Tag: NHL betting odds lines spread and picks

Arizona Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Arizona Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche Saturday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes battle in Game 3 of their Western Conference First-Round series Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. We analyze the Avalanche-Coyotes NHL betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

The Avs have taken the first two games of the series, by scores of 3-0 and 3-2. The series featured Colorado as the home team for Games 1 and 2; the Coyotes will have the advantage of last change in Game 3.

Avalanche vs. Coyotes: Projected starting goalies

Philipp Grubauer vs. Darcy Kuemper 

Grubauer started Games 1 and 2, but with Saturday’s Game 3 being the second half of a back-to-back the Avs could give Pavel Francouz the nod. The rookie goaltender recorded a 2.41 goals against average and .923 save percentage in the regular season.

Kuemper was solid in Arizona’s qualification round series win over the Nashville Predators, with .933 SV% over four starts. During the regular season, the 30-year-old veteran registered a goals against average of 2.22 on the strength of a .928 SV%. Kuemper faced Colorado once during the regular season and stopped all 33 shots in an Arizona shootout victory (Nov. 2). He was solid over Games 1 and 2 but has been undone late in both contests.

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Avalanche vs. Coyotes: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Coyotes 3, Avalanche 2

Moneyline (ML)

Game 1 was a scoreless hockey game for over 50 minutes, but puck-possession and expected-goal analytics tilted heavily toward Colorado (-183). Game 2 was a more even affair, with Arizona creating more high-danger opportunities and a fairly-hot Kuemper keeping things close at the other end.

Over 85% of first-round series finish without a sweep. Colorado hasn’t exactly clicked in taking a 2-0 advantage, but the ‘Yotes have a near-40% chance of taking this one. MAKE A PLAY ON ARIZONA (+150).

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Skip the ARIZONA +1.5 (-190) proposition on price concerns.

Over/Under (O/U)

Expected goals and the defensive tone of play make the underside of 5.5 goals the lean, and the price is right. BACK THE UNDER 5.5 (-139).

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Arizona Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Arizona Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche Friday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche tangle in Game 2 of their Western Conference First-Round series Friday at 2 p.m. We analyze the Coyotes-Avalanche NHL betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

The Avs scored a trio of third-period goals in quick succession in winning Game 1 at Rogers Center in Edmonton, AB. The 2-7 matchup features Colorado as the home team for Games 1 and 2 and the Avs will have the advantage of last change.

Coyotes vs. Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Darcy Kuemper vs. Philipp Grubauer

Kuemper was solid in Arizona’s qualification round series win over the Nashville Predators with .933 save percentage over four starts.  During the regular season, the 30-year-old veteran recorded a goals against average of 2.22 on the strength of a .928 SV%. Kuemper faced Colorado once during the regular season and stopped all 33 shots in an Arizona shootout victory Nov. 2.

Grubauer registered a 2.63 GAA and .916 SV% during the regular season. The 28-year-old netminder faced just 14 shots in Wednesday’s shutout win.

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Coyotes vs. Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Avalanche 3, Coyotes 1

Moneyline (ML)

Game 1 was a scoreless hockey game for over 50 minutes, but puck-possession and expected-goal analytics tilted heavily toward Colorado. A staunch and under-appreciated Avs defense held the Coyotes to just 14 shots in the contest. Only three of those were from the high-danger area of the slot.

Still, a taut and low-scoring affair went off with the No. 2-seed pegged at -182. It’s hard to justify Colorado at -200 Friday afternoon. A price close to +185 would make for a play on the ‘Yotes, but LAY OFF Arizona at +165.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Its a tough needle to thread, figuring a low total (see below) and taking a goal-and-half favorite on the puck line. But the price on COLORADO -1.5 (+135) is solid.

Over/Under (O/U)

The underside of 5.5 goals has been hammered, but these foes have battled to some low totals the last couple years and the Under is 5-0 in their last five meetings. On Friday’s total — UNDER 5.5 (-134) — be ready to pounce on a swing back to -130.

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Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights Monday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars will begin their Western Conference round-robin tournament Monday at Rogers Place in Edmonton with puck drop set for 6:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Stars-Golden Knights NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Stars vs. Golden Knights: Projected starting goalies

Ben Bishop vs. Robin Lehner

Bishop went 21-16-4 over 43 starts and one relief appearance in the regular season. He posted a .920 save percentage and 2.50 goals against average in 2019-20 and will make his 50th career postseason start Monday.

Lehner gets the nod over Marc-Andre Fleury after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline. He went 19-10-5 with a .920 SV% and 2.89 GAA across 36 games for both teams.

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Stars vs. Golden Knights: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Monday at 5:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Golden Knights 3, Stars 1

Moneyline (ML)

Take the higher-seeded GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-129) as they jostle with the Stars (+110), Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues for Round 1 positioning in this round robin for the top-four teams.

The two teams split their season series 1-1 with Dallas winning 4-2 and Vegas winning 3-2 in overtime a few weeks later. The Knights had the superior offense in the regular season and shouldn’t be hindered too much by the absence of LW Max Pacioretty for their first game.

Lehner led all goaltenders in last year’s postseason with a .936 SV% over eight games with the New York Islanders and is well-equipped to battle with his former Ottawa Senators teammate in Bishop.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Golden Knights would return a profit of $7.75 with a regulation or overtime victory.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Go to the alternate line for the half-goal hook and a greater profit margin with GOLDEN KNIGHTS -1.5 (+220) and you’ll more than double your investment with a victory by a margin of two or more goals.

Vegas entered the midseason break with an 8-2 record over their final 10 games, while Dallas was just 3-5-2 over the same span. The Knights also had a league-best Corsi For Percentage (rate of total shot attempts) at 5-on-5 of 54.76%. The Stars were just 18th in the NHL at 49.48%.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 5.5 (-143) in a strong goaltending matchup and with the Golden Knights missing one of their top forwards. This one could even include an empty-netter for the winning side and fall shy of the projection with fewer than five total goals being scored.

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Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames Monday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Winnipeg Jets will try to even up their qualification round series with the Calgary Flames Monday at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The puck will drop for Game 2 at 2:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Jets-Flames NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Jets vs. Flames: Projected starting goalies

Connor Hellebuyck vs. Cam Talbot

In a postseason filled with surprising goaltending decisions thus far, the Jets and Flames should both be staying with what worked in Game 1.

Hellebuyck took the loss but stopped 29 of 32 shots on goal. He was among the most reliable goaltenders in the regular season with a .922 save percentage and 2.57 goals against average across 56 starts and two relief appearances.

Talbot stopped 17 of the meager 18 shots he faced in Game 1 and will give head coach Geoff Ward little reason to pivot to David Rittich. Talbot now has a .944 SV% and 2.39 GAA across 16 career playoff games.

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Jets vs. Flames: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Monday at 5 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Jets 4, Flames 2

Moneyline (ML)

Expect a spirited effort from the Jets (+125) after losing C Mark Scheifele to a hit from Flames W Matthew Tkachuk in Game 1. The Flames (-150) were able to control play the rest of the way and finished the game with 50 of the 95 total shots attempted by both teams.

The two teams met just once in the regular season with the Jets earning a 2-1 overtime victory. Winnipeg still has plenty of talent on the wings and could even shift Blake Wheeler to center to help compensate for Scheifele’s expected absence for at least one game.

Back the JETS (+125) to pull even in the series.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jets to win in regulation or overtime would return a profit of $12.50 with a victory.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Liking Winnipeg to win the game outright, I’m going to take the alternate puck line of JETS -1 (+240). If Winnipeg wins by two or more goals, a $10 bet on the spread would return a profit of $24. If they win by just a single goal, the investment would be refunded as a push.

The Jets gave up two power-play goals and a shorthanded marker in Game 1. Expect a more disciplined performance and better play on special teams with the pressure already on in this abbreviated five-game series.

Over/Under (O/U)

Lean slightly to the OVER 5.5 (+105) for a slightly-better than even-money return on your investment. Talbot wasn’t pressured much and saw just 18 shots in his first meaningful game in over four months.

The Jets will make life more difficult for him in Game 2 and more shots will lead to more goals with the rust not being fully shaken off in Saturday’s series opener.

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St. Louis Blues vs. Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the St. Louis Blues-Colorado Avalanche Sunday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The St. Louis Blues will tussle with the Colorado Avalanche in Western Conference round robin action Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. We analyze the Blues-Avalanche NHL betting odds and lines, with betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blues vs. Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Jordan Binnington vs. Philipp Grubauer

Binnington notched a 2.56 goals against average and a .912 save percentage during the regular season. The 27-year-old went 2-2 with an .857 SV% in four games against the Avalanche.

Grubauer logged a 2.63 GAA and .916 SV% during the regular season. He and running mate Pavel Francouz (2.41 GAA, .923 SV%) figure to be neck-and-neck in vying for ice time in the round robin.

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Blues vs. Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 4, St. Louis 3

Moneyline (ML)

This line looks to be solid with little wiggle room for value. The Blues have won 15 of the last 20 games in this series, but the Avs look to be an advanced-analytics value overall heading into the tournament. St. Louis is a bit more banged up. So, let’s back COLORADO (-118) as a small play.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

This series has seen five of its last six games decided by multiple goals, but PASS on the Colorado -1 (+155) proposition. Extra juice has the value outlets blocked up on that line.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Avs and Blues met twice in the 2020 calendar year. Both resulted in impressive Colorado victories by scores of 5-3 and 7-3. The OVER 5.5 (+100) is the lean.

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Minnesota Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Minnesota Wild vs. Vancouver Canucks Sunday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The 10th-seeded Minnesota Wild and seventh-seeded Vancouver Canucks open their best-of-five qualification round series Sunday at 10:30 p.m. ET in the Edmonton bubble at Rogers Place. We analyze the Wild-Canucks NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Wild vs. Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Alex Stalock vs. Jacob Markstrom

Stalock, who started eight of the Wild’s last 10 games before the pause, seems the obvious choice over Devan Dubnyk in the NHL’s restart. Stalock went 20-11-4 with a 2.67 goals against average, .910 save percentage and 4 shutouts. He is 1-1 against the Canucks in his career. Stalock is 0-1 in the postseason for his career.

Markstrom went 23-16-4 with a 2.75 GAA, a .918 SV% and 2 shutouts in 43 starts. He’s 3-2-1 in his career vs. the Wild, but was on the wrong end of two February games this seasons. The 30-year Swede injured his knee Feb. 22 and missed the last eight games before the shutdown, but he’s rarin’ to go now. Saturday will mark his first postseason appearance.

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Wild vs. Canucks: Key injuries

Wild

  • D Greg Pateryn (upper body) out

Canucks

  • LW Josh Leivo (knee) out for season

Wild vs. Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Canucks 3, Wild 1

Moneyline (ML)

The CANUCKS (-112) are my STRONGEST PLAY vs. the Wild (-106) in what is basically a pick ’em game. Due to rust, I expect more penalties than usual, giving the Canucks a slight advantage. They rank fourth in the NHL this season with a 24.2 power-play percentage, while the Wild are 25th on the penalty kill at 77.2%.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Canucks returns a profit of $8.93 – every $1.12 bet on Vancouver profits $1 with a win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The posted lines of Vancouver (-1, +165) and Minnesota (+1, -200) don’t interest me, but an alternate line caught my eye. I’ll roll the dice with a small-unit play on MINNESOTA (-1.5, +240) where a win by 2 or more goals will more than double my investment – every winning $1 bet will profit $2.40.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (+100) is also a small-unit play. The two clubs played three times this season with only one game finishing under 5.5 goals (Canucks 4-1, Jan. 12). The Wild took the other two, 4-2, Feb. 6, and 4-3 in a shootout Feb. 19.

Want some action on this NHL matchup in CO, IN, NJ and WV. Place a legal sports bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire. 

Johnny’s 2019-20 NHL record 24-16
2020 overall record 44-31-1
Strongest plays 25-13

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Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins Sunday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Boston Bruins will serve as the hosts against the Philadelphia Flyers in this battle of the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 and 4 seeds, respectively, in the beginning of Eastern Conference round-robin play at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. The puck will drop at 3 p.m. ET. We analyze the Flyers-Bruins NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Flyers vs. Bruins: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hart vs. Tuukka Rask

Hart followed up his stellar rookie season by going 24-13-3 with a .914 save percentage and 2.42 goals against average across 40 starts and three relief appearances. The 21-year-old will make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut against the highly-experienced Bruins and Rask.

Rask turned in another elite campaign with a 26-8-6 record across 41 starts. He had a .929 SV% and 2.12 GAA this season and will make his 90th postseason start.

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Flyers vs. Bruins: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Saturday at 5:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Bruins 3, Flyers 1

Moneyline (ML)

The BRUINS (-134) blanked the Flyers (+115) 2-0 in what ended up being the final game of the regular season for both teams. The Flyers had previously picked up two shootout victories by scores of 3-2 and 6-5 in the season series.

Boston has a decided edge in postseason experience and its plus-53 goal differential was tops in the NHL. Back the BRUINS (-134) in this round-robin opener as they look to retain their No. 1 seed for Round 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bruins to win returns a profit of $7.46.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Flyers had a strong offense with an elite top-six forward group this season, but they run thin quickly against the more balanced B’s. The largely inexperienced group also goes up against the wall of Rask.

Rask earned the shutout victory while stopping 36 shots in his lone start against the Flyers in the regular season. Take the BRUINS -1 (+135) and expect a push as a worst-case scenario.

Over/Under (O/U)

Even with Hart’s inexperience, this should be a goaltenders’ battle, and both teams allowed fewer than 200 goals in the regular season. Take the UNDER 5.5 (-125) in a tight affair.

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Arizona Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Arizona Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators Sunday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Nashville Predators play Game 1 of their qualification round series against the Arizona Coyotes Sunday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. The puck will drop at 2 p.m. ET as the first of five NHL games on the day. We analyze the Coyotes-Predators NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Coyotes vs. Predators: Projected starting goalies

Darcy Kuemper vs. Pekka Rinne

The 30-year-old Kuemper enjoyed a breakout 2019-20 season, his third with the Coyotes. He went 16-11-2 across 29 starts with a .928 save percentage and 2.22 goals against average.

Rinne wasn’t his usual self this season with a poor .895 SV% and 3.17 GAA across 35 starts and one relief appearance. He’ll make his 90th career postseason start and enters with a career .914 SV% and 2.49 GAA in the playoffs.

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Coyotes vs. Predators: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Saturday at 9:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Predators 4, Coyotes 2

Moneyline (ML)

PREDATORS (-129) is the play to make on the moneyline for the outright victory. They finished sixth in the Western Conference in the regular season by point percentage and will serve as the hosts to the 11th-seeded Coyotes (+110).

Nashville became a much more well-rounded hockey team after head coach John Hynes replaced Peter Laviolette in early January. The Preds went 16-11-1 from Jan. 7 through the end of the regular season. Before Hynes took over, they beat the ‘Yotes 3-2 in late December after dropping the season’s first head-to-head meeting 5-2 in the desert in October.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Predators to win returns a profit of $7.75.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Take the added value, and the safety of a push, by backing the PREDATORS -1 (+135) in hopes of a multi-goal victory. Kuemper will be making his first postseason start since 2013-14 with the Minnesota Wild.

Nashville ranked 10th in the NHL by 5-on-5 Corsi For Percentage (rate of all shot attempts) from Jan. 7 through the end of the regular season. Arizona was just 24th in the league in that span.

Over/Under (O/U)

Following suit of out puck line play, take the OVER 5.5 (+110) as the more profitable side of the line. The two regular-season meetings between these teams played to either side of Sunday’s line.

The Predators struggled to live up to expectations this offseason, but they’re back to full health and will have RW Viktor Arvidsson back on the top line alongside Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen. The Coyotes lack the depth of the Preds both up front and on the backend.

Get some action on this NHL matchup in CO, IN, NJ and WV. Place a legal sports bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.

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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton Oilers odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Chicago Blackhawks-Edmonton Oilers Saturday matchup, with NHL odds, picks and best bets.

One way or another, its going to be an icy August 1. Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, the Chicago Blackhawks will square off against the Edmonton Oilers in qualification round action at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. We analyze the Blackhawks-Oilers betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blackhawks vs. Oilers: Projected starting goalies

Corey Crawford vs. Mikko Koskinen

Crawford looks to be in line for this start after a solid performance in Chicago’s July 29 exhibition game against the St. Louis Blues. In the regular season, the veteran netminder logged a 2.77 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.

Koskinen figures to get the nod for the Oilers. The ‘Hawks chased running mate Mike Smith in a “recent” game – a 4-3 Chicago win over Edmonton on March 5. Koskinen clocked a 2.75 GAA and .917 SV% during the season.

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Blackhawks vs. Oilers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Saturday at 8:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Blackhawks 4, Oilers 3

Moneyline (ML)

In the regular season, the Blackhawks (+130) went 32-30-8, averaging 2.97 goals per game while allowing 3.06. They are the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference. The fifth-seeded Oilers (-154) went 37-25-9, averaging 3.14 GPG while yielding 3.03.

A youthful Chicago group was on the upswing, winning five of its last seven games before the shutdown. The ‘Hawks have also won three of their last four against Edmonton. Chicago’s price for the Saturday matinee series opener has some wiggle room on the value side. Consider a CHICAGO (+130) wager in this one.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The ‘Hawks and Oilers met three times in the regular season (two Chicago wins) and two of those games were decided by multiple goals. But Chicago +1 (-128)/Edmonton -1 (+105) is a line with too much juice to overcome. Coming off a four-month break, it’d be wise to stick to the moneyline.

Over/Under (O/U)

The tag here is 6 goals. It’s a fair number and likely not worth a major play, but these teams are not blessed with tremendous blue line coverage. The last 10 times these two played in Edmonton, the upside of the figure went 8-2. The OVER 6 (-121) gets the lean for Saturday.

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