Tag: NHL Betting Picks

Ottawa Senators at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Ottawa Senators at Los Angeles Kings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Ottawa Senators (25-33-12) visit the Los Angeles Kings (28-35-6) Wednesday at Staples Center in a battle for 2020 NHL Entry Draft positioning. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Senators-Kings sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Senators at Kings: Projected starting goalies

Craig Anderson vs. Cal Petersen

Anderson enters on just his second two-game winning streak of the season after stopping 31 of 32 shots in a 2-1 OT win at the San Jose Sharks Saturday. He’s 11-16-2 on the season with a .901 save percentage and 3.26 goals against average.

Petersen has won three straight games to improve to 4-3-0 on the season. He has a .922 SV% and 2.73 GAA. He stopped 25 of 28 shots in a 7-3 win over the Minnesota Wild Saturday.

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

Senators at Kings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 3:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Kings 3, Senators 1

Moneyline (ML)

The two teams are tied with 62 points on the season, but the Kings (-167) have played one less game than the Senators (+135) as the two head toward playoff elimination. The Kings have won a season-high six straight games, including a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche Monday, and they’re now a strong 18-13-2 on home ice for the season. The Sens were handed a 5-2 loss Tuesday by the Anaheim Ducks to start their California swing 1-1. They’re 4-5-1 across their last 10 games and 7-20-6 on the road for the season. Back the surging KINGS (-167) at home against a tired opponent.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Kings to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $5.99.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS. Los Angeles (-1.5, +155) is on a roll, but I’m going to keep the focus on the ML above. The Kings are 38-31 ATS overall and 18-15 on home ice. The Senators (+1.5, -189) are 36-34 ATS overall and 16-17 on the road.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 5.5 (+105). The Kings have fallen shy of this combined goal total in five of their last six wins and the Sens have scored just 4 goals through the first two games of their road trip.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 277-261

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 Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s New York Rangers at Colorado Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (41-20-8) host the New York Rangers (37-28-4) Wednesday at Pepsi Center for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Rangers-Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Rangers at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Alexandar Georgiev vs. Pavel Francouz

Georgiev snapped out of a mini two-game slide Thursday, giving up five goals on 34 shots but getting an OT win over the Washington Capitals on home ice. He is now 17-14-1 with a .910 save percentage and 3.05 goals against average through 31 starts and two relief appearances.

Francouz is 20-7-4 with a .922 SV% and 2.43 GAA through 30 starts and three relief appearances in his rookie season. He lost two of his last three games on the road, and he returns home where he has a .905 SV% and 2.84 GAA in 16 games.

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

Rangers at Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 2:55 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Avalanche 5, Rangers 4

Moneyline (ML)

The Rangers (+145) kicked off a three-game road trip with a 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars Tuesday to improve to 6-4 across their last 10 games and 19-12-2 on the road for the season. The AVALANCHE (-176) took a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings Monday to wrap up a 1-2 road trip, but they return home to where they’re 17-9-6 on the season. They’re also 7-2-1 across their last 10 games overall.

The Avs are comfortably in second place in the Central Division, while the Rangers are fighting for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Back the rested hosts with the Rangers playing in their third different time zone since Saturday.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Back the RANGERS (+1.5, -189) to stay within 1 goal in a loss as a hedge against the pick of the Avs on the moneyline. Francouz has oddly struggled in his home rink, and has given up at least three goals in each of his last four games overall.

Colorado is 35-34 ATS overall and just 16-16 at home. New York is 43-26 ATS overall and 23-10 on the road.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Rangers to lose by 1 goal or win outright returns a profit of $5.29.

Over/Under (O/U)

Roll with the OVER 5.5 (-134). The Avs are just 3-7 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, but the Rangers are 8-2 against the number in the same time span. New York has scored at least four goals in three straight games, while Colorado averages 3.63 goals scored per game on home ice.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 277-261

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 Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

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

The New York Rangers (36-28-4) visit the Dallas Stars (37-23-8) Tuesday at American Airlines Center for an 8:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Rangers-Stars sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Rangers at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Igor Shesterkin vs. Ben Bishop

Shesterkin took the loss Saturday against the New Jersey Devils while allowing five goals on just 23 shots. It snapped a seven-game winning streak for the rookie and dropped him to 9-2-0 on the season. He has a .931 save percentage and 2.56 goals against average.

Bishop has lost three-straight starts and is now 21-15-4 on the season with a .921 SV% and 2.46 GAA. He has been best at home with a .931 SV% and 2.15 GAA through 26 games played.

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

Rangers at Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 2, Rangers 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Rangers (+135) have gone 6-4 across their last 10 games and now have an outside shot at a postseason berth despite sitting seventh in the Metropolitan Division. The STARS (-167) have lost five straight games for the first time since early October, but they’re still comfortably third in the Central Division.

The hosts have a 19-11-3 record at AAC and are the play Tuesday. The visitors are 18-12-2 on the road but trust in the more experienced Bishop in the goaltending battle. Of the Stars’ last five losses, four were decided by just single goals.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Stars to win returns a profit of $6.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The RANGERS (+1.5, -200) can be backed on the spread, where they’ll need to lose by just a single goal or win outright for a $10 bet to return a profit of $5.

Dallas is 34-34 ATS overall, but just 13-20 on home ice. New York is 46-26 ATS overall and 22-10 on the road. Just one of the Stars’ last five wins was decided by a multi-goal margin.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (-106). The Rangers are 8-2 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, while the Stars are 4-5-1 against the number. There have been six total goals scored in the Stars’ last three games and they’ve been shut out in two straight games. Expect a defensive focus with the Stars offense doing just enough against the rookie ‘tender for the Rangers.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 276-259

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 Edmonton Oilers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Vegas Golden Knights at Edmonton Oilers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

First place in the Pacific Division is on the line Monday with the Vegas Golden Knights (38-24-8) visiting the Edmonton Oilers (37-24-8) at Rogers Place for a 9 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Golden Knights-Oilers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Golden Knights at Oilers: Projected starting goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Mike Smith

Fleury comes into Monday having dropped back-to-back decisions. He allowed four goals on just 24 shots in a road loss against the Winnipeg Jets Friday. He’s still 26-16-5 on the season with a .905 save percentage and 2.79 goals against average.

Smith allowed four goals on 21 shots in a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday. It was his first regulation loss in seven games dating back to Feb. 13. He owns a 19-11-6 record with a .903 SV% and 2.94 GAA.

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

Golden Knights at Oilers: 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

Oilers 3, Golden Knights 1

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams are coming off wins, as the OILERS (-121) beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 Saturday and the Golden Knights (+100) topped the Calgary Flames 5-3 Sunday. The Oilers have both the rest and home advantage Monday. They’re 17-10-5 at home and the Golden Knights are just 16-13-4 on the road.

The season series is split 1-1 between the two division rivals. Edmonton earned a 4-2 victory in Vegas Nov. 23, and the Golden Knights responded with a 3-0 home win Feb. 26. This will be the first meeting of the season in Edmonton, and the Oilers get the nod.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Oilers to win outright returns a profit of $8.26.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Despite the familiarity between the two division rivals, both games thus far have been decided by multi-goal margins. The OILERS (-1.5, +220) are worth another small wager to win by at least 2 goals Monday. While the moneyline is a much safer play, these odds are too high to ignore with the same $10 bet returning a profit of $22.

Neither team has been great against the spread this season by Monday’s location split. The Golden Knights are 15-18 ATS on the road. The Oilers are 12-20 ATS at home. Edmonton opened its key four-game homestand with a 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets and will be backed by a playoff-hungry home crowd once again.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (+125) in what amounts to a playoff game with top spot in the division on the line. Both goalies were roughed up their last time out, but both are highly experienced and play well in big games. Both teams are 4-5-1 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 275-254

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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Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Washington Capitals (41-20-7) visit the Buffalo Sabres (29-31-8) Monday at KeyBank Center for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Capitals-Sabres sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Capitals at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Braden Holtby vs. Carter Hutton

Holtby has won four of his last five starts and last stopped 26 of 28 shots in a key road win over the rival Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday. The veteran is 25-14-5 on the season with a .897 save percentage and 3.14 goals against average.

Hutton has dropped his last four starts after what seemed to be a late-season resurgence. He allowed three goals in each outing and faced 30 or more shots in just two of the four games. He has a .898 SV% and 3.18 GAA for the season.

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

Capitals at Sabres: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Capitals 5, Sabres 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Sabres (+145) have lost six in a row and aren’t worthy of a wager while heading quickly toward postseason elimination. The CAPITALS (-175) remain atop the Metropolitan Division and are getting more profitable odds than they should in this matchup. Washington is 23-10-2 on the road for the season, and while it’s just 4-4-2 across its last 10 games, the Caps beat the Penguins 5-2 last time out.

Buffalo is 19-11-4 at home in 2019-20 but now just 3-7 across its last 10 games. The Sabres fell 3-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers for their fifth straight loss by multiple goals. Back the Capitals to win outright as a safe play, but there’s better value to be had on the puck line.

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

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Double down on the CAPITALS (-1.5, +150) and back them to win by at least 2 goals at plus-money. Washington is just 33-35 ATS overall but 22-13 on the road. Buffalo is 36-32 ATS overall but just 17-17 on home ice.

As noted above, the Sabres have dropped five straight by multiple goals and six straight overall. The Capitals also claimed a 6-1 victory in the season’s first head-to-head meeting, Nov. 1.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 6.5 (+120) as a value play. The Caps are 7-3 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games. The Sabres are 4-4-2 against the O/U over the same span, but the season’s first meeting topped Monday’s projection. Washington will add to Hutton’s recent troubles, while Buffalo will need just a couple goals to help push this one Over the number.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 275-254

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 Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Vegas Golden Knights sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Winnipeg Jets (34-28-6) host the Vegas Golden Knights (37-23-8) Friday at Bell MTS Place for an 8 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Golden Knights-Jets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Golden Knights at Jets: Projected starting goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Connor Hellebuyck

Fleury draws back in for Vegas after giving up four goals on just 17 shots in a loss to the Los Angeles Kings Sunday. The accomplished veteran is 26-15-5 with a .906 save percentage and 2.76 goals against average through 46 starts and a relief appearance.

Hellebuyck stopped 25 of 26 shots in a win over the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday to improve to 28-21-5 on the season with a .920 SV% and 2.64 GAA through 53 starts and two relief appearances.

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

Golden Knights at Jets: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Jets 2, Golden Knights 1

Moneyline (ML)

Take the value with the JETS (+120) on home ice. Both teams are coming off victories, with the Jets topping the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 Tuesday and the Golden Knights (-143) blanking the New Jersey Devils 3-0 Tuesday. Winnipeg is 18-14-3 at home for the season, while Vegas is 15-12-4 on the road.

The Jets earned a 4-3 overtime victory Nov. 2 in Vegas in the season’s first head-to-head meeting.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Jets to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $12.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS on the spread for the underdog Jets (+1.5, -228) in favor of the more profitable moneyline play. Vegas is 14-17 ATS on the road this season, while Winnipeg is 17-18 ATS at home, but the hosts are a more rewarding bet while backing them to win outright. Each of the Jets’ last three losses came by just single goals.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (+115) with both teams starting their No. 1 goaltender. Vegas is clinging to top spot in the Pacific Division, while Winnipeg is fighting for a Western Conference wild-card berth. Expect a playoff atmosphere. Both teams have been favoring the Under of late, as well. The Jets went 2-7-1 against the O/U across their last 10 games. The Knights went 4-5-1.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 271-253

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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Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

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

The Chicago Blackhawks (31-28-8) shoot for a fifth straight win Friday as they visit the Detroit Red Wings (15-48-5), who have lost six in a row, at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Blackhawks-Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blackhawks at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Malcolm Subban vs. Jimmy Howard

Subban’s expected to make his first start with the Blackhawks. He made a brief appearance Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, but didn’t face a shot in 1:10 of action. He was 9-7-3 with a .890 save percentage and 3.17 goals against average across 19 starts and one relief appearance with the Vegas Golden Knights prior to the trade deadline.

Howard remains without a win since Oct. 29, a stretch of 20 starts. The 35-year-old owns a 2-23-2 record with a .882 SV% and 4.20 GAA for the season.

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

Blackhawks at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 9:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Red Wings 4, Blackhawks 3

Moneyline (ML)

The Blackhawks (-176) played Thursday and dealt the playoff-bound Edmonton Oilers a serious blow with a 4-3 win for their fourth straight victory. Starter Corey Crawford was in net for each of those and Subban will make his debut looking to improve on what has been a bad season with the superior Golden Knights. The ‘Hawks have won five in a row just once this season. They’re 16-15-4 on the road.

The RED WINGS (+145) don’t inspire confidence, especially with Howard in net, but there is value Friday at home against a tired opponent starting a shaky backup ‘tender. The Blackhawks earned a 4-2 victory in Chicago Jan. 5 in the season’s first head-to-head clash, but side with the Wings to pull even in the Original Six series.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Red Wings to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $14.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The RED WINGS (+1.5, -182) can also be played with 1 goal of insurance in the event of a loss on the spread. Chicago (-1.5, +150) won only two of its last four games by 2 or more goals. The Wings have been playing oddly tight games, losing each of their last two contests by single tallies, with the first of those going to a shootout.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-154) is the easy play, so look to the alternate line of OVER 6.5 (+135) in regular time. The Blackhawks are 6-4-0 against the O/U across their last 10 games and the Red Wings are 3-5-2 against the projected totals. Both goalies will show a fair amount of rust after long breaks between starts.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 269-249

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 Islanders at Ottawa Senators odds, picks and best bets

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

The New York Islanders (35-22-8) face the Ottawa Senators (23-32-12) Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre as Jean-Gabriel Pageau returns to Canada’s capital city for the first time since being dealt at the trade deadline. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Islanders-Senators sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Islanders at Senators: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov vs. Craig Anderson

Varlamov has struggled of late with 10 goals allowed on 72 shots across his last three appearances. He has slipped to 19-13-5 with a .916 save percentage and 2.56 goals against average through 37 starts and six relief appearances.

Anderson has dropped three starts in a row, including Tuesday’s road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in which he was torched for seven goals on 35 shots. The veteran is 9-16-2 with a .897 SV% and 3.35 GAA through 28 starts and three relief appearances as he seemingly wraps up his career.

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

Islanders at Senators: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 10:23 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Islanders 6, Sens 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Senators (+135) are soon to be the second or third team to be officially eliminated from playoff contention, while the ISLANDERS (-162) hold an Eastern Conference wild-card spot. The Isles have lost four in a row, including losing two in a row at home by margins of four goals. The Sens will be the perfect remedy, especially with a spirited effort from Pageau on tap. Back the visitors to win outright.

New York leads the season series 2-0 with wins by counts of 4-2 and 4-1 in the fall.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Islanders to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $6.20.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The ISLANDERS (-1.5, +170) should also be backed to win by at least 2 goals on the puck line with greater profit potential. New York is 17-14 ATS on the road, while Ottawa is 19-17 ATS at home. The Sens took a 7-3 loss against the Penguins Tuesday, and while the Isles are stuck in a poor 2-6-2 stretch, their last five wins were all by margins of 2 or more goals. There’s no reason to believe in a Sens team headed to the draft lottery.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-125) is the only way to go Thursday. Both goalies have been struggling and the Islanders could very well take care of the 6-goal total on their own. The Islanders are just 2-8 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, but that’s largely been due to offensive struggles. They’ll pick up the slack against Anderson and the Sens, as they try to retain their playoff positioning.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 269-249

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 Florida Panthers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Boston Bruins (42-13-12) visit the Florida Panthers (33-26-7) Thursday at BB&T Center for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Bruins-Panthers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Bruins at Panthers: Projected starting goalies

Jaroslav Halak vs. Sergei Bobrovsky

Halak allowed three goals on just eight shots Feb. 22 against the Vancouver Canucks, but he bounced back last Thursday to stop 31 of 34 shots in a win over the Dallas Stars. He’s 17-6-6 on the season with a .917 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average.

Bobrovsky is expected to make his return from a lower-body injury. He is 23-19-6 with a .900 SV% and 3.23 GAA through 48 starts and two relief appearances.

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

Bruins at Panthers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 8:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bruins 5, Panthers 2

Moneyline (ML)

The BRUINS (-154) roll into Thursday on a three-game winning streak to remain atop the Atlantic Division. They doubled up the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning by a 2-1 score Tuesday. The Panthers (+125) are home underdogs after losing three in a row. They were blanked 3-0 at home by the Calgary Flames Sunday.

The season series is split 1-1 thus far, with the Panthers winning 5-4 in a shootout in Boston Nov. 12. The Bruins bounced back with a 4-2 win in Florida Dec. 14. The Bruins are 20-10-3 on the road for the season, while the Panthers are a pedestrian 16-14-3 on home ice. Take the visitors, even if Bobrovsky makes his return.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Boost your profit margin by backing the BRUINS (-1.5, +165) to win by at least 2 goals, as they did in the more recent head-to-head meeting. The Bruins are just 16-17 ATS on the road for the season, but the Panthers are a woeful 12-21 ATS at home.

Three of Florida’s last four losses were decided by at least a 2-goal margin. Boston blanked the New York Islanders 4-0 on the road Saturday ahead of Tuesday’s tight affair with the Lightning.

Over/Under (O/U)

Play the OVER 5.5 (-149). Halak is the lesser half of the Bruins’ goaltending duo with Tuukka Rask, and he may show some rust after a full week off. Bobrovsky has been shaky at his best this season, and he’s had nearly a week between starts. The Bruins had scored four goals in back-to-back games before being slowed down by the Lightning Tuesday.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 269-249

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 Calgary Flames odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at Calgary Flames sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (32-21-14) visit the Calgary Flames (34-26-7) Wednesday at Scotiabank Saddledome for an 8:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Blue Jackets-Flames sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blue Jackets at Flames: Projected starting goalies

Joonas Korpisalo vs. David Rittich

Korpisalo is 2-1-0 since returning to the lineup Feb. 24. He stopped 36 of 39 shots faced in a win over the Vancouver Canucks Sunday. He is 19-11-4 with a .911 save percentage and 2.58 goals against average through 33 starts and two relief appearances this season.

Rittich has allowed four goals in three of his last five starts while going 2-2-1. He is 24-16-6 with a .907 SV% and 2.94 GAA through 47 starts on the season.

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Blue Jackets at Flames: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Blue Jackets 4, Flames 3

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams are coming off Sunday wins, as the Blue Jackets (+155) topped the Canucks 5-3 on home ice, and the Flames (-189) blanked the Florida Panthers 3-0 on the road. Calgary starts a five-game homestand Wednesday and Columbus begins a three-game swing through Western Canada.

Back the BLUE JACKETS (+145) at good value. While the Flames hold third spot in the Pacific Division and the Jackets are fifth in the Metropolitan Division, Columbus has a better overall record with both teams having played 67 games. The Jackets are 12-9-10 on the road and the Flames are 14-12-4 at home. Calgary earned a 3-0 win in Columbus Nov. 2, but side with the visitors to earn the split in the season series.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Blue Jackets to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $15.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The BLUE JACKETS (+1.5, -167) should be backed with 1 goal of insurance while on the road. They’re 21-10 ATS as visitors this season, while the Flames (-1.5, +140) are just 9-21 ATS at home.

Columbus ranks ninth in the NHL with a Corsi For Percentage of 51.73 at 5-on-5 since Feb. 4. Calgary is 13th with a shot-attempt rate of 50.68.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the OVER 5.5 (-125) with both teams having topped the projected total in eight of their last 10 games.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 266-246

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