Tag: NHL Betting Odds

Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Detroit Red Wings (13-38-4) are coming off a rare victory Thursday as they head into Nationwide Arena to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (29-16-9) Friday. Puck drop is set for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Red Wings-Blue Jackets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Red Wings at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies

Jimmy Howard vs. Elvis Merzlikins

Howard should return to the crease Friday after Jonathan Bernier stopped 29 of 32 shots on goal in Thursday’s win. Howard is just 2-20-2 on the season with a .884 save percentage and 4.12 goals against average. His last win was Oct. 29.

Merzlikins is emerging as one of the best young goalies in the NHL and a real contender for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. He is 11-6-4 with a .929 SV% and 2.30 GAA. He leads the league with four shutouts.

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

Red Wings at Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Blue Jackets 6, Red Wings 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Red Wings (+280) have won at least two games in a row just four times on the season. Bernier played Thursday and has made three straight starts, likely meaning the Wings will have to turn to the lesser half of their goaltending tandem in Howard. Detroit is just 5-20-2 on the road following Thursday’s victory over the Buffalo Sabres.

The Blue Jackets are an easy pick to win the game, but at -358 they’re not worth the small risk for a bet. PASS on the moneyline, and focus your investments on the spread.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jackets to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of just $3.30.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Take the BLUE JACKETS (-1.5, -106) to win by at least 2 goals Friday for a much better return on your investment. The Jackets won the first two head-to-head meetings of the year by a combined score of 10-7, winning by two goals Dec. 17 at Nationwide.

Columbus is 30-24 against the spread overall but just 11-17 at home, while the Wings are 22-33 ATS overall and 11-16 on the road. Thursday’s win snapped a nine-game losing streak for the Wings, in which they lost by 2 or more goals on seven occasions.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 5.5 (-106) and count on the Jackets to approach this total all on their own. Howard gives up more than 4 goals per game. Merzlikines is coming off a shutout win over the Florida Panthers Tuesday, but we’re likely to need only a goal from the Wings to hit this Over rather easily.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 207-196

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 New York Rangers odds, picks and best bets

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

The Buffalo Sabres (23-23-8) visit the New York Rangers (26-22-4) Friday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Rangers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Sabres at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hutton vs. Alexander Georgiev

Hutton is expected to get Friday’s start after Jonas Johansson was between the pipes for Thursday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Hutton is 7-9-4 on the season with a .891 save percentage and 3.30 goals against average.

Georgiev comes into Friday 12-10-1 on the season with a .909 SV% and 3.12 GAA. He has been at his worst at home with a .890 SV% and 3.35 GAA.

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

Sabres at Rangers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Rangers 3, Sabres 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Sabres (+155) wrapped up a five-game homestand at 1-3-1 with Thursday’s shootout loss to the lowly Red Wings. They come into Friday 4-5-1 across their last 10 games and with a record of 8-14-4 on the road for the season.

The RANGERS (-189) are heavy favorites, but they’re still a fine play coming off a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday. They’re 6-4-0 across their last 10 games and 15-11-2 at home on the season. The rested Georgiev has a significant advantage in the goaltending matchup.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Side with the RANGERS (-1.5, +140) to beat a tired opponent by at least two goals Friday. New York is 33-19 against the spread overall and 18-10 at home. Buffalo is 30-24 ATS overall and 16-10 on the road. The Rangers claimed a 6-2 win over the Sabres Oct. 24 at MSG in the only head-to-head meeting of the season thus far.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (+125) as the more profitable play. The tired Sabres haven’t scored more than three goals in six straight games. The Rangers don’t have the offense to be handle to scoring load on their own.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 207-196

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 Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New Jersey Devils (18-24-10) pay a visit to the Philadelphia Flyers (29-17-7) Thursday at Wells Fargo Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Devils-Flyers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Devils at Flyers: Projected starting goalies

MacKenzie Blackwood vs. Brian Elliott

Blackwood enters Thursday 15-12-7 for the season with a .904 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average. He allowed five goals on 30 shots and took a shootout loss against the Nashville Predators in his last start, Jan. 30.

Elliott continues as the Flyers’ primary starter in place of the injured Carter Hart. The veteran is 4-0-1 across his last five games and is 13-5-4 on the season. He owns a .903 SV% and 2.81 GAA following a 16-save shutout against the Detroit Red Wings Monday.

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

Devils at Flyers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Flyers 4, Devils 1

Moneyline (ML)

The FLYERS (-222) are chalky favorites Thursday, but we’ll take what we can get from the books for one of Thursday’s safest plays. Philly is 7-2-1 across its last 10 games and enters the day on a two-game winning streak while pushing for a playoff spot. The Devils (+180) are 3-4-3 over their last 10 games, on a three-game losing skid and buried in last place in the division.

The Flyers have won both head-to-head meetings this season, winning 4-0 at home Oct. 9 and 4-3 in a shootout on the road Nov. 1.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Devils (+1.5, -149) have gone to overtime or a shootout in four straight games, but they managed to win just one of those contests. Their previous four losses had all been by a margin of at least three goals. Back the FLYERS (-1.5, +125) to win by at least 2 goals. Philly is 31-22 against the spread overall and 18-8 on home ice. New Jersey is just 24-28 ATS overall and 11-15 on the road.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 5.5 (+120) with the Flyers handling the bulk of the scoring Thursday. Philly is 4-6 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games and New Jersey is 6-4 over the same sample. The Devils totaled just 5 regulation goals over their last three road games.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 205-192

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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Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (33-15-5) host the Pittsburgh Penguins (33-14-5) Thursday in a battle of Eastern Conference titans at Amalie Arena. The Pens and Lightning occupy second place in the Metropolitan and Atlantic Divisions, respectively. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Penguins-Lightning sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Penguins at Lightning: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Murray enters on a personal six-game winning streak dating back to Dec. 28. He stopped 29 of 32 shots in a victory over the division-leading Washington Capitals Sunday. He is 16-6-4 on the season with a .900 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average.

Vasilevskiy has won three straight games, including a 27-save effort against the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday. He is 27-9-3 with a .917 SV% and 2.53 GAA.

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

Penguins at Lightning: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Lightning 2, Penguins 1

Moneyline (ML)

The LIGHTNING (-182) are solid favorites at home, where they’re 16-7-2 for the season. They’re on a four-game winning streak and are 7-2-1 across their last 10 games overall. The Penguins (+150) are offering fair value as underdogs. They’re 14-9-2 on the road, 8-2-0 across their last 10 games and on a two-game winning streak.

Tampa Bay claimed a 3-2 victory at home Oct. 23 in the first head-to-head meeting of the season. The Lightning should be the play once again.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Lightning to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $5.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The PENGUINS (+1.5, -175) will be the play on the puck line to lose by no more than 1 goal or to win outright, and it helps hedge against the pick of the Lightning on the moneyline. Pittsburgh is 25-27 against the spread overall but 14-11 on the road. Tampa Bay is 22-31 ATS overall and 10-15 at home. We’re looking for a result very close to the season’s first meeting between the two.

Over/Under (O/U)

We’re going to go with the alternate goal projection and back the UNDER 5.5 (+135). The primary total is set high at 6.5 with the Under paying out at just -149 odds. The Lightning are 3-5-2 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, and while Pittsburgh is 7-3 over the same stretch, the two teams combined for just 5 goals the first time around this season. Both goalies are in top form.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 205-192

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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Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Chicago Blackhawks (25-21-7) host the Boston Bruins (32-10-12) Wednesday at United Center for an 8 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Bruins-Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Bruins at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Jaroslav Halak vs. Robin Lehner

Halak stopped 25 of 26 shots in a win over the Minnesota Wild Saturday. He improved to 13-6-6 through 24 starts and a relief appearance while working behind starter Tuukka Rask. Halak has a .920 save percentage and 2.42 goals against average.

Lehner took a loss against the Florida Panthers prior to the All-Star break to snap a three-game winning streak. He dropped to 15-8-4 through 27 starts and two relief appearances with a .922 SV% and 2.86 GAA.

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

Bruins at Blackhawks: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Bruins 3, Blackhawks 1

Moneyline (ML)

The BRUINS (-155) are catching adequate value on the road. They’re 14-8-3 as visitors this season and enter Wednesday’s game 7-2-1 across their last 10 contests overall including a four-game winning streak. Rask was between the pipes for a 4-0 shutout of the Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks Tuesday.

The Blackhawks (+130) are just 12-12-3 at home this season. They’re 6-3-1 across their last 10 games but coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the rival Minnesota Wild Tuesday. With both teams on the second half of a back-to-back, side with the B’s.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bruins to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $6.45.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Back the BRUINS (-1.5, +180) to win by at least 2 goals. Boston is 25-29 against the spread overall, but 13-12 on the road. Chicago is 31-22 ATS overall, but just 13-14 at home. The Bruins have won their last two games by a combined score of 10-1. The Blackhawks have a minus-6 goal differential on the season compared to the Bruins’ plus-44 margin.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (+125) with two fresh goaltenders in net. Boston is 4-5-1 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games, and Chicago is 5-5. The Blackhawks claimed a 4-3 overtime victory in Boston Dec. 5, but the B’s were without captain Patrice Bergeron.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 203-191

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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Dallas Stars at New York Islanders odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Dallas Stars at New York Islanders sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New York Islanders (29-15-6) host the Dallas Stars (30-18-4) Tuesday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Stars-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Stars at Islanders: Projected starting goalies

Ben Bishop vs. Semyon Varlamov

Bishop had the night off Monday as the Stars topped the New York Rangers 5-3. He is 18-11-3 on the season with a .925 save percentage and 2.31 goals against average. He stopped 29 of 31 shots in a win over the New Jersey Devils Saturday.

Varlamov is well-rested, having last played Saturday, Jan. 18. He lost his last four starts prior to the All-Star break to slip to 15-8-4 on the season with a .915 SV% and 2.59 GAA.

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

Stars at Islanders: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 4, Islanders 2

Moneyline (ML)

The STARS (+105) are on the second half of a back-to-back, but their No. 1 netminder is rested and travel isn’t an issue after playing at Madison Square Garden Monday. The Islanders (-125) have lost four of their last five games and six of their last eight, and they’re coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks Saturday.

The Islanders are 15-7-4 at home this season, while the Stars are 14-10-2 on the road. Dallas has the edge in both Corsi For Percentage (percentage of all shot attempts) and scoring chances for at 5-on-5 since Jan. 1. Back the visitors at plus-money.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Stars to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $10.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS on the less profitable spread and stick with the moneyline. The Stars are getting just -250 odds to cover the +1.5 and either lose by 1 goal or win outright. We don’t need the single goal of insurance while backing the underdogs to win outright. The Stars are 27-25 against the spread overall and 15-11 on the road. The Isles are 23-27 ATS overall and 10-16 at home.

The alternate line of STARS -1.5 (+310) may be worth a small-unit play, but it’s risky as they play for the second night in a row against a rested home team.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the OVER 5.5 (+125). Varlamov is well-rested but enough so that he could have some rust issues Tuesday. Bishop remains a steady force between the pipes, but the defense corps in front of him will be tired.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 202-188

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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Vegas Golden Knights at Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Vegas Golden Knights at Tampa Bay Lightning sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Vegas Golden Knights (27-20-7) visit the Tampa Bay Lightning (32-15-5) Tuesday at Amalie Arena for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Golden Knights-Lightning sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Golden Knights at Lightning: Projected starting goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Fleury is coming off a 19-save shutout victory over the Nashville Predators Saturday. The veteran is 20-12-4 on the season with a .908 save percentage and 2.78 goals against average.

Vasilevskiy hasn’t taken a regulation loss in 16 straight starts going back to Dec. 14. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner is 26-9-3 on the season with a .917 SV% and 2.55 GAA. He stopped 290 of the 306 shots he faced in January.

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

Golden Knights at Lightning: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 9:35 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Lightning 3, Golden Knights 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Golden Knights (+145) are playing their seventh game of an eight-game road trip which started Jan. 14th in Buffalo. They’ve gone 3-2-1 thus far and are 13-10-4 on the road for the season, but they’re just 4-5-1 across their last 10 games overall. The LIGHTNING (-175) have won three straight games coming into Tuesday. They’re 15-7-2 at home for the season; 7-2-1 across their last 10 games.

Both teams last played, and won, Saturday. With rest being equal, the biggest advantage in this one goes to the Lightning at home. Tampa Bay also has a plus-43 goal differential on the year, while Vegas is just plus-6.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Golden Knights to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $5.70.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Golden Knights’ last two losses on the road trip were decided by just single tallies and one of those games (at the Montreal Canadiens) went to a shootout. Three of the Lightning’s last three wins came by multi-goal margins, but I’m backing the GOLDEN KNIGHTS (+1.5, -167) to stay within 1 goal in a loss or to win outright at adequate value.

Vegas is 22-32 against the spread overall but 13-14 on the road. Tampa Bay is 21-31 overall and 9-15 at Amalie Arena. In a strong goaltending matchup, expect a tight, low-scoring game with the Lightning being unable to pull away.

Over/Under (O/U)

Following the logic above, take the UNDER 5.5 (+125). Vegas is 5-4-1 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games, while Tampa Bay is 3-6-1 against the number across the same stretch. Trust the goaltenders to keep this goal total below 5.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 202-188

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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Midseason 2019-20 Eastern Conference future odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing the NHL futures odds for the 2019-20 Eastern Conference Winner, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

We have looked at the NHL future odds to be 2019-20 Stanley Cup champions, but who are the contenders to make it to the Stanley Cup Final as Eastern Conference winners? We assess the midseason NHL future odds and make our best bets to be the 2019-20 Eastern Conference champion.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Monday at 11:20 p.m. ET.

2019-20 Eastern Conference favorites

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) celebrates a goal. (Photo Credit: Brad Mills – USA TODAY Sports)

Pittsburgh Penguins (+550)

The Penguins are +1100 to lift the Stanley Cup in mid-June and have exactly half those adds to win the Prince of Wales Trophy as Eastern Conference champs. Through 52 games, they’re second in the Metropolitan Division and just four points back of the Washington Capitals (+450) with a game in hand.

They’ve overcome injuries to C Sidney Crosby and RW Patric Hornqvist, and while LW Jake Guentzel is sidelined for the remainder of the season, they’re plenty deep enough. Four other players have at least 30 points on the season and Crosby isn’t even included in that group (29 points in 24 games). Backup G Tristan Jarry has emerged from nowhere to form one of the league’s top goaltending tandems alongside two-time Cup-winner Matt Murray. The Pens are well equipped for injuries, giving them an edge over the other top favorites.

Toronto Maple Leafs (+900)

With two teams from each of the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions having odds of +550 or lower to win the conference, the Leafs are an adequate value as they are battling Florida for the Atlantic’s third seed. Backup G Michael Hutchinson has improved as the season has gone on and is finally able to reliably spell starter Frederik Andersen and give him some much need rest down the stretch run.

Toronto has four players with at least 40 points on the season. D Tyson Barrie has added 30 points, while RW Kasperi Kapanen (10) and C Zach Hyman (14) are among the six players on the team with at least 10 goals. Sending Andersen into the postseason with enough rest has been an issue for the Leafs the last few seasons. If they’re able to address that this time, either with Hutchinson or a trade-deadline acquisition, the Maple Leafs could rely on an offense able to challenge anyone in the conference.

Place a sports bet on the 2019-20 Eastern Conference winner or other NHL games at BetMGM.

2019-20 Eastern Conference longshot

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart could be one of the more rested goalies in the league come playoffs. (Photo Credit: Perry Nelson – USA TODAY Sports)

Philadelphia Flyers (+1800)

At +3500 to win the Stanley Cup, the Flyers are getting better than half those odds at +1800 to emerge from the Eastern Conference. The midseason injury to Carter Hart could prove beneficial in the long run as he’ll head into the home stretch rested, while backups Brian Elliott and Alex Lyon have kept the team in contention in the Metro Division.

Note: Not all teams included as picks to win the Stanley Cup are mentioned here. The odds need to be taken into consideration and we’re looking only for the best values. The Tampa Bay Lightning are a better pick to win it all at +800 than they are to win the Eastern Conference at +400.

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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Midseason 2019-20 Stanley Cup future odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing the NHL future odds to win the 2019-20 Stanley Cup, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

Contenders have started to separate themselves from the pretenders as the NHL comes off its 2019-20 All-Star break and the regular season heads into the stretch run ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Below, we analyze the NHL futures odds and make our picks and best bets to be crowned Stanley Cup champions in mid-June.

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Monday at 1:20 p.m. ET.

2019-20 Stanley Cup favorites

Tampa Bay Lightning (+800)

Last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners are back to form after a poor start to their 2019-20 campaign. The Lightning have surged into second place in the Atlantic Division and fourth place in Eastern Conference through 52 games. Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy has improved month-over-month and posted an other-worldly .948 save percentage and 1.58 goals against average over 10 games in January.

The Lightning lead the league in 5-on-5 scoring-chance percentage since Dec. 1 and rank third by Corsi For Percentage (total shot attempts). These odds aren’t great with this much time left in the season, but they’re likely to only go down from here.

Vegas Golden Knights (+1700)

The Golden Knights, who fired head coach Gerard Gallant Jan. 15, have the league’s best Corsi rating since Dec. 1. Puck luck has been a real issue for the NHL’s youngest franchise, as the Golden Knights rank 24th by PDO (shooting percentage plus save percentage) at 5-on-5 with a .989 mark.

Goalies Marc-Andre Fleury, Malcolm Subban, Garret Sparks and Oscar Dansk have combined for a .903 SV%, but Fleury should take over down the stretch run in an attempt to pass the overachieving Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific Division.

Place a sports bet on the 2019-20 Stanley Cup winner or other NHL games at BetMGM.

2019-20 Stanley Cup longshots

Feb 1, 2020; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) clears the puck during the first period against Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. (Photo Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern – USA TODAY Sports)

Florida Panthers (+2500)

The Panthers will likely need to rely on a wild-card berth for a postseason spot, as it’s difficult to see them surpassing any of the Boston Bruins, Lightning or Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division. They rank second behind the Lightning, by PDO since Dec. 1, but are still just 17th on the season as a whole.

Highly paid G Sergei Bobrovsky was much better in December and January following an awful start to his tenure in Florida. If the two-time Vezina Trophy winner can return to true form, Florida’s fourth-ranked offense could become even more dangerous.

Philadelphia Flyers (+3500)

The Flyers offer a 35-1 return on your investment and that’s as high as bettors should be looking with a realistic chance of cashing this bet. The Flyers are tied for fifth in the Metropolitan Division with the Carolina Hurricanes, but the two teams are tied for ninth in the NHL (ahead of both the Golden Knights and Panthers) with 63 points through 52 games each. The Hurricanes are priced at +1650, making the Flyers an incredible value.

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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