Tag: NHL lines

Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Minnesota Wild at Chicago Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Minnesota Wild (16-12-5) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (12-15-6) at the United Center Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Wild-Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Wild at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Kaapo Kahkonen vs. Robin Lehner

Kahkonen has been solid in four starts for the Wild. The 23-year-old Finn did allow five goals in his last game –  a 6-5 home win vs. the Edmonton Oilers Thursday –  but he sports a 2.70 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in 245 minutes overall.

Lehner is 6-6-4 with a 2.86 GAA and .926 SV% in 17 games. He owns a .931 SV% at home. He’s lost his last two starts, both to the Arizona Coyotes, allowing eight goals against 87 shots.

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

Wild at Blackhawks: 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 12:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Blackhawks 4, Wild 3

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams played Saturday. Lehner is backing a Chicago lineup down a couple defensemen and one that gives up too many shots. But the Wild have been on the downside of recent shot and Corsi exchanges as well. Minnesota is 0 for its last 18 on the power play and have allowed seven goals in 21 chances on the penalty kill since Dec. 1. The BLACKHAWKS (-110) are the play here.

New to sports betting? An $11 bet on Chicago to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $10 … or in other words, every $1.10 wagered on the Blackhawks to win would return a profit of $1 in they do so.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

AVOID since the puck line for Minnesota (+1.5, -304) is full of juice, while Chicago (-1.5 +240) would need to win by at least two goals. Both teams have played a high frequency of one-goal games of late, and there’s more gray area than usual with a freshman netminder.

Betting on the Wild would involve every $3.04 wagered to profit just $1 if they win outright or don’t lose by 2 goals or more. Betting on the Blackhawks would profit $2.40 for every $1 wagered, but they must win by 2 goals or more.

Over/under (O/U)

There is also too much data and too many trends muddied to advise more than a slight lean on the OVER 5.5 (-121).

Minnesota and Chicago rank 15th and 26th, respectively, in goals and eighth and 11th in goals allowed.

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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Los Angeles Kings at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing Sunday’s Los Angeles Kings at Detroit Red Wings betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Detroit Red Wings (9-22-3) host the Los Angeles Kings (13-18-3) Sunday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI in a battle of cellar dwellers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Red Wings-Kings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Kings at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Jack Campbell vs. Eric Comrie

Campbell has a 2.99 goals against average and .891 save percentage on the season through 11 starts. His last game came Dec. 7 in a loss to the Flames, in which he allowed 4 goals on 30 shots.

Comrie is making his second start of the year. It hasn’t been pretty in two appearances, as he sports a 4.40 GAA and .853 SV% over 68 minutes of play. He was lit up for 5 goals by the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 10, stopping just 25 of 30 shots in the loss.

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

Kings 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

Detroit 3, Los Angeles 2

Moneyline (ML)

The RED WINGS (+105) have won two in a row after a 12-game losing skid; they won on the road 2-1 vs. the Montreal Canadiens Saturday. Detroit is 2-8-0 over its last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Kings (-129) lost 5-4 in a shootout against the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday. They’re 4-5-1 over their last 10 games.

Detroit is playing with a bit of desperation and Campbell is far from elite. Look for the Wings to push their winning streak to three games with the Kings likely tired on a road back-to-back that went to extra time the day before.

New to sports betting, a $10 wager on Detroit to win outright returns a $10.50 profit with a victory.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Kings are 8-9 ATS on the road (17-17 overall), while the Red Wings are just 6-11 ATS at home and 14-20 overall. While I like the Red Wings (+1.5, -278) to cover, the tax is too darn high. PASS. A $10 wager here pays just $3.60 profit; play the ML instead, where there’s a better return.

Over/Under (O/U)

In eight of the last 10 games, Detroit has scored two or less goals. The Kings have scored two or more goals in seven games over the same span. Detroit is last in the league in goals scored, averaging 2.2 per game. The Kings aren’t much better, ranking 28th with 2.5 goals per game.

With a line of 4.5, all it takes is five combined goals against two subpar goaltenders to hit the Over. You’ll likely sweat this until the third, but the OVER 4.5 (-209) is the play for a small-unit bet due to the higher juice.

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

Ryan’s NHL picks record: 4-13

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

Previewing Saturday’s Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Chicago Blackhawks (12-14-6) visit the St. Louis Blues (19-8-6) in an 8 p.m. ET tilt at Enterprise Center Saturday. 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 owns a 3.02 goals against average and .909 save percentage over 16 starts and one relief appearance. He comes in amid a slump, having logged a .874 SV% over his last five starts, and that includes a rough, four-goal game against the Blues Dec. 2.

Binnington has given the Blues a 2.43 GAA and .921 SV% through 24 games. He was shaky in being pulled two starts back but has otherwise been solid since mid-November. Binnington owns a .926 SV% at home.

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

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 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Blues 4, Blackhawks 2

Moneyline (ML)

A wide berth here — 35-cent line — brackets the expectation on either side and with cushion to spare. In other words, the acceptable tags here would be either Chicago +180 or St. Louis -190. The actual line — Chicago +165/St. Louis -200 — covers the tracks of what would be a lean toward an unluckier Chicago side. PASS on what looks like an accurate number.

The Blackhawks are a better hockey club than their record would suggest, but they do play in a meat-grinder of a division (Central) with a tough schedule, and they continue to allow too many shots to avoid losing streaks like the spell they’re on. Chicago has lost three in a row and is a mere 3-7-2 over its last dozen games. Now, in closing out a three-game road stretch where they have thus far been outscored, 10-3, the ‘Hawks are without stay-at-home defenseman Calvin de Haan.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The ST. LOUIS (-1.5, +140) is the best number of these three. Chicago’s last seven non-regulation losses have been by deficits of the multi-goal variety. Six of the Blues’ last seven victories have been by two or more goals.

Over/under (O/U)

Chicago has been outscored, 50-37, on the road. The over is 13-4-4 over the last 21 meetings between these two Central Division foes. But, in general, there are some mixed signals in trying to peg a projectable total, and the price (Over 5.5, -129) makes this one a PASS.

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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Los Angeles Kings at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Los Angeles Kings at Pittsburgh Penguins sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Los Angeles Kings (13-18-2) and Pittsburgh Penguins (18-10-4) tussle in the Steel City at 7 p.m. ET Saturday. We analyze the Kings-Penguins sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Kings at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Jonathan Quick vs. Tristan Jarry

Quick picked up a victory over the Anaheim Ducks Thursday, and he has back-to-back wins with just one goal allowed in each outing. He didn’t allow a goal until the final minute in his game Tuesday against the New York Rangers, a power-play tally with an extra attacker. The Under is 6-0 in Quick’s past six appearances.

Jarry picked up a shutout last time out against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and he has three shutouts across his past four starts. Overall, he is 8-5-0 with a 1.76 goals against average and .941 save percentage. It’s possible Matt Murray makes an appearance in this one, but it’s hard to imagine the Pens will go away from Jarry while he’s running hot.

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

Kings at Penguins: 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 9:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 4, Kings 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Penguins (-228) are too expensive on the moneyline, and the Kings (+185) aren’t a good play on the road against a difficult opponent. PASS, and look to the puck line instead.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered for the Penguins to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout would profit $4.40 if they do so.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PENGUINS (-1.5, +125) is a great play on home ice. In four of their past five victories at home, the Pens have won by 2 or more goals, so roll the dice on a puck-line win and avoid the high risk of the moneyline.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (+115) is a nice play at plus-money. The Under is 7-2-1 in the past 10 on the road for the Kings, and 6-2-1 in their past nine as a dog away from home. The Under has connected in four of the past five for Pittsburgh, too, while going 23-8-1 in the past 32 games at home for the Pens.

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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Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

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

The Dallas Stars (18-11-3) host the Vegas Golden Knights (16-13-5) Friday at American Airlines Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Golden Knights-Stars sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Golden Knights at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Malcolm Subban vs. Ben Bishop

Subban picked up his first win of the season Nov. 27 and rung up four in a row before taking overtime and regulation losses in each of his last two outings. He is coming off a home start against the New York Rangers Sunday in which he allowed five goals on just 25 shots.

Bishop has won three straight games with a total of three goals allowed on 99 shots faced. His .934 save percentage matches his league-best number from last season and he has a 2.03 goals against average.

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

Golden Knights at Stars: 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 9:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Golden Knights 3, Stars 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Stars (-139) have won three straight and are 12-4-1 at home for the year. The recent, and surprise, firing of head coach Jim Montgomery is sure to take a toll against a quality opponent after they were able to beat the lowly New Jersey Devils 2-0 Tuesday in their first game without him behind the bench. The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (+115) are getting plus-money on the road where they’re 8-7-2 straight up.

The Knights took a 4-2 loss on the road against the St. Louis Blues Thursday and play for the third time in four nights, while the Stars have had three days off. Vegas started strong Thursday with a two-goal first period, and a similar start against a shakier opponent would present a safer lead.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Golden Knights to win outright returns a profit of $11.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The safe play is backing the GOLDEN KNIGHTS (+1.5, -250) to stay within 1 goal in a loss, or to win outright. Vegas has the edge in total shot attempts (Corsi) at 5-on-5, but has suffered from a woeful 6.92 team shooting percentage at full strength which ranks 28th in the NHL. The Knights are too talented up front to stay so unlucky.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the UNDER 5.5 (-129). Subban was enjoying his best stretch of the season before his most recent start, and Bishop is locked in for the Stars. Look for the Stars to play a simpler style in the early going under interim coach Rick Bowness.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 118-97

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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Winnipeg Jets at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing Thursday’s Winnipeg Jets at Detroit Red Wings sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis, lines and picks.

For the second time in three days, the Winnipeg Jets (19-10-2) and Detroit Red Wings (7-22-3) face off; this time it’ll be on Detroit’s ice. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Little Caesars Arena. The Jets beat Detroit 5-1 Tuesday. We analyze the Red Wings-Jets odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Jets at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Connor Hellebuyck vs. Jonathan Bernier

Hellebuyck, the confirmed starter, has won four of his past five starts. He didn’t start against Detroit two days ago, but saw action late, allowing a goal on two shots in 1:09 of time on ice. Hellebuyck has a .933 save percentage and 2.24 goals against average through 23 starts and two relief appearances.

Bernier didn’t start the previous game, and sports an ugly 3.41 GAA and .888 SV%, which are his worst numbers since his 2007-08 rookie campaign. It has been a month today since his last win, with seven starts over that span. He gave up at least three goals in each of his last eight appearances. Ouch.

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

Jets 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 Thursday at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Jets 5, Red Wings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Jets held Detroit (+165) to just 17 shots Tuesday, which ended as the Red Wings’ 12th straight loss (0-10-2). They’ve been outscored 54-21 in the last dozen games. WINNIPEG (-200) should easily take care of business in this home-and-home rematch, but they’re a chalky play and you can find better value elsewhere.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Jets to win outright returns a profit of just $5.00. It’s not a bad play, it’s just a lot of tax to pay.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Here’s a puck line I can get behind, with WINNIPEG (-1.5, +135) the play. While they’re 17-14 ATS overall, they’re 12-4 on the road, which is rare to see. Detroit, just 5-11 ATS at home (12-20 overall), is without RW Anthony Mantha (lower body) and D Danny DeKeyser (ankle), while LW Andreas Athanasiou (undisclosed) is questionable.

Backing the Jets to beat Detroit by at least 2 goals returns $13.50 in profit on a $10.00 wager.

Over/Under (O/U)

Detroit ranks last with just 2.09 goals scored per game and 28th with 28.8 shots/game. Defensively, things aren’t better: Ranking last in goals against (4.0) and penalty kill (72.5%). Hitting the projected total of 5.5 requires the Jets to do most of the work; they’re just 6-9-1 vs. the O/U on the road; Detroit is 8-7-1 at home vs. the line. With Bernier giving up at least four goals in each of his last two outings and the Wings short-handed, stick with the OVER 5.5 (-134).

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

Ryan’s NHL picks record: 4-8

Follow @RyanBonini 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

Analyzing Thursday’s Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, picks and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (15-11-3) host the Boston Bruins (20-6-6) Thursday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 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, the confirmed starter, is 13-3-3 through 19 starts, carries a 2.19 goals against average, .927 save percentage and two shutouts into this matchup. He gave up three goals to the Ottawa Senators Monday, stopping 23-of-26 shots in the loss.

Vasilevskiy sports a .910 SV% and 2.82 GAA on the season through 21 starts. He has won three of four December starts, with victories in his last two outings. He stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 2-1 win against the Florida Panthers Tuesday.

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

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 Thursday at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Boston 5, Tampa Bay 4

Moneyline (ML)

Boston (+125) is coming off a 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals last night and is winless (0-3-1) in its last four. The Bruins won’t have rest on their side like the Lightning (-150), who won 2-1 over Florida Tuesday night.

Boston is 8-5-1 on the road and 6-3-1 in their last 10 games overall, while Tampa Bay is just 7-6-1 at home and 5-4-1 over their last 10. I’m bucking the recent Bruins’ trends; BOSTON (+125) is too talented to push the winless skid to five and plus money against a team struggling at home is a value I like to target.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the underdog Bruins to win outright returns a $12.50 profit with a victory in regulation, overtime or a shootout.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

I’m rarely a fan of puck lines; Tampa Bay (-1.5, +165) keeps that tradition alive. Boston (+1.5, -200) has lost by at least three goals in two of its last four games, while six of Tampa Bay’s last 10 have been decided by just one goal. PASS.

Over/Under (O/U)

The tax rate on the OVER 5.5 (-150) is higher than I like, but it’s worth considering for a mid-range wager. Boston is 8-6-0 vs. the Over on the road, while Tampa Bay is 10-3-1 at home. Both of these teams have the talent to light the lamp regularly, with the Bruins averaging 3.5 goals per game and the Lightning averaging 3.6 GPG.

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

Ryan’s NHL picks record: 4-8

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

Previewing Thursday’s Vegas Golden Knights at St. Louis Blues sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Vegas Golden Knights (16-12-5) and St. Louis Blues (18-8-6) battle at Enterprise Center at 8 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Golden Knights-Blues sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Golden Knights at Blues: Projected starting goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Jordan Binnington

Fleury was outstanding Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks in his first action since Nov. 23 due to a personal absence. He nearly posted a shutout, allowing a power-play goal with an extra attacker in the final minute. He picked up the win, however, improving to 3-1-1 over the past five starts with the “Under” hitting in each outing.

Binnington was pulled for the first time in his NHL career in a loss against Toronto Saturday. He has dropped back-to-back starts, but is still 13-6-4 with a 2.45 GAA and .921 save percentage overall.

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

Golden Knights 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 5:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Golden Knights 3, Blues 2

Moneyline (ML)

The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-106) are a good play on the road against the Blues (-115), who has been stumbling of late. You’ll be going against the trends in this series, as Vegas is 1-4 in the past five head-to-head matchups, with the home team 5-1 in the past six, but the Golden Knights are playing better hockey lately.

New to sports betting? Every $1.06 wagered for the Golden Knights to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout would profit $1 if they do so.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS. I don’t like the puck line in this series. Fleury and Binnington are good goaltenders and when they’re on their game, this has the potential to be a low-scoring game, possibly decided in overtime or a shootout. If you’re wondering, Vegas is +1.5 (-295) and St. Louis is -1.5 (+230).

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-106) is 5-1 in the past six for the Golden Knights, while going 5-2 in the past seven inside the Western Conference. The Blues have hit the Under in seven of their past eight against the West, while going 4-0 in the past four vs. Pacific Division foes.

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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St. Louis Blues at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s St. Louis Blues at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The St. Louis Blues (18-7-6) visit the Buffalo Sabres (14-11-6) at KeyBank Center Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Blues-Sabres odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Blues at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Jordan Binnington vs. Carter Hutton

Binnington has thus far backed up the 1.89 GAA and .927 SV coming-out party he enjoyed last season. The 26-year-old has logged a .921 SV% through 23 starts. He had been terrific over six straight starts from Nov. 19-Dec. 4 but was then rocked by the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 13-minute (four-goal) outing Dec. 7.

Hutton has struggled mightily since starting the season off on the right foot. Since posting back-to-back shutouts in mid-October, the veteran netminder has yielded a .876 SV% over 10 games.

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

Blues at Sabres: 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 10:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

St. Louis 2, Buffalo 1

Moneyline (ML)

NO PLAY on the +120 odds for the Sabres.

Expected goals numbers don’t support the two surges the Blues have had this season, a seven-game win streak from late October through early November and a four-game win streak recently ended.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Buffalo captain Jack Eichel owns a 13-game point streak (10 goals, 13 assists). That’s a career-best for Eichel, who leads the Sabres with 42 points this season.

NO PLAY on a slight lean toward Buffalo (+1.5, -228). The home side is coming off an Alberta-British Columbia road trip which included a Sunday overtime game. Over their last 19 games, the Sabres have averaged just 2.8 goals per game. A 5-for-59 power play (8%) over that span hasn’t helped.

Over/Under (O/U)

A fade of both offenses (too far over their skis with surface numbers) and a play on some regression and hidden positives among the goalies makes for UNDER 5.5 (+100) as the play here.

Hutton’s even-strength numbers are solid; he’s been undone on the power play and by an outlier number of low-slot goals (hard-to-stop shots from close proximity). A bounce on Binnington brings the same confidence.  Buffalo’s defense owns a wide swing in GAA, home vs. away, in favor of going low in this matchup. The Under is 18-13 in St. Louis games … 6-1 over the Blue’s last seven road games and 5-1-3 in the last nine meetings between St. Louis and Buffalo.

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 York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay matchup on Monday night with odds, bets, and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Lightning (14-10-3) entertain the New York Islanders (19-7-2) at Amalie Arena on Monday, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Islanders-Lightning odds and lines while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Islanders at Lightning: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov vs. Curtis McElhinney

Varlamov has a 9-3-2 record for New York with a 2.35 goals against average and .923 save percentage. He stopped 31 of 33 shots in a home, overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night. He was supposed to start on Saturday but was instead bumped to Monday.

McElhinney has a 3-2-2 record with a 3.42 GAA and .908 SV% in seven games played this season. The confirmed Tampa Bay starter last played Nov. 30, taking a home loss against Carolina when he gave up three goals on 24 shots.

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 them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Islanders 3, Lightning 2

Moneyline (ML)

The ISLANDERS (+150) and Lightning (-182) are both rested headed into this matchup. New York is 3-2 in its last five games, Tampa Bay 2-2-1. Expect this game to be close. New York allows just 2.62 goals on the road and is a solid 7-5-1 on the road. BACK NEW YORK slightly.

A $10 bet with New York results in a $15.00 profit with an outright win for the Islanders.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Lightning are 11-16 ATS, while New York is 14-14 ATS. This is one to AVOID, as the Islanders’ number at +1.5 (-176) does not have the value of the moneyline. Taking this wager on a $10 bet would result in just a $5.68 profit.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 6.5 (-154) is a reasonably good play. Even though McElhinney is in net for Tampa Bay, the Islanders have struggled to score goals of late. They have also been quite stingy at allowing them, as well. Over its last five games, New York has scored 12 goals and yielded 10. The under has also connected in the Islanders’ last two contests. 

Placing a $10 bet here will give a bettor a $6.49 profit with a total of six or fewer goals scored.

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

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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