Tag: NHL Betting Picks

Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins odds, picks and best bets

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

The Montreal Canadiens (27-24-7) pay a Wednesday visit to the hated Boston Bruins (34-11-12) Wednesday at TD Garden for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Canadiens-Bruins sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Canadiens at Bruins: Projected starting goalies

Carey Price vs. Tuukka Rask

Price leads all goaltenders with 47 games and 2,781 minutes played. The 32-year-old has bounced back of late and now owns a .913 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average. He has been at his best on the road with a .921 SV% and 2.63 GAA.

Rask, also 32, is 20-5-6 on the season with a league-best 2.14 GAA and a .929 SV% through 32 games (all starts). His best starts have been at home, where he has a .930 SV% and 2.07 GAA with three shutouts.

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

Canadiens at Bruins: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 8:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bruins 3, Canadiens 2

Moneyline (ML)

The two Atlantic Division rivals are both 7-3 across their last 10 games but they’re both coming off a loss last time out. The BRUINS (-222) fell 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings Sunday, and the Habs (+180) lost 3-2 to the Arizona Coyotes Monday. Boston leads the season series 2-1 while having outscored Montreal 15-7 across the three games.

Boston has the head-to-head advantage, the rest advantage and a strong home advantage with a record of 19-2-9 at the Garden, while Montreal is 14-9-3 on the road. The line is much more lopsided and chalky than expected for this rivalry matchup, but the Bruins are the play on the moneyline.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bruins to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $4.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The better play against the spread is to back the CANADIENS (+1.5, -154) to keep it a 1-goal game in a loss or win outright. The Habs won the season’s first meeting in Montreal by a 5-4 count before being routed 8-1 just three weeks later in the same venue. The Bruins most recently earned a 3-1 win at the Garden Dec. 1.

The Canadiens are just 28-30 against the spread overall but 17-9 on the road. The Bruins are 26-31 ATS overall and 13-17 at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

Another odd line for this game is the UNDER 5.5 (+105) being the far more profitable side of the total bet. Both starting goalies are well-accomplished and playing in the strong side of their respective location splits for the season. We’re looking for a 3-2 Bruins win to cash all three of our bets Wednesday.

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.

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

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

The Tampa Bay Lightning (36-15-5) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (34-15-5) in a potential Eastern Conference Final preview. Puck drop at PPG Paints Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Lightning-Penguins sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Lightning at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Tristan Jarry

Vasilevskiy had the night off Monday, as backup Curtis McElhinney stopped 31 of 32 shots in a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner is 29-9-3 with a .918 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average for the season.

Jarry is 3-2-0 across his last five starts. He last stopped 33 of 35 shots in a win over the Florida Panthers Saturday. He is 18-8-1 with a .929 SV% and 2.18 GAA for the season.

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

Lightning at Penguins: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 11:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 3, Lightning 2

Moneyline (ML)

Lightning C Steven Stamkos missed Monday’s game due to a lower-body injury and will be questionable for the second half of the back-to-back. The PENGUINS (-115) will be the play as the hosts of a undermanned Lightning side (-106). They’ve been off since beating the Panthers 3-2 Saturday.

Tampa Bay earned a 4-2 home win last Thursday to take a 2-0 lead in the head-to-head season series following a 3-2 win in Tampa Oct. 23. The absence of Stamkos looms large and Pittsburgh has the edge with a 19-5-3 home record. The Lightning’s seven-game win streak entering the day suppresses the money line odds for the road dogs, as they should be offering plus-money on the second half of a back-to-back.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

We’ll AVOID the puck line with no value on either side. The Penguins (-1.5, +225) are just 25-29 against the spread overall and 11-16 at home, while the Lightning (+1.5, -278) are 24-32 ATS overall and 12-17 on the road. This should be expected to be a one-goal game, as was the case in three of the Penguins’ last four games.

We may even get some overtime, and that’s a prop bet worth a small wager at +280 for Yes.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (+125) as the more profitable side of the line. The first two meetings of the year played to either side of Tuesday’s number. While Vasilevskiy was in net for both games, Jarry started the lower-scoring game for the Penguins and Matt Murray was in net for the 4-2 loss last week.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 219-206

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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Philadelphia Flyers at New York Islanders odds, picks and best bets

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

The New York Islanders (32-16-6) host the Philadelphia Flyers (31-18-7) Tuesday at Barclays Center for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Flyers-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Flyers at Islanders: Projected starting goalies

Brian Elliott vs. Semyon Varlamov

Elliott will return to the net Tuesday after giving way for the return of starter Carter Hart in Monday’s 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers. Elliott is 14-6-4 with a .901 save percentage and 2.86 goals against average for the season.

Varlamov is 16-9-4 with a .915 SV% and 2.58 GAA in his first season with the Islanders. He stopped 27 of 29 shots in a hard-luck loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday.

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

Flyers at Islanders: 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

Flyers 4, Islanders 3

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams played Monday, with the Isles besting the Washington Capitals 5-3 on the road and the Flyers topping the Panthers at home. New York’s home-ice advantage is slightly negated as they had to travel back from the nation’s capital.

As such, I’m backing the FLYERS (+105) as slight road dogs. Elliott has been in the better form of the two goaltenders of late. The Isles lead the series 2-0, earning a 5-3 home win Oct. 27, and a 4-3 shootout victory in Philly Nov. 16, but the Flyers enter Tuesday at 7-2-1 across their last 10 games, while the Islanders went 5-3-2 over the same span.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

There’s no value in backing the Flyers (+1.5, -278) with a goal of insurance in the event of a loss. We’ll PASS on the spread and stick with the moneyline bet for the road dogs.

The Isles are just 25-29 ATS overall and a dismal 11-17 on home ice, while the Flyers are 33-23 overall and an adequate 14-14 on the road.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the OVER 5.5 (-133) with both teams starting the lesser of their two goaltenders. Philly is 4-6 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games, while New York is 6-3-1 over the same span.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 219-206

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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Tampa Bay Lightning at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and best bets

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

The Columbus Blue Jackets (30-17-9) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (35-15-5) Monday for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop at Nationwide Arena. We analyze the Lightning-Blue Jackets sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Lightning at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Elvis Merzlikins

Vasilevskiy last played Saturday, when he stopped 17 of 18 shots in a win over the New York Islanders. It was his fifth straight victory, and he hasn’t suffered a regulation loss since Dec. 14. He is 29-9-3 on the season with a .918 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average.

Merzlikins is hot in contention for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year, and he may be putting himself in the running for the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender. The first-year ‘tender is 12-7-4 with a league-high .930 SV% and 2.19 goals against average. He also leads the league with five shutouts through 23 starts and two relief appearances.

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

Lightning at Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 8:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Blue Jackets 2, Lightning 1

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams, and projected starting goalies, last played Saturday. The Blue Jackets (+145) suffered a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at Nationwide Arena, and the Lightning (-175) beat the Islanders 3-1 on their home ice. This is oddly the first meeting of the season between the two Eastern Conference opponents since the Jackets swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Lightning in the first round of last year’s postseason.

While the Lightning have the better record on the season, both sides enter at 8-1-1 across their last 10 games. Tampa Bay is out for revenge after last year’s playoff collapse, but the value lies on the BLUE JACKETS (+145) and they should be backed at plus-money on home ice. Columbus is 18-10-2 at home and Tampa Bay is 17-8-3 on the road.

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

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The BLUE JACKETS (+1.5, -182) can also be taken on the spread, where 1 goal of insurance in the event of a loss is still offering an adequate return of $5.50 on a $10 bet.

The Jackets are 34-24 against the spread overall but just 13-17 at home, where they’re usually laying the -1.5 goals as favorites. The Lightning are 24-31 ATS overall and 12-16 as visitors. Columbus hasn’t lost by two or more goals since Jan. 9, a span of 12 games.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (+125) is the best play in this game and it’s inexplicably offering plus-money. The two goaltenders are as good as anyone in the league since the start of 2020. The Jackets are 2-8 against the O/U across their last 10 games. The Lightning are 3-4-3 in the same span.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 211-203

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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Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (31-16-6) visit the Minnesota Wild (26-22-6) Sunday at Xcel Energy Center for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Avalanche-Wild sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Avalanche at Wild: Projected starting goalies

Pavel Francouz vs. Devan Dubnyk

Francouz hasn’t made an appearance since he stopped 22 of 25 shots in a win over the lowly Detroit Red Wings Jan. 20. The rookie is 12-4-2 through 17 starts and three relief appearances with a 2.45 goals against average and .924 save percentage.

Dubnyk stopped 31 of 33 shots in a win over the Dallas Stars Friday. He is 10-13-2 on the season with a .892 SV% and 3.34 GAA. He has near identical save percentages at home and on the road, but his GAA drops by more than half a goal, as he gets better defensive support on home ice.

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

Avalanche at Wild: 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

Avalanche 4, Wild 3

Moneyline (ML)

Both sides ride three-game winning streaks into the head-to-head Central Division rivalry matchup. I’m backing the AVALANCHE (-128) even though they played Saturday and the Wild (+105) had the night off after beating the Stars Friday.

Minnesota is 16-7-4 on home ice, while Colorado is 17-9-2 on the road. The Avs have a goal differential of plus-42 to the minus-11 rating of the Wild. Take the higher-seeded team without enough odds-based incentive to back the Wild.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Avalanche to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $7.80.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Side with the chalk and back the WILD (+1.5, -250) to lose by just a goal or win outright. Minnesota leads the head-to-head season series 2-1, having won both of the last two meetings by scores of 6-4 and 3-2. While I like the Avs to pull even in the series Sunday and win outright, the Wild will keep it close.

The Wild are 28-26 against the spread overall and 13-14 at home. The Avalanche are 31-22 ATS overall and 18-10 on the road.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the OVER 5.5 (-149) with a rusty Francouz and a shaky Dubnyk between the pipes for the Avs and Wild, respectively. The Avalanche are 6-4 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, while the Wild are 4-4-2 against the number. Minnesota has scored at least three goals in three straight games and Colorado had scored at least three in six straight games before being held to two Saturday by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 211-203

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 Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Detroit Red Wings (13-39-4) host the Boston Bruins (34-10-12) Sunday at Little Caesars Arena for a 12:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Bruins-Red Wings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting picks and tips around this Original Six matchup.

Bruins at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Jaroslav Halak vs. Jonathan Bernier

Halak has strung together a personal three-game win streak to improve to 14-6-6 on the season. He has a 2.36 goals against average and .921 save percentage through 25 starts and one relief appearance.

Bernier has taken over control of the Red Wings’ crease since returning from injury. He has allowed just six goals on 93 shots since his Feb. 1 return, and he even earned a rare win for his team against the Buffalo Sabres Thursday.

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

Bruins at Red Wings: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Bruins 4, Red Wings 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Bruins (-303) won their sixth straight game Saturday, beating the Arizona Coyotes 4-2. The first-place team in the Atlantic Division is 15-8-3 on the road for the season and 7-2-1 across the last 10 games. The Red Wings (+240) took a 2-0 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday and are just 1-8-1 across their last 10 games. They’re just 8-18-2 at home.

While the Bruins are the easy choice, there’s no value in the moneyline odds with a $10 bet on Boston to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returning a profit of just $3.30. PASS on the ML and turn to the spread.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

BRUINS (-1.5, -115) are the play, even though they’re still getting juiced while needing to win by at least 2 goals. Boston is 26-30 against the spread overall but 13-13 on the road. Detroit is 22-34 ATS overall and 11-17 at home.

The Wings upset the Bruins 4-2 at home Nov. 8 in the only meeting of the season thus far between the Atlantic Division rivals. It shouldn’t be expected to happen again, as Detroit has gone 8-27-3 straight up since.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 5.5 (+100) as the more profitable side of the total bet. Boston is 4-6 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games, while Detroit is 3-6-1 against the number. The Red Wings were shut out in three of their last four games and the Bruins have scored more than four goals on their own just once since Jan. 13.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 209-202

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 Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and best bets

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

The Tampa Bay Lightning (34-15-5) host the New York Islanders (31-15-6) Saturday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Islanders-Lightning sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Islanders at Lightning: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Varlamov earned his first win since Jan. 6, with a 28-save effort against the Dallas Stars Tuesday. He comes into Saturday with a 16-8-4 record, .915 save percentage and 2.60 goals against average.

Vasilevskiy has won four straight games and has improved to 28-9-3 on the season. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has a .918 SV% and 2.52 GAA.

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

Islanders at Lightning: 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

Lightning 4, Islanders 1

Moneyline (ML)

The LIGHTNING (-222) have won five straight games and are worth the moderate amount of chalk at home, where they’re 17-7-2 on the season. The Islanders (+180) have won two straight and three of their last four games. Both teams last played Thursday, with the Lightning beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 and the Isles beating the Los Angeles Kings 5-3.

Vasilevskiy gives the Lightning the advantage in the goaltending matchup and makes the home team the choice for Saturday.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Lightning to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $4.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Roll with the LIGHTNING (-1.5, +125) to win by at least 2 goals. The Isles won the first two head-to-head meetings of the season by scores of 5-2 (Nov. 1) and 5-1 (Dec. 9), but it was backup Curtis McElhinney in net for Tampa Bay in the second encounter. Vasilevskiy comes into Saturday in Vezina form and will avenge his early December loss.

Each of Tampa Bay’s last three wins and four of their last five were decided by margins of at least 2 goals.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (+115) as the more profitable side of the Over/Under bet. Both of the two previous meetings this year topped Saturday’s projected total, but the Lightning have been favoring the Under of late, going 3-4-3 against the number.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 209-202

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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Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Dallas Stars (30-18-5) host the Minnesota Wild (25-22-6) Friday at American Airlines Center for an 8:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Wild-Stars sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Wild at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Devan Dubnyk vs. Ben Bishop

The Wild are 9-13-2 through 23 starts and two relief appearances from Devan Dubnyk, who is projected to start. He has a .890 save percentage and 3.40 goals against average. He allowed six goals on 34 shots in a loss to the Boston Bruins his last time out.

Bishop is 18-11-4 through 35 starts and one relief appearance. He has a .925 SV% and a 2.36 GAA. He surrendered four goals on 41 shots in an overtime loss to the New York Islanders Tuesday.

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

Wild at Stars: 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

Stars 5, Wild 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Wild (+155) are coming off a 4-2 home win over the Vancouver Canucks Thursday with backup Alex Stalock in net. It was the final game of a seven-game homestand. They finished 5-2, including a 7-0 win over the Stars Jan. 18. While they’re now 16-7-4 at home for the season, they’re just 9-15-2 on the road.

The STARS (-189) will be our pick with a 16-8-2 home record. They’ve been off since the overtime loss to the Islanders and are 5-4-1 across their last 10 games. Dallas beat Minnesota 6-3 Oct. 29 in the only head-to-head meeting of the season thus far at the AAC.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Back the STARS (-1.5, +150) to win by at least two goals as they host a Wild team playing on the road for the first time since Jan. 14. Dallas is 28-25 against the spread overall and 12-14 ATS at home for the season. Minnesota is 27-26 ATS overall and 14-12 on the road.

The Stars have been playing plenty of free hockey of late, going to overtime in three of their last five games, but they’ll handle their Central Division rivals Friday while working with the home, rest and goaltending advantages.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 5.5 (+110). Two of the three meetings this season eclipsed this projection, and while Anton Khudobin was in net for the Stars in both games, both teams are plenty familiar with each other as they complete their season series. Take the plus-money.

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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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.

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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

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