Tag: NHL Betting Picks

Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at Philadelphia Flyers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Philadelphia Flyers (32-20-7) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-18-12) Tuesday at Wells Fargo Center for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. The two Metropolitan Division rivals are battling it out for Eastern Conference playoff position. We analyze the Blue Jackets-Flyers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blue Jackets at Flyers: Projected starting goalies

Elvis Merzlikins vs. Carter Hart

Merzlikins is 0-2-2 across his last four outings after winning eight straight games. He is 12-8-6 with a .928 save percentage and 2.20 goals against average through 26 starts and two relief appearances.

Hart took a loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday while allowing four goals on 23 shots. The sophomore is 17-12-3 with a .906 SV% and 2.59 GAA through 32 starts and three relief appearances.

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

Blue Jackets at Flyers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Tuesday at 9:25 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Flyers 2, Blue Jackets 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Blue Jackets (+125) have dropped five straight games but still hold a one-point edge over the FLYERS (-150) in the standings. Philly is 6-3-1 across its last 10 games and 19-5-4 on home ice for the season; Columbus is a lackluster 12-7-9 on the road. The Jackets took a 4-3 shootout loss against the Devils in New Jersey Sunday, while the Flyers lost 5-3 at the Lightning Saturday.

The Flyers lead the season series 2-0 with a 7-4 (Oct. 26) home win and 3-2 (Nov. 27) win on the road. The two sides play an ultra-important home-and-home Tuesday and Thursday. Back the better-rested home side, as Philly has been in the all-around better form of late.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Flyers to win would return a profit of $6.67.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Both teams have been strong against the spread and they’re both in the stronger half of their respective location split. The BLUE JACKETS (+1.5, -227) should be backed with 1 goal of insurance in the event of a loss. They’re 33-27 ATS overall and 19-9 on the road. The Flyers are also 19-9 ATS at home.

Columbus has gone to overtime or a shootout in three of its last four games and five of its last nine.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (-125) with the expectation of two previously hot goaltenders getting back to form following rough outings over the weekend. Hart has a GAA of just 1.65 on home ice, while Merzlikins leads the NHL with five shutouts.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 235-224

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Tampa Bay Lightning at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Tampa Bay Lightning at Colorado Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (39-15-5) visit the Colorado Avalanche (33-18-6) Monday at Pepsi Center for a 9 p.m. ET puck drop. The Lightning go for an 11th-straight victory, while the Avs look to snap a two-game losing skid. We analyze the Lightning-Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Lightning at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Pavel Francouz

Vasilevskiy has allowed just one goal in three of his last four starts while extending his personal winning streak to eight games. He’s 32-9-3 on the season with a .921 save percentage and 2.42 goals against average. Vasilevskiy was torched by the Avs for six goals on 24 shots earlier this season.

Francouz has been exceptional for the Avalanche this season in his first full NHL campaign. He is 13-5-2 with a .925 SV% and 2.44 GAA for his rookie season. Francouz stopped 44 of 46 shots in a win over the Lightning earlier this year.

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

Lightning at Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Lightning 3, Avalanche 1

Moneyline (ML)

The LIGHTNING (-125) come into Monday as the favorites on the road. Both teams last played Saturday, with the Avalanche (+105) losing 3-1 to the Los Angeles Kings, and the Lightning topping the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3. The Avs earned a 6-2 victory over the Lightning in Tampa Oct. 19, but that was amid a poor starting stretch to the season for the hosts.

The Lightning are 19-8-3 on the road for the season and have a league-best plus-55 goal differential through 59 games. Five of their 10 straight wins came on the road. The Avalanche are 15-9-4 on home ice and carry a goal differential of plus-43 through 57 games. Tampa Bay will lose eventually, but it won’t be Monday and the odds are still profitable enough to warrant a play.

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

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

After a pair of 2-1 overtime victories over the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins to extend their streak to eight straight wins, the Lightning have won their last two games by two goals each. Back the LIGHTNING (-1.5, +200) to win by at least two goals once again to double your money.

Tampa Bay is 27-32 against the spread overall and 13-17 on the road, while Colorado is 32-25 ATS overall but just 14-14 at home. Seven of the Lightning’s last 10 wins have been by margins of at least two goals.

Over/Under (O/U)

Play the alternate total line (in regular time) Monday and back the UNDER 5.5 (+135). The Lightning are just 2-5-3 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games and the Avs are 4-6-0 over the same stretch. Both of Monday’s goaltenders are in top form.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 234-222

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Washington Capitals at Arizona Coyotes odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Washington Capitals at Arizona Coyotes sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Washington Capitals (37-15-5) visit the Arizona Coyotes (28-24-8) Saturday at Gila River Arena for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Capitals-Coyotes sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Capitals at Coyotes: Projected starting goalies

Braden Holtby vs. Antti Raanta

Holtby is coming off a road win over the Colorado Avalanche Thursday in which he stopped 32 of 34 shots on goal. He is 21-11-4 on the season with a .896 save percentage and 3.14 goals against average.

Raanta took the loss against the Ottawa Senators Thursday, as he allowed three goals on 31 shots. The 30-year-old is 11-13-3 with a .915 SV% and 2.83 GAA through 27 starts and a relief appearance.

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

Capitals at Coyotes: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 11:35 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Capitals 4, Coyotes 3

Moneyline (ML)

The Coyotes (+120) have gone just 2-5-3 across their last 10 games to begin slipping out of the Western Conference playoff picture. They’re 13-11-4 at home for the season as they return from a 1-2-1 Eastern Conference road trip.

The CAPITALS (-143) will be the play following their 3-2 win in Colorado Thursday. The Caps are an incredible 21-6-1 on the road for the season and enter Saturday 6-4-0 across their last 10 games.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Coyotes earned a 4-3 shootout victory in the lone head-to-head meeting of the season thus far, Nov. 11 in Washington. They also lost each of their last two games by 3-2 scores, with one of those going to overtime.

Back the COYOTES (+1.5, -228) with a goal of insurance in the event of a loss. The Capitals (-1.5, +185) are 30-27 against the spread overall and 20-8 on the road, but a large chunk of those games have come as underdogs to cover a spread of +1.5. The ‘Yotes are 33-27 ATS overall and 14-14 at home. The insurance for the home side is worth the modest amount of chalk.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Coyotes played to a final score of 3-2 in each of their last three games. They’re 4-6 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games while the Capitals are 7-2-1 against the O/U in the same span. Take the OVER 5.5 (-139) with Washington having topped this projection in nine of its last 10 games.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 233-217

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Philadelphia Flyers (32-19-7) visit the Tampa Bay Lightning (38-15-5) Saturday for a 4 p.m. ET puck drop at Amalie Arena. We analyze the Flyers-Lightning sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Flyers at Lightning: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hart vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Hart is 2-0 since returning to the lineup Feb. 10. He stopped 56 of a total of 59 shots in a home-and-home sweep of the Florida Panthers. The 21-year-old is 17-11-3 on the season with a .908 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average.

Vasilevskiy has rifled off seven straight victories, and he hasn’t suffered a regulation loss since Dec. 14. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner is 31-9-3 on the year with a .921 SV% and 2.41 GAA.

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

Flyers at Lightning: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Flyers 2, Lightning 1

Moneyline (ML)

Hart got the road win his last time out, but he remains just 3-9-1 with a .857 SV% and 3.85 GAA through 16 road games. As a result, the FLYERS (+155) are just 13-14-3 on the road for the season. They’ll be our play Saturday with Hart back in top form as the Flyers push for a playoff spot.

The Lightning (-189) are on a nine-game winning streak but Steven Stamkos (lower body) and Nikita Kucherov (lower body) remain questionable for the matinee tilt. The odds weigh too heavily on Tampa Bay’s winning streak, and a good Flyers team is worth a shot. The Lightning earned a 1-0 win Jan. 11 in Philadelphia in the only head-to-head meeting of the year thus far.

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

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The FLYERS (+1.5, -167) should also be backed with 1 goal of insurance in the event of a loss. Two of the Lightning’s last three games went to overtime and were decided by a score of 2-1. The Flyers are 34-24 against the spread overall and 15-15 on the road. The Lightning are 26-32 ATS overall and 13-15 at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

Play the alternate total line and bet UNDER 5.5 (+135) for a better return on your investment. The actual line of 6.5 pays out at just -154 for the Under.

The Lightning, led by Vasilevskiy, have played to the Over just once across their last 10 games. The Flyers are 5-5 against the projected total over their last 10 games.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 233-217

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s San Jose Sharks at Winnipeg Jets sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Winnipeg Jets (29-24-5) host the San Jose Sharks (24-28-4) Friday at Bell MTS Place for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Sharks-Jets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Sharks at Jets: Projected starting goalies

Aaron Dell vs. Connor Hellebuyck

Dell is coming off a start against the Calgary Flames Monday in which he allowed six goals on 37 shots. He is 3-2-0 across his last five outings and 11-11-2 on the season. He has a .909 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average.

Hellebuyck, an All-Star, took the loss Tuesday against the New York Rangers while giving up four goals on 32 shots. He’s 24-17-5 on the season with a .919 SV% and 2.71 GAA.

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

Sharks at Jets: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Jets 6, Sharks 3

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams enter off of the aforementioned losses. The Jets (-154) will have the home-ice advantage Friday, but the Sharks (+125) have had an extra day of rest. Winnipeg is just 4-5-1 over its last 10 games and a disappointing 14-13-3 at home this season, while San Jose is 4-6-0 over its last 10 overall and just 10-14-3 on the road.

The JETS (-154) are the play, as they lead the head-to-head season series 2-0 with 3-2 and 5-1 victories both coming in San Jose. The Jets have a goal differential of minus-2 but remain in contention for a Western Conference wild-card spot. The Sharks are minus-40 in goal differential and are headed for the draft lottery.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Based on the Sharks’ horrible goal differential, we’re backing the JETS (-1.5, +170) to win by at least 2 goals. The Sharks are 26-30 against the spread on the season and 13-14 on the road. The Jets are 34-24 ATS overall and 14-16 at home.

Winnipeg had won three straight games all by margins of at least 2 goals prior to Tuesday’s loss. Each of the Sharks’ last six losses was by a margin of at least 2 goals.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 6.5 (+125) as the more profitable side of the total bet. Both teams have hit the Over five times in their last 10 games. Both meetings this season fell below Friday’s projected total, but both goalies enter the day in poor form.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 232-212

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and best bets

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

The Columbus Blue Jackets (30-17-11) host the New York Rangers (29-23-4) Friday at Nationwide Arena for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Rangers-Blue Jackets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Rangers at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies

Henrik Lundqvist vs. Elvis Merzlikins

Lundqvist is 10-11-3 through 25 starts and three relief appearances. He has a .907 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average for the season. He took the loss against the Dallas Stars his last time out (Feb. 3) while giving up four goals on just 15 shots.

Merzlikins has had a few days off after last stopping 28 of 30 shots in an overtime loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday. The rookie is 12-7-5 with a .930 SV% and 2.19 GAA.

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

Rangers at Blue Jackets: 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

Blue Jackets 3, Rangers 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Blue Jackets (-139) are continuing their unexpected fight for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot, while the Rangers (+115) are finishing out the season. That said, the Rangers enter Friday having won three straight games, including a 4-3 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild Thursday. The Jackets have lost three straight, including a 4-3 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres Thursday.

Both teams will be tired having gone the distance the night before, and the home-ice advantage is largely negated for Columbus, as it had to travel back from Buffalo. Both of Friday’s projected starters had the night off, at least. This swings the needle back toward the BLUE JACKETS (-139) to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout. The Jackets beat the Rangers 2-1 Jan. 19 to even the season series at a game apiece.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Siding with Merzlikins, who already leads the league with five shutouts this season, back the BLUE JACKETS (-1.5, +195) to win by at least 2 goals for a return of nearly double your investment. New York is 36-20 against the spread overall and 17-9 on the road, while Columbus is 33-25 ATS overall and just 14-17 at home. The Rangers last two losses with Lundqvist in net were each decided by at least a 2-goal margin.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 5.5 (+100) as the more profitable side of the total bet with Merzlikins back in net Friday. Both teams have hit the Over just three times in their last 10 games. Both meetings this season fell short of Friday’s projected total.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 232-212

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

New York Rangers at Minnesota Wild odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s New York Rangers at Minnesota Wild sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New York Rangers (28-23-4) visit the Minnesota Wild (27-23-6) Thursday at Xcel Energy Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Rangers-Wild sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Rangers at Wild: Projected starting goalies

Henrik Lundqvist vs. Devan Dubnyk

Lundqvist is 10-11-3 through 25 starts and three relief appearances with a .907 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average. He took the loss Feb. 3 against the Dallas Stars while allowing four goals on just 15 shots.

Dubnyk comes into Thursday with a 10-14-2 record through 25 starts and two relief appearances. He owns a .893 SV% and 3.33 GAA. He stopped 30 of 33 shots in a loss to the Colorado Avalanche Sunday.

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

Rangers at Wild: 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 4, Wild 3

Moneyline (ML)

The RANGERS (+120) are a strong value play on the road. They’re 6-4 across their last 10 games and a respectable 12-11-2 on the road for the season as they enter Thursday on a two-game winning streak. They beat the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 Sunday and topped the Winnipeg Jets by the same score Tuesday.

The Wild (-143) shouldn’t be favored by this much, despite their strong 17-8-4 record on home ice. They’re 7-3 across their last 10 games and coming off a 4-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday but with G Alex Stalock in net. Dubnyk has been the weaker of the two goaltenders all season.

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

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The RANGERS (+1.5, -227) should also be backed with 1 goal of insurance in the event of a loss. New York is 35-20 against the spread on the season and 16-9 on the road. Minnesota is 30-26 ATS overall but just 15-14 at home. The Rangers earned a 3-2 overtime victory in the first head-to-head meeting of the season, Nov. 25.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-143) is Thursday’s best play between two volatile goaltenders. The Rangers are just 2-7-1 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games and the Wild are 3-5-2 over the same stretch, but the Rangers have scored at least four goals in three of their last four games. The Wild have scored three times in four of their last five outings.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 227-209

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Philadelphia Flyers at Florida Panthers odds, picks and best bets

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

The Florida Panthers (30-20-6) host the Philadelphia Flyers (31-19-7) Thursday at BB&T Center for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Flyers-Panthers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Flyers at Panthers: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hart vs. Sergei Bobrovsky

Hart stopped 30 of 31 shots in a win over these Panthers Monday in Philadelphia in his first start back from injury. The 21-year-old is 16-11-3 with a .908 save percentage and 2.55 goals against average on the season. He has been much better at home, however, as he’s just 2-9-1 on the road with a .850 SV% and 4.01 GAA this season.

Bobrovsky—in the first year of a seven-year, $70 million contract—has dropped three straight games in regulation. He allowed a total of 12 goals on 84 shots. He is 20-16-5 with a .898 SV% and 3.27 GAA for the season.

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

Flyers at Panthers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Flyers 3, Panthers 2

Moneyline (ML)

The FLYERS (+110) are the play at plus-money on the road. Philly is 6-3-1 across its last 10 games while Florida (-134) is 5-4-1 over the same span. Both teams are in competition for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference Playoffs race. The Flyers are coming off a 5-3 road loss against the New York Islanders Tuesday. The Panthers beat the New Jersey Devils 5-3 Tuesday. Both teams had their backup goalies in net for those games.

The head-to-head season series is split 1-1; the Panthers won 5-2 at home Nov. 19 and the Flyers responded with the 4-1 home win Monday. Look for some correction to Hart’s lopsided location splits down the stretch run.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Flyers (+1.5, -228) can be played on the spread, but with a $10 bet returning a profit of just $4.40 should they lose by a single goal, I’m going to PASS on the puck line and stick with the outright win for the road dogs.

Philly is 33-24 against the spread overall but 14-15 on the road. Florida is 29-27 ATS overall but just 12-16 at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 6.5 (-139) to align with our moneyline pick of the Flyers. The goaltending matchup has this line propped up from the standard 5.5 total goals, but we’re looking for improved play on the road from Hart. The Flyers are 4-6 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games. The Panthers have a 5-5 O/U record in their last 10 outings.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 227-209

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Columbus Blue Jackets at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Columbus Blue Jackets at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Buffalo Sabres (25-24-8) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-17-10) Thursday at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Blue Jackets-Sabres sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blue Jackets at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Elvis Merzlikins vs. Carter Hutton

Merzlikins took a 2-1 overtime loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning his last time out, despite stopping 28 of 30 shots faced. The 25-year-old is 12-7-5 with a 2.19 goals against average and .930 save percentage on his rookie season.

Hutton has strung together a rare two-game winning streak. He stopped a total of 64 of 68 shots against the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings. He is 9-9-4 with a 3.18 GAA and .896 SV% through 22 starts and one relief appearance.

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

Blue Jackets at Sabres: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Blue Jackets 5, Sabres 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Blue Jackets and Sabres have equal -110 odds in a pick ’em Thursday in Buffalo. The Jackets are 7-1-2 across their last 10 games and 12-7-7 on the road for the season, but they’ve dropped two straight games to the Colorado Avalanche (2-1) and Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1) with injuries to Cam Atkinson and Seth Jones weakening the lineup. The Sabres are coming off a 3-2 win over the Red Wings Tuesday, but they’re just 4-5-1 over their last 10 games and a modest 16-10-4 at home.

Take the BLUE JACKETS (-110) with no direction offered from the oddsmakers. The Jackets are still the stronger team, even with the injuries, and Merzlikins is the far better of the two goaltenders.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

We’re going to go to the alternate puck line and back the BLUE JACKETS (-1.5, +260) to win by at least 2 goals on the road. Columbus is 33-24 against the spread overall and 19-7 on the road. Buffalo is 31-26 ATS overall but just 14-16 on home ice.

The season series is split 1-1 coming into Thursday with both sides winning in overtime. The Jackets have been the much better team since the start of January and are the play.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 5.5 (+105) as the more profitable side of the total bet and expect the Blue Jackets to take care of the bulk of the scoring. Columbus is just 2-8 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games and Buffalo is 3-6-1 against the number in the same span. Fade Hutton’s two-game hot streak.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 227-209

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]

Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

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

The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks (31-21-5) host the Chicago Blackhawks (25-23-8) Wednesday at Rogers Arena for a 10:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Blackhawks-Canucks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Blackhawks at Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Corey Crawford vs. Jacob Markstrom

Crawford is 10-14-3 with a .912 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average through 27 starts and one relief appearance. He’s coming off a Sunday road game against the Winnipeg Jets in which he gave up three goals on 34 shots in a loss.

Markstrom is 21-16-3 through 40 starts with a .915 SV% and 2.81 GAA. He stopped 36 of 38 shots against the Nashville Predators Monday to snap a personal three-game losing streak.

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

Blackhawks at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Canucks 4, Blackhawks 1

Moneyline (ML)

The CANUCKS (-161) are an easy choice at home against a Blackhawks (+135) team in last place in the Central Division. Chicago has dropped four straight games, including a 5-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday. It is 5-3-2 across its last 10 games and 13-11-4 on the road for the year.

Vancouver is coming off a 6-2 win over the Preds Monday. It has gone 6-3-1 across its last 10 games and owns a strong 18-6-3 home record for the season. The season series between the two Western Conference opponents is tied at a game apiece coming into Wednesday. The Canucks won the most recent meeting 7-5 Jan. 2 at Rogers Arena.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Take the CANUCKS (-1.5, +165) to win by at least 2 goals. They’re 32-35 against the spread overall and 14-13 on home ice. The Blackhawks are 32-24 ATS overall and 18-10 on the road, but each of their last two losses were by margins of at least 2 goals. Seven of the Canucks’ last eight wins came by at least 2 goals.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the value in the UNDER 5.5 (+125) and count on the Canucks to contribute the bulk of the scoring with Markstrom shutting the door on the Hawks. The two teams have hit the Over just five teams each in their respective last 10 games.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 222-208

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2059]