandem of Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins will be the biggest key to a long postseason run. They posted save percentages of .911 and .923, respectively, in the regular season. They’ll be matched up against the Maple Leafs in the Qualification Round, but they may have the home-ice advantage as a final contender to be a postseason hub city.

Florida Panthers (+2800)

The free-agent addition of Bobrovsky in goal was supposed to help turn the Panthers around and make them a frontrunner in the Eastern Conference for the better part of the next 10 seasons. However, the former Vezina Trophy winner played to a save percentage of just .900 with a 3.23 goals against average across his first 50 games of the season and the Panthers sat at 35-26-8 at the pause.

A good Bobrovsky is still a top-four goaltender in the East and the Panthers have one of the deepest forward groups in the conference. Trusting goaltending and backing long shots will be the key to turning a profit at the sportsbooks in these unprecedented NHL playoffs.

Want some action in the 2019-20 NHL Playoffs? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

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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San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesdays Sharks at Blackhawks NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, picks and best bets

The San Jose Sharks (29-35-5) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (31-30-8) in a Wednesday-night (8 p.m. ET) contest at the United Center. We analyze the San Jose-Chicago odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Sharks at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Martin Jones vs. Corey Crawford

Jones owns a 3.00 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage through 41 games. The 30-year-old veteran has been solid of late, posting a 2.25 GAA and .918 SV% in nine games since the All-Star break. Jones last appeared in a game on Sunday, allowing the Avalanche four goals on 24 shots in a 4-3 loss in San Jose. He is making his first road start since Feb. 23.

Crawford has recorded a 2.79 GAA and .916 SV% in 39 games this season. Injured the last two seasons, his 40th game tonight will mark his most since 2016-17 (55). Crawford has been sharp since becoming the Blackhawks’ definitive No. 1 netminder after the trade of Robin Lehner to Vegas. He’s carded a .927 SV% over his last 10 games. Crawford has been particularly sharp at home over that stretch (.939 SV% in four games).

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

Sharks at Blackhawks: 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 Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Chicago 3, San Jose 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Blackhawks’ offense disappeared over the team’s last two games (one goal combined) but was solid in a four-game stretch before that (17 goals plus a shootout winner). Some of that drop-off likely comes from fewer power-play opportunities in recent games after getting things going in that department in late February. Enter the Sharks, the fourth-most penalized team in the NHL, and that bodes well for the ‘Hawks leveraging the man advantage.

San Jose has posted better puck-possession and shot-type signals of late, but the Blackhawks are a couple clicks south of their Pythagorean expectation (won-loss record based on goals for and against). Both teams are playing with two days’ rest: Chicago is 9-4 in such situations; the Sharks are 6-11. San Jose is also just 1-5 when opening a road trip after a multiple-game home stand.

Will take CHICAGO -167.

New to sports betting? A successful $10 bet on the Blackhawks would return a profit of $5.99.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

San Jose hasn’t lost by multiple goals since Feb. 25. The erratic Chicago defense has yielded just 25 shots per game over its last three contests; the ‘Hawks allowed 38.5 shots per game over the four games prior.

PASS on the puck line (Chicago -1.5, +165 / San Jose +1.5, -200)

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (+115) is worth consideration and is a slight lean here. But Jones is more prone to a shaky four-goal game than most, and just a few games back the Chicago offense was clicking. The price here isn’t quite enough to trigger a play, so check the odds to see if they move in a positive direction.

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

Follow @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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Boston Bruins at Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Bruins at Flyers NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, picks and best bets

The Boston Bruins (43-14-12) visit the Philadelphia Flyers (41-20-7) for a Tuesday-night (7 p.m. ET) tilt as a couple Eastern Conference elites get together at the Wells Fargo Center. We analyze the Boston-Philadelphia odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Bruins at Flyers: Projected starting goalies

Tuukka Rask vs. Carter Hart

Rask has played in 40 games this season and owns a sparkling 2.18 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. His .940 even-strength SV% is best in the league among netminders who’ve logged more than 35 games. Rask backs a Boston defense yielding just 27.2 shots per contest since Feb.5. He’s only faced Philadelphia once over the last two seasons (Jan. 31, 2019), and has carded three shaky starts over his last five this season (combined .882 SV).

Hart has registered a 2.43 GAA and .913 SV% in 42 games. He’s been tremendous at home (1.16 GAA, .944 SV%) and has fared well of late (.947 SV% in three March games). He hasn’t solved the Bruins this season, however. Hart has faced Boston twice: he’s allowed seven goals while notching an .881 SV%.

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

Bruins at Flyers: 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 Tuesday at 1:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Philadelphia 3, Boston 2

Moneyline (ML)

Boston is 9-3 over its last 12; Philadelphia has won nine in a row. The Flyers don’t have great puck-possession numbers during the win streak, but they have been getting to the high-danger areas. Philly is getting mid-to-low-slot shots on offense and preventing them on defense. The Flyers are also the better play when figuring goals and goals against versus won-loss record. There is more upside, more of a chance of the public being a bit low in their assessment of the Flyers. And Philly is a league-best 25-5-4 on home ice.

Will back PHILADELPHIA -106.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Flyers to win outright returns a profit of $9.43.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The puck line for this game — Philadelphia +1.5 (-295) / Boston -1.5 (+230) — is loaded with 65 points-worth of juice.

PASS.

Over/Under (O/U)

This one (O/U 5.5) has a lot of clashing over and under trends.

PASS.

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

Follow @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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Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (41-19-8) visit the Los Angeles Kings (27-35-6) for a Monday night tilt at Staples Center. Puck drop is set for 10:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Avalanche-Kings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Avalanche at Kings: Projected starting goalies

Michael Hutchinson vs. Jonathan Quick

Hutchinson has been an AHL-NHL swingman for most of his career. This season the recently-turned 30-year-old has compiled a 3.47 goals against average and an .888 save percentage through 16 games between Toronto and Colorado. Acquired Feb. 24, Hutchinson is making his second start for the Avs.

Quick has been enjoying his best stretch of the season of late. The 13-year NHL veteran owned a .894 SV% through Feb. 6. He’s logged a .950 SV% in six games since and is coming off a 36-save shutout of the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday. For the season, Quick has a 2.83 GAA and .903 SV%. He’s been better at home (2.36, .918) and has stopped 62-of-64 shots (.969 SV%) against these Avs.

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

Avalanche at Kings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 12:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 3, Los Angeles 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Avalanche have been a solid play in most games over the second half of the season, but this goalie matchup tamps down confidence levels. It makes the straight-up price of -143 too difficult to reconcile with a small profit. PASS.

New to sports betting and confused about moneyline odds? In this case, a $14.30 winning bet on Colorado would return a profit of $10.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Kings have allowed just 28.5 shots on goal per contest while going 8-1-1 over their last 10 games. The Avs haven’t finished out a road trip of three or more games with a multi-goal win since Dec. 7. PASS ON THE COLORADO LINE (-1.5, +185).

Over/Under (O/U)

Recent team trends point to an Under in this one. The Under is 10-2 in the Avs’ last dozen games against losing teams. Quick’s roll — and the Kings’ better control of their own zone — makes for a confirmation on the lean. The best bet of the three here is a low-confidence play on the UNDER 5.5 (-106).

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

Follow @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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Colorado Avalanche at San Jose Sharks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Avalanche at Sharks NHL betting odds, with NHL matchup, analysis and picks.

The Colorado Avalanche (40-19-8) visit the San Jose Sharks (29-34-5) for some late-night (10 p.m. ET) West Coast NHL action Sunday on NBCSN. We analyze the Colorado-San Jose odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Avalanche at Sharks: Projected starting goalies

Pavel Francouz vs. Martin Jones

Francouz owns a nifty .924 save percentage through 31 games. He’s registered a goals-against average of 2.39 and has been a steadying influence in the absence of No. 1 goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who has been on the shelf with a groin injury since mid-February. But after posting a .957 SV% in his first six games in Grubauer’s absence, Francouz has allowed nine goals over two starts since.

Jones has registered a 2.97 GAA and .898 SV% in 40 games. He’s struggled from a consistency standpoint and has been more prone to clunkers. But Jones has been notably better over his last eight games (2.02 GAA, .927 SV%). A downside here may be the 30-year-old’s rest interval of two days. His 2019-20 save percentage in such situations in .873.

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

Avalanche at Sharks: 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 2:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 4, San Jose 1

Moneyline (ML)

In an admittedly small sample size, the Avalanche have bounced back well after clunkers on the same road trip. The Avs are certainly coming off one of those Sunday having 6-3 Friday at Vancouver. Puck-possession and shot-type analytics run counter to recent missteps, including losses in Colorado’s last two games (the Avs lost 4-3 in overtime at home Wednesday against Anaheim). San Jose is 3-6 over its last nine games at home. The Sharks are playing the back half of a Saturday-Sunday double: the Sharks are 3-6-1 with no rest days in the bank.

COLORADO -167 is a solid play, perhaps one to be coupled with the Avs on the puck line for some insurance.

New to sports betting? A successful $10 bet on the Avs to win outright would return a profit of $5.99.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Only the Detroit Red Wings have lost more games by three or more goals than the Sharks. San Jose has lost 21 such games and another six by two goals. The Avs are 10-2 in their last 12 against losing teams.

COLORADO -1.5 (+165) IS A STRONG PLAY.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total here figures as too close to leverage either way.

PASS on the 5.5 (-121/+100) total.

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

Follow @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 Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Blues at Blackhawks NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, picks and best bets

The Chicago Blackhawks (31-29-8) host the defending champ and rival St. Louis Blues (40-18-10) at United Center at 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday (on NBCSN). We analyze the Blues-Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Blues at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Jake Allen vs. Malcolm Subban

Allen is 10-6-3 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .922 save percentage this season as the backup to Jordan Binnington. Allen posted a 38-save shutout in Chicago on Dec. 2, his only one of the season. Binnington has posted a 30-12-7 record with a 2.57 GAA and .911 SV% in 49 starts. He continues to do a tremendous job, as the defending champs look poised for another lengthy postseason run. While he is 2-0-0 against the Blackhawks this season, he also has a dismal 4.01 GAA and .846 SV% against them, so that’s why he’ll likely get a break.

Subban might get a shot after Corey Crawford was a bit shaky in his most recent outing. While it might be quite the tall order for what would be Subban’s first start with the team following his trade from Vegas, he did beat the Blues 6-5 in overtime Feb. 13. Crawford is 0-3-0 with a 4.77 GAA and .867 SV% in three starts against the Blues this season.

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

Blues at Blackhawks: 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

Blues 5, Blackhawks 3

Moneyline (ML)

The BLUES (-139) are a good bet regardless of whether the Blackhawks (+115) give Crawford or Subban the nod. St. Louis has been getting the better goaltending overall this season. The Blues are also 8-1 in their past nine games overall and 7-1 in the past eight as a favorite. The favorite is also 5-1 in the past six meetings in this rivalry, too.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager for the Blues to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout would profit $7.20 if they do so.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

BLUES (-1.5, +185) is a nice small-unit play, as you can profit almost double your initial investment. While the home team is 6-1 in the past seven in this series and the Blues are 4-8-2 in their past 14 on the road, St. Louis is overall the better team with much more depth on offense and in the crease.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-150) is the best bet in this rivalry game, though the vig jumped from -110 to -150 from Sunday morning to afternoon. The Over is 7-3-1 in the past 11 battles in Chicago, and 15-6-5 in the previous 26 installments in this series. The Over is also 10-4-1 in the past 15 divisional games for St. Louis, while going 7-2 in the past nine for Chicago and 11-4 in the past 15 in which Chicago plays a team with a winning record.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI 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 Jersey Devils at New York Rangers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Devils at Rangers NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, matchup analysis and picks.

The New Jersey Devils (27-28-12) make the short trip east to square off against the New York Rangers (36-27-4) in a Metropolitan Division tussle at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET Saturday night. We analyze the Devils-Rangers odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Devils at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Alexandar Georgiev

Blackwood sat in Friday’s 4-2 win over St. Louis — a win that upped New Jersey’s record since Feb. 1 to 9-4-4 — and is tabbed for this turn at MSG. The Devils’ youngster allowed five goals on 25 shots Jan. 9 in a 6-3 Devils loss in the same building. Overall, the 6-foot-4, 23-year-old is 21-13-8 with a 2.71 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 45 games this season. Blackwood has been sharp on the road (.922 SV%) and on a major roll (.961 SV% over eight games since Feb. 6.

Georgiev has scuffled a bit at home, allowing five goals Thursday, his most recent start there. But that game — a 6-5 Rangers win in overtime — was against the Washington Capitals, a much more potent offense than the New Jersey attack he’ll see Saturday. Overall this season, the 24-year-old is 17-14-1 with a 3.05 GAA and .910 SV% in 33 games. Georgiev has registered a fine .943 SV% in two starts against the Devils this season, including a 33-save road shutout on Nov. 30.

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

Devils 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 Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.

Prediction

New York 3, New Jersey 2

Moneyline (ML)

Recent successes for the Devils aren’t supported by peripheral analytics, and a good case can be made that New Jersey is way out over its skis with even 27 wins so far. New Jersey has lost four in a row at Madison Square Garden. The past goalie-vs.-opponent numbers stack up in favor of the Rangers. And New Jersey has been awful in road games after a solo contest at home.

Take NEW YORK (-200).

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rangers to win straight up would return a profit of $5.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Rangers (-1.5, +125) have just one multi-goal win at home since Feb. 5. Going against Blackwood tamps down that angle even further.

PASS.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is: 8-1 in the Devils’ last nine games … 5-2 in the Rangers’ last seven home games … 7-1 in New York’s last eight games against sub-.500 teams.

Through Dec. 31, the Blueshirts allowed 3.8 goals per game on an average of 35 shots allowed. They’ve buttoned things up since, allowing 2.8 GPG on 33 shots per contest. Play the UNDER 5.5 (+120).

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