Tag: NHL betting tips

Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Colorado Avalanche vs. Vancouver Canucks sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Colorado Avalanche (40-18-8) visit the Vancouver Canucks (34-26-6) in a Friday night (10 p.m. ET) tilt at Rogers Arena. We analyze the Avalanche-Canucks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Avalanche at Canucks: Projected starting goalies

Pavel Francouz vs. Thatcher Demko

Francouz has registered a 2.29 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 30 games. He’s the de facto No. 1 netminder or the Avs right now: Philipp Grubauer has been on the shelf with a groin injury since mid-February. And Francouz is wearing it well. The 29-year-old Czech has logged a 6-0-1 record with a nifty .945 SV since Grubauer has been out.

Demko owns a 3.08 GAA and .904 SV over 24 games played. He’s coming off a shaky February (.882 SV in six outings) but is the likely starter with GT Jacob Markstrom out with a knee injury. Demko was lit up by Colorado on Nov. 16, allowing five goals on just 23 shots (.783 SV).

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Avalanche at Canucks: 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 Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 4, Vancouver 1

Moneyline (ML)

Vancouver has lost four straight and has coughed up 4.5 goals per game in the process. Colorado lost an overtime contest to Anaheim on Wednesday (March 4 was the last game date for both of these teams). That loss snapped a seven-game win streak for the Avs. Colorado is 5-2 over the first game of their last seven multi-game road trips.

The lean is on the Avalanche, but the COLORADO (-139) price is a bit high.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Avs’ recent win streak involved six one-goal games and one win by three. That flies against earlier-season trends, though. For the season Colorado is fourth in goals (3.41 per game) and fifth in goal prevention (2.67). All four games in the Canucks losing streak have been losses by two-plus. Francouz has sometimes faltered on longer rest – his last start fits that trend. But on one-day rest, the Avalanche netminder has logged a .957 SV in six such starts.

COLORADO -1.5 (+195) has excellent value and is the top play of the three listed here.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is: 7-1 over the Avs’ last eight games … 8-0 in the Avs’ last eight road games.

The Under as a play in this one runs slightly counter to taking Colorado on the puck line. We’re on the side of Colorado by two but also on the side of the total under five. But the payoff makes doubling up a solid play. WILL TAKE THE UNDER 5.5 (+110).

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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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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Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and best bets

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

The Carolina Hurricanes (35-24-5) and Philadelphia Flyers (39-20-7) tangle at Wells Fargo Center at 7 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Hurricanes-Flyers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Hurricanes at Flyers: Projected starting goalies

Alex Nedeljkovic vs. Carter Hart

Nedeljkovic and Anton Forsberg are holding down the fort while James Reimer and Petr Mrazek are injured. The Calder Cup-winning goalie Nedeljkovic is 0-1-1 with a 3.11 goals against average and .857 save percentage in his one start and two appearances so far.

Hart missed about a month due to a lower-body injury, but he is still an impressive 22-12-3 with a 2.51 GAA and .909 SV% in his 37 starts and three relief appearances. He allowed one goal on 34 shots in his only appearance against the Hurricanes in a Nov. 5 win.

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

Hurricanes at Flyers: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Flyers 4, Hurricanes 2

Moneyline (ML)

The FLYERS (-150) are moderate favorites over the Hurricanes (+125). The Fly Guys have been on fire lately, winning 16 of their past 21 games, while winning five straight inside the Metropolitan Division with victories in four in a row against winning teams. They’re also 20-7 in their past 27 as a favorite while going 19-7 in their past 26 at home.

The ‘Canes are skidding, winning just once in their past five contests while going 4-12 in their past 16 inside the Metropolitan Division.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The FLYERS (-1.5, +180) are worth a small-unit bet against the skidding Hurricanes, mainly because both Forsberg and Nedeljkovic have struggled between the pipes for Carolina. Philly is red-hot and the good times should continue to roll.

Over/Under (O/U)

AVOID. The lean would be to the Under 6.5 (-154), but I choose not to play that kind of juice on totals, and if you go for Under 5.5 (+135), that’s a bit low. All of the trends in this series point to the Over.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI 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 Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and best bets

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

The Boston Bruins (41-13-12) begin a two-game swing through the Sunshine State with a Tuesday contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning (41-19-5) at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Bruins-Lightning odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Bruins at Lightning: Projected starting goalies

Tuukka Rask vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy

Rask shut out the New York Islanders with 25 saves Saturday. The effort was a bounce-back after having allowed a combined 10 goals over his previous two starts. In 10 post-break starts, Rask has posted a 1.85 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. He’s registered a .910 SV% over two previous starts against Tampa Bay has logged a 2.16 GAA and .928 SV% in 38 games.

Vasilevskiy has logged a 2.62 GAA and .914 SV% through 48 games this season. He has stopped 61 of 66 shots in two appearances against the Bruins. Vasilevskiy is coming off a monster January (1.58 GAA, .948 SV%) followed by a backslide in February (2.91 GAA, .902 SV%). Those February numbers were very much influenced by the 25-year-old’s last four starts. Vasilevskiy carded an anemic .839 over that quartet of starts.

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Bruins at Lightning: 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 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Boston 3, Tampa Bay 2

Moneyline (ML)

Boston is perhaps too far out over its skis with a mark of 41-13-12, but the Lightning haven’t played well of late, are without C Steven Stamkos (abdominal) and are throwing out the lesser side of this goaltending matchup.

The price is right on the Bruins, who are 7-2 over their last nine road games and 5-1 over their last six contests played on two days of rest. TAKE BOSTON (+100).

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS on the puck line without enough value on the Bruins’ (+1.5, -278) side of the line.

Over/Under (O/U)

Trends on the Over/Under are mixed. The Under is a lean in principle, but we’re going to PASS on the line of 5.5 (Under: +110).

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @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 Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Colorado Avalanche at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche (39-18-7) visit the Detroit Red Wings (15-47-5) for a 7:30 p.m. ET contest at Little Caesar’s Arena Monday. We analyze the Avalanche-Red Wings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Avalanche at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Pavel Francouz vs. Jonathan Bernier

Francouz has started eight straight games for the Avalanche. The last six have been quality starts, and over that stretch, the 29-year-old rookie is 6-0 with a .957 save percentage. Four of those six turns have been on the road where Francouz has been terrific (1.64 goals against average and .951 SV%). For the season, he has notched a 2.24 GAA and .929 SV%. Francouz backs a defense which has killed 18 straight penalties.

Bernier owns a 2.94 GAA and .907 SV% through 42 games (37 starts). He has logged a .893 SV% over his last 10 games, although that coincides with a period in which the Wings put heavy pressure on their goaltenders with a spike in penalties to kill. It has been a factor in Detroit allowing 33.1 shots per game over its last eight games.

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Avalanche 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 9:35 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 4, Detroit 1

Moneyline (ML)

I pegged the Avs as my main Stanley Cup darkhorse play since they went 17-14-5 from late-October to mid-January. I’ve had them going as one of my main second-half plays, and they haven’t disappointed. Even the Colorado (-304) line here has a bit of a bargain attached, but PASS in favor of the better play on the puck line.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Colorado’s multi-goal wins are outpacing their one-goal victories, 27-12. Detroit has lost by two or more in 40-of-52 losses.

The Avs defeated the Wings 6-3 Jan. 20 and are a combined 5-1 against the worst four teams in the league. Four of those five wins have been by three or more goals. COLORADO (-1.5, -110) is a strong play.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is 9-1 in Colorado’s last 10 games. In the six highlighted games against bottom-feeders, the Under has gone 5-1.

The Under has a nice price here. PLAY THE UNDER 5.5 (+115).

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @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 Minnesota Wild odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Capitals at Wild NHL betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Washington Capitals (39-19-6) visit the Minnesota Wild (32-25-7) for a Sunday night (8 p.m. ET) battle on the ice at the Xcel Energy Center. We analyze the Capitals-Wild odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Capitals at Wild: Projected starting goalies

Braden Holtby vs. Devan Dubnyk

Holtby owns a 3.12 goals-against average and .897 save percentage through 44 games. The Capitals’ 30-year-old netminder is coming off a decent February (.900 SV%) after scuffling in December and January (.876 SV%). He’s logged a fine .928 SV% over his last four road starts. Holtby hasn’t played since Feb. 25; he has struggled in recent road starts on extra rest. Over his last four starts with three-plus days off and playing away from home, he’s registered a mere .865 SV%.

Dubnyk is the expected starter for Sunday, with running mate Alex Stalock coming off three straight starts. The 33-year-old has appeared in 29 games this season, posting a 3.34 GAA and .892 SV%. Dubnyk has notched a .905 SV% over his last four starts; three of his four foes in those games — Colorado, Vancouver, and St. Louis — rank in the top third of the NHL in scoring. And that’s the neighborhood Washington operates in: the Caps’ 3.41 goals per game average ranks fourth in the league.

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Capitals at Wild: 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 Sunday at noon ET.

Prediction

Washington 4, Minnesota 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Caps are the better hockey club, but the Wild appear to be playing better of late. Minnesota is 5-1, allowing just 27.3 shots on goal per game, over its last six. Washington has slogged its way to a 6-8-1 record since the all-star break. The Capitals are 2-4-1 over their last seven games.

Puck-possession analytics reveal expected regression on both sides of those recent trends. But WASHINGTON -134 isn’t enough of a discount on a straight-up bet. PASS.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Capitals to win straight up would return a profit of $7.46.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Minnesota loses by two-plus goals a bit more often than does the average team. The WASHINGTON -1.5 (+180) proposition offers the best value of these three plays.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Wild are coming off scoring a combined 12 goals over their last two games. Although a borderline play with limited value, the OVER 5.5 (-134) is the lean here.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @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 Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Buffalo Sabres at Colorado Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Buffalo Sabres (29-25-8) visit the Colorado Avalanche (36-18-7) Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET at the Pepsi Center. We analyze the Sabres-Avalanche odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Sabres at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Carter Hutton vs. Pavel Francouz

Hutton is 12-10-4 and owns a 3.19 goals against average and an .897 save percentage through 27 games. The 34-year-old has gone 5-1 with a .916 mark over his last six games. He stopped 41 of 43 pucks in his last start, a 5-2 win at the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday.

Francouz, 16-5-3, has logged a 2.27 GAA and .927 SV% in 26 games. He has started five straight games for the Avs who haven’t played since Saturday. The 29-year-old Czechoslovakia native has registered a 1.67 GAA and .938 SV% in six February games (five starts). Francouz has stopped 73 of 75 shots (.973 SV) over his last three starts.

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

Sabres at Avalanche: 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 8 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 4, Buffalo 1

Moneyline (ML)

Colorado is -228; Buffalo is +185. The Avs are 5-2-2 (+$436) when playing on three or more days rest. Despite leading the NHL in games won by three goals, Colorado has a .450 winning percentage in one-goal games.

The better risk/reward play here is on the puck line. AVOID.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Colorado has outshot foes in six of its last seven games and remains a solid risk-reward play on most nights despite being just mere percentage points short of the best record in the Western Conference. Buffalo is 6-2 over its last eight, but shooting and save percentages, and puck-possession indicators point to the Sabres having a bit of extra “puck luck” over this stretch.

The Avs have won a league-best 18 games by three goals or more. They’ve won another nine by two goals, and their combined 27 multi-goal wins is also an NHL high. The price here has a bit of value: Take COLORADO (-1.5 +120).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under has prevailed in three straight Colorado games and in nine of the Avs’ last 10. However, Hutton’s last four starts for Buffalo have gone Over. But the public and the house are all over this one. SKIP the O/U 5.5 (Over -134, Under +110).

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @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 St. Louis Blues odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Chicago Blackhawks (27-27-8) visit the St. Louis Blues (36-17-10) in a Central Division clash Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Blackhawks-Blues odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Blackhawks at Blues: Projected starting goalies

Corey Crawford vs. Jordan Binnington

Crawford figures to be the steady No. 1 option the rest of the way for the Blackhawks, who traded G Robin Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights Monday. Crawford owns a 2.80 goals against average (GAA) and a .915 save percentage. He permitted eight goals on 68 shots in a pair of losses against St. Louis in December, but the 35-year-old veteran has logged a robust .939 SV% in nine games since Jan. 9. Crawford stopped 31 of 33 shots at Dallas Sunday. He’s also registered a .913 SV% when starting on two-day rest.

Binnington has played in 45 games for St. Louis, logging a 2.56 GAA and .913 SV%. He’s been sharp at home (2.12 GAA, .922 SV%) and of late (2.33 GAA, .918 SV% in February). Binnington is coming off a sharp Sunday start (32 saves, one goal allowed at the Minnesota Wild), which followed back-to-back home shutouts – 14 saves in a 1-0 win vs. the Arizona Coyotes Thursday, and 17 saves in a 3-0 victory vs. the New Jersey Devils Feb. 18.

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Blackhawks at Blues: 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 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Blackhawks 3, Blues 2

Moneyline (ML)

Pythagorean comparisons (using goals and goals allowed to predict wins and losses) are bullish on Chicago and bearish on St. Louis. Recent puck-possession numbers indicate the ‘Hawks may be overlooked and worth a shot at a price +175 or better. The CHICAGO +185 line makes for moderate value.

New to sports betting? Every $1 wagered on the Blackhawks ML will profit $1.85 if they win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS. Three of the Blues’ last four wins have been by multiple goals. But the Blackhawks line (+1.5, -150) isn’t tamped down enough to warrant a play.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is 3-2 over Chicago’s last five games and 4-1 in the Blues’ last five. The goal total in seven of Chicago’s last 10 games has been 5 or less. A struggling St. Louis power play makes for two subpar PP-units in this one. The netminders present a likable matchup for Under bettors, and the price here – UNDER 5.5 (+115) – is a lure. Will back the UNDER.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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New Jersey Devils at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s New Jersey Devils at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New Jersey Devils (24-27-10) visit the Detroit Red Wings (15-45-4) in a 7:30 p.m. ET contest at Little Caesars Arena Tuesday. We analyze the Devils-Red Wings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Devils at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Mac Blackwood vs. Jonathan Bernier

Blackwood sports a 2.73 goals against average and .916 save percentage through 43 games. He has won his last six decisions. Blackwood faced Detroit Feb. 13 and stopped 25 of 26 shots in a win. That contest against the Red Wings is part of a fabulous February that has seen the 23-year-old go 6-0 with a .970 SV%. Blackwood is making this start on two days of rest; over his last six starts on such rest, he has posted a nifty .932 SV%.

Bernier has a 2.90 GAA, .908 SV%. He allowed four goals on 26 shots against the Devils when the teams met two weeks ago.

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

Devils 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 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

New Jersey 3, Detroit 1

Moneyline (ML)

Liking the Blackwood side and going with the Devils’ more consistent ability to avoid the one-and-under goal output, back NEW JERSEY (-134).

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

New Jersey’s last multi-goal win was against these Red Wings — in Newark, Feb. 13.

New Jersey (-1.5, +200) is the lean here, but there is also a lean on the Under which is, to a certain degree, not fully compatible with a puck line play. SKIP THIS ONE and stick with the moneyline bet.

Over/Under (O/U)

This is a zag from where the money has gone in early betting, but there is a decent amount of gravity around a Devils’ win and a 4-to-5-goal total.

PLAY THE UNDER 5.5 (-106).

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @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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Ottawa Senators at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and best bets

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

The Ottawa Senators (21-30-11) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-19-14) for a 7 p.m. ET game at Nationwide Arena Monday. We analyze the Senators-Blue Jackets odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Senators at Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies

Craig Anderson vs. Elvis Merzlikins

Anderson is the lean over Marcus Hogberg for this start in Columbus. Both Senators goalkeepers have similar numbers on the season; Anderson owns a 3.21 goals against average and a .901 save percentage. The veteran allowed three goals on 37 shots against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday. He stopped 18 of 19 shots in a loss at Columbus Nov. 25.

Merzlikins owns a fine 2.37 GAA and .922 SV% in his rookie season. He’s been fabulous over 14 games at home (1.51 GAA, .950 SV%), but the 25-year-old native of Latvia has had some recent struggles. Over his last four appearances, Merzlikins has logged a .869 SV%.

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

Senators at Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Columbus 3, Ottawa 1

Moneyline (ML)

Merzlikins put together an impressive run against some solid offensive clubs in early February (.953 SV% over five games). Ottawa goes on the road after a six-game, 11-day homestand; they’re 1-7 in road openers after home stands.

Still, analytics on both teams come in as bearish when looking at their win-loss records. The lean is a small one on COLUMBUS (-227).

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Ottawa’s last six losses — all by multiple goals — have included a combined deficit of 18 goals. The Jackets’ most recent wins were mostly by a lone goal. We’re going back a ways to get to that comparison, as Columbus hasn’t won a game since Feb. 7.

The Blue Jackets are a slight lean, though, and the price — COLUMBUS -1.5 (+110) — again gives us some value.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is 26-12 in Columbus’ last 38 games as a favorite. Recent numbers for both teams include more goals yielded than perhaps were warranted by underlying statistics.

TAKE THE UNDER 5.5 (+100) as the best play in what is the lone NHL game of the day.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @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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Carolina Hurricanes at Toronto Maple Leafs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Carolina Hurricanes at Toronto Maple Leafs sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Carolina Hurricanes (34-22-4) and Toronto Maple Leafs (32-22-8) will lock horns at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. ET Saturday. We analyze the Hurricanes-Maple Leafs sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Hurricanes at Maple Leafs: Projected starting goalies

James Reimer vs. Frederik Andersen

Reimer is expected to get the starting nod after Petr Mrazek started (and lost) at home against the New York Rangers in the front end of the back-to-back Friday. Optimus Reim has posted a 14-6-2 record, 2.67 goals against average and .914 save percentage through his 23 starts and one relief appearance. He was tuned up for four goals on just seven shots Dec. 23 in Toronto in the first meeting against his former team, an 8-6 loss.

Andersen is a solid 25-12-6 with a 2.91 GAA and .908 SV% across his 46 starts. While he allowed six goals in the Dec. 23 meeting with the ‘Canes, he stopped 34 shots en route to an 8-6 victory. He is coming off a shutout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday, a win which slapped the brakes on a personal three-game skid.

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

Hurricanes at Maple Leafs: Odds, picks and betting tips

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

Prediction

Hurricanes 4, Maple Leafs 3

Moneyline (ML)

The HURRICANES (+135) have been able to bounce back after losses, and they’re in good shape with a 4-1 record in their past five in the second game of a back-to-back. The road team has also won seven of the past 10 meetings in this series. The Maple Leafs (-162), on the other hand, have posted a 2-5 mark in their past seven games against Eastern Conference opponents, while going 0-4 in their past four following a win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Hurricanes (+1.5, -200) are not worth the insurance, as you will need to risk two times your return. The Maple Leafs (-1.5, +165) are a much more attractive play if you like the home side. I don’t, however. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 6.5 (+125) is worth a small-unit bet, hitting in five of the past seven meetings in this series. The Over is also 8-2 in Carolina’s past 10 overall, and 6-2 in its past eight against winning teams. Toronto has played to the Under in five of its past seven, but the Over is 14-3 in the past 17 against Metropolitan Division teams, while going 9-4 in the past 13 playing on a day of rest.

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI 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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