Tag: NHL lines

Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing day’s Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Winnipeg Jets (25-19-4) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (23-20-6) in a 7 p.m. ET tilt at the United Center. We analyze the Jets-Blackhawks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Jets at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Connor Hellebuyck vs. Robin Lehner

Hellebuyck is putting up similar numbers to those that earned him a runner-up vote for the Vezina Trophy two years ago. The fifth-year NHL’er owns a 2.67 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 40 games. Hellebuyck’s best outings this season were early on. He has struggled his way to an .896 SV% over his last 16 games.

Lehner returns to the Chicago cage after two straight Corey Crawford starts. The 28-year-old Swede owns a 2.85 GAA and .923 SV% this season. He has been terrific at home (.928 SV%) and has been sharp in both of Chicago’s games against Winnipeg (.943 GAA). An overly robust .934 SV in penalty-killing situations is a signal of likely downward regression. But lately the ‘Hawks have not spent much time in the penalty box; perhaps that regression comes due later in the second half.

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Jets 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 Sunday at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Chicago 4, Winnipeg 3

Moneyline (ML)

On the road, Winnipeg is 14-10 with a league-best 42.2% return on investment. At home, Chicago is 11-14 (-18% ROI). The Central Division foes have split a pair of games this season. Over those games and the two that preceded them, the road team is 4-0. But the Jets are just 2-4 in the opening game of a multi-game trip; the Blackhawks are 4-2 in return-to-home games after such trips.

Will lay off the near-pick-em moneyline (CHICAGO -115/WINNIPEG -106). Expect the line to move toward the ‘Hawks. A Jets +105 would be worthy of a look if enough action went toward Chicago.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Winnipeg is 18-6 (18.5% ROI) against the number on the road. But recent Jets’ performances have been off the mark. There are some underlying peripherals that have made Chicago a frequent fade during their 14-4 surge. There are enough cross signals to avoid the CHICAGO -1.5 +230/ WINNIPEG +1.5 -295 proposition.

Over/Under (O/U)

The over is 36-17-1 in Chicago’s last 54 games when their opponent scores two goals or less in their previous game. Winnipeg went into mid-December toting a GAA well under 3.0. The Jets have since allowed a 3.6 GAA in 16 games. In that 16-game span, puck-possession indicators have trended the wrong way and Winnipeg has allowed a 31.8% power play conversion rate.

WILL TAKE THE OVER 5.5 -139.

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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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Los Angeles Kings at Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Los Angeles Kings at Philadelphia Flyers sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Los Angeles Kings (18-26-5) visit the City of Brotherly Love to face off against the Philadelphia Flyers (25-17-6) for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Kings-Flyers odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Kings at Flyers: Projected starting goalies

Jonathan Quick vs. Brian Elliott

Quick has struggled recently, losing six of his last seven games, including a 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Jan. 14. He now sits at 11-17-3 with a .896 save percentage and 3.01 goals against average on the season.

Elliott picked up a 4-3 overtime victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions St. Louis Blues Wednesday. He stopped 30 of 33 shot attempts. The win pushed Elliott to 10-5-3 with a .897 SV% and 3.14 GAA.

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

Kings at Flyers: 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 12:00 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Kings 3, Flyers 1

Moneyline (ML)

Neither team has played well recently—the Kings are 3-7 straight up in their last 10 games and the Flyers are 4-6—but we have to back the KINGS (+150) here because their best players show out in Philadelphia. Captain Anze Kopitar is 11-0 with eight goals scored when playing in Philly. Quick should be excited to play in Philadelphia as the Kings have earned a point in every game he’s started there, winning six out of seven, with only one OT loss in 2014.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Kings have a 26-15 against the spread record while the Flyers are just 7-13 when laying 1.5 goals. While the Kings are ranked 27th in goals scored, they do a good job creating chances—ranked eight in scoring chances for—and should be able to capitalize against a team they’ve owned recently. Also, the Kings have a clear edge in 5-on-5 play; the Kings are ranked fourth in Corsi For percentage (percent of all shot attempts), while the Flyers rank 11th.

It’s wise to take KINGS (+1.5, -182) for a little insurance on our puck line wager.

Over/Under (O/U)

Trends point to UNDER 5.5 (+105) in the Kings-Flyers game. The Under is 13-4-3 in the last 20 meetings and 9-1-3 in the last 13 games in Philadelphia. Furthermore, both teams are below average in goals scored per game—the Flyers rank 16th and the Kings rank 25th.

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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Chicago Blackhawks at Toronto Maple Leafs odds, picks and best bets

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

The Chicago Blackhawks (22-20-6) close out a Canada road trip Saturday with a 7 p.m. ET game against the Toronto Maple Leafs (25-16-7) at Scotiabank Arena. We analyze the Blackhawks-Maple Leafs odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Blackhawks at Maple Leafs: Projected starting goalies

Corey Crawford vs. Frederik Andersen

Crawford owns a 3.00 goals against average and .908 save percentage. He stopped 32 of 33 against the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday and has logged a .933 SV% over his last three starts.

Andersen owns a 2.80 GAA and .912 SV% through 38 games. He has logged a 3.73 GAA and .893 SV% in six January games, but he yielded just one goal on 32 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames Thursday. The veteran netminder has been undone a bit on the penalty kill, were he has sported a .854 SV%. Andersen is the last line of defense for a Toronto team giving up more shots of late and allowing a 25% power-play conversion rate over the team’s last 11 games.

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

Blackhawks at Maple Leafs: 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 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Toronto 5, Chicago 4

Moneyline (ML)

Chicago is thus far 2-0 on its three-city Canadian tour (Ottawa-Montreal-Toronto). Overall, the Blackhawks have won three straight and nine of its last 14 games. Over those 13 games, the ‘Hawks allowed 3.0 goals per game and that’s on the heels of yielding 4.1 GPG from Nov. 29-Dec. 18 (11 games). Possession and shot-quality analytics are not in support of Chicago’s recent surge and those same peripherals are bullish on Toronto despite the Maple Leafs going just 1-4 over their last five games.

Saturday’s game marks the front end of a back-to-back for the ‘Hawks, who have struggled in such situations. Chicago is 3-6 in front-end games. In this scenario, there could also be some look-ahead letdown. After the Toronto game, the ‘Hawks go home for two ahead of next week’s all-star break and then their bye week. Make a small-to-moderate-confidence play on TORONTO (-209).

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Away from home, the Blackhawks are 15-8 against the puck line. And the Leafs have a near-mirror image of that with a 9-15 mark at home.

Again, there are some underlying peripherals making Chicago (+1.5, -149) a fade. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

Both teams have leaned toward the Over in recent games, and there are a slew of trends pointing the same way. The Over is 4-1 across the last five games in the Chicago-Toronto series. There is excellent leverage in the OVER 6.5 (-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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Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Dallas Stars at Minnesota Wild sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Dallas Stars (27-16-4) and Minnesota Wild (21-20-6) tangle at the Xcel Energy Center at 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the Stars-Wild sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Stars at Wild: Projected starting goalies

Ben Bishop vs. Devan Dubnyk

Bishop leads his Stars into the Twin Cities with an impressive 16-10-3 record, 2.22 goals against average and .929 save percentage in his 31 starts so far. He stopped eight of the 10 shots he faced against Wild in the Metroplex back on Oct. 29, but he was pulled after one period in favor of Anton Khudobin by then-coach Jim Montgomery, who felt Bishop wasn’t at the top of his game. Bishop faced the Wild on Dec. 1 in this very building, falling 3-2 in a shootout.

Dubnyk was an All-Star last season, but he limps in with an 8-12-2 record, 3.35 GAA and .892 SV%. He has yet to face the Stars this season. Alex Stalock is 1-1-0 with a 3.38 GAA and .891 SV% in two starts against the Stars this season, and he has a 10-7-3 record, 2.96 GAA and .903 save percentage. He would be the better choice if the Wild elect to go with Stalock.

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Stars 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 at 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 3, Wild 2

Moneyline (ML)

The STARS (-134) are 4-1 in their past five road games, and 7-2 in the past nine games overall. They’ve been rolling along, playing solid defense with timely goaltending lately. The Wild (+110), meh, not so much. They’re mired in a 1-4 tailspin, while going 2-5 in the past seven against winning sides. They’re also just 2-6 in the past eight as a home underdog.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The STARS (-1.5, +220) just don’t pile up the offense, and everything is a grind when they’re involved. The Wild (+1.5, -278) can’t be trusted, either, as a late empty-net goal always crushes bettors taking the goal and a half. At nearly three times your return, you can’t afford to roll those dice. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-150) carries quite a bit of juice, which helps you glean a little bit about what the lean of the oddsmakers is. You can play the alternate line of UNDER 4.5 (+135) if you really like to roll the dice, and come out ahead. If Stalock was the projected netminder, and not the sieve that is Dubnyk, I’d feel a lot more confident about the alternate line.

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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Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings odds, picks and best bets

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

The Pittsburgh Penguins (29-13-5) visit the Detroit Red Wings (12-32-3) at Little Caesars Arena Friday for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Penguins-Red Wings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Penguins at Red Wings: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Jimmy Howard

Murray owns a 2.91 goals against average and .896 save percentage. The 25-year-old has posted a .915 SV% over two games this month; his last start was Jan. 10.

Howard has been plucked apart time and again over this season. The veteran netminder owns a .876 SV%. He’s logged a mere .850 figure over his last 12 games. Howard was pulled eight minutes (and three goals) into his last start, and his confidence has to be at rock-bottom. Running mate Jonathan Bernier is on the shelf until after the all-star break.

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

Penguins 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 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 3

Moneyline (ML)

The line here has been hammered toward Pittsburgh. So much so, it has gone from budget play on the Pens to a near same for the Wings. The lean is DETROIT (+185). A number like +190 would make that profit potential vs. odds of winning too much to pass up.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Pittsburgh is playing its second game of a back-to-back. The Pens lost 4-1 at the Boston Bruins Thursday. They went into Boston with a 13-8 road mark against the puck line. With Thursday’s loss, Pittsburgh is 12-4 straight-up since Dec. 12. Over the stretch, the Pens have won half their games by multiple goals.

Pittsburgh is 11-5 as a dog on the puck line. But lay off the Penguins (-1.5, +120).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over is 7-2 over Detroit’s last nine home games, 13-5 over the last 18 Pittsburgh-Detroit games and 4-1 over Pittsburgh’s last five tilts as a road favorite.

With the two-sided goaltending situation and C Sidney Crosby being back for the Pens, the top-side of this play is costly. But it’s the best of the three. Take the OVER 5.5 (-143).

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 Rangers at New York Islanders odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s New York Rangers at New York Islanders sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The New York Rangers (22-19-4) commute to the Island for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop against the New York Islanders (28-13-4) at Nassau Coliseum. We analyze the Rangers-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Rangers at Islanders: Projected starting goalies

Alexandar Georgiev vs. Semyon Varlamov

Georgiev bounced back from back-to-back losses by defeating these very Islanders Monday by a 6-2 score. The win pushed him to 11-9-1 on the season with a .911 save percentage and 3.11 goals against average. Georgiev has stood on his head against division foes; he has a 4-1 record with .945 SV% and 2.01 GAA versus Metropolitan Division teams.

Varlamov, like the Islanders as a whole, has had a great regular season thus far, going 15-6-4 with a .919 SV% and 2.48 GAA. However, he was the starting netminder in the Islanders’ latest loss to the Rangers, giving up six goals on 35 shot attempts.

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

Rangers at Islanders: 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 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Rangers 3, Islanders 1

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams have been mediocre recently—the Rangers are 5-5 and the Islanders 5-4-1 in each of their last 10 games. The Underdog is 11-5 in the last 16 Rangers-Islanders games. Also, Varlamov has worse splits against the Rangers compared to his norms—his 6-4-1 but his .900 SV% and 3.00 GAA are downgrades from his overall average.

Let’s BACK RANGERS +140 on the moneyline.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Rangers are much better against the spread than the Islanders: The Rangers are 30-15 ATS overall, including 14-8 on the road, and the Islanders are 21-24 ATS overall with a 10-13 ATS record at home. The Islanders really underperform ATS as favorites, they have an 8-20 record on the 1.5-puck line. However, the regular puck lines are a no-go, in my opinion. Who wants to lay -200 for a Rangers -1.5 puck line?

BET (with a smaller wager) RANGERS (-1.5, +360) on the alternate line.  We are making a bigger bet on the Rangers to win outright but because the +360 is so enticing, why not sprinkle a little cash on the Rangers getting an empty-net goal in the final minutes?

Over/Under (O/U)

This game features a contrast in styles—the Rangers rank third in total goals per game and the Islanders rank 28th—but Rangers-Islanders games tend to go Under when the Islanders are the host team. The Under is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings with the Islanders at home. The Rangers average the most penalty minutes per game in the NHL but don’t expect the Islanders’ 20th ranked power-play unit to take advantage of that.

TAKE UNDER 5.5 (+125) for our third plus-money wager in this Rangers-Islanders contest.

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

Follow @Geoffery_Clark 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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San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s San Jose Sharks at Colorado Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The San Jose Sharks (21-23-4) and Colorado Avalanche (25-15-6) square off at Pepsi Center Thursday with puck drop set for shortly after 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sharks-Avalanche sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Sharks at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Aaron Dell vs. Philipp Grubauer

Dell has effectively taken over as the starting backstop in San Jose ahead of the stumbling Martin Jones. He has posted an 8-8-2 record with a 2.84 goals against average and .909 save percentage. Dell has posted four of his wins in six starts since flipping the calendar from December.

Grubauer is 12-10-4 with a 2.92 GAA and .909 save percentage so far this season. He will look to rebound after a 3-2 setback in overtime against the Dallas Stars Tuesday, blowing a 2-0 lead.

NHL Special Thursday Bet

Bet $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if both the New York Rangers and New York Islanders score a goal January 16, 2020. Bet Now!

Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Sharks 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 11:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Avalanche 5, Sharks 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Avalanche (-209) have been tumbling lately, but they have the offensive firepower to break out of their slump at any time. Look for the Avs to be able to crack the combination for Dell early and often in this one.

The home team has cashed in 40 of the last 56 meetings in this series, and the favorite is 37-14 in the past 51 meetings overall.

PASS on the moneyline bet, as a $10 bet on Colorado to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of just $4.80.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The AVALANCHE (-1.5, +125) are the play in this one, mainly because they’re at home. The Sharks (+1.5, -154) have struggled away from home, going 8-12-3 overall, a major reason they’re in the bottom half of the standings and outside of the playoff picture at the moment.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-150) is the lean here, but I don’t like the fact that it’s not ‘regular’ juice. You shouldn’t have to lay -150 on a wager which is generally -110, or -115 at most. Therefore I’d skip this one. You can do an alternate line of OVER 6.5 (+135) at plus-money for a better value, and with the high-powered offenses on both sides, this might be the way to go.

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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Buffalo Sabres at Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

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

The Buffalo Sabres (21-19-7) and Dallas Stars (27-15-4) will lock horns at American Airlines Center in Dallas at 8:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Sabres-Stars sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Sabres at Stars: Projected starting goalies

Linus Ullmark vs. Ben Bishop

The Sabres have leaned upon Ullmark heavily, as Carter Hutton has been horrific. Ullmark is 15-12-3 with a 2.78 goals against average and .911 save percentage with a shutout. Ullmark hasn’t faced the Stars this season, but he was amazing against them in two outings last year. He allowed three goals on a total of 54 shots, but took the loss in both games.

Bishop posted an impressive 3-2 win in overtime Tuesday night in Colorado, as the Stars came back from a 2-0 deficit. Bishop is 16-9-3 with a 2.23 GAA and .930 save percentage this season. He fell 4-0 in Buffalo Oct. 14 in the first head-to-head meeting when he made just 18 saves.

NHL Special Thursday Bet

Bet $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if both the New York Rangers and New York Islanders score a goal January 16, 2020. Bet Now!

Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Sabres 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 10:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Stars 3, Sabres 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Stars (-223) are favored heavily over the Sabres (+180) despite the fact Buffalo won the first meeting 4-0 Oct. 14. These teams are totally different since then, and Dallas even has a new coach, as Rick Bowness has replaced Jim Montgomery behind the bench. Buffalo is struggling, and Dallas is rolling. Still, you can’t risk twice as much as your return on investment. AVOID.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The STARS (-1.5, +135) are the play on the puck line, albeit rather lightly. The Sabres have won just 11 of their past 41 on the road, and they’re 17-41 in the previous 58 as an underdog away from home. The Stars have rocketed up the Central Division standings, winning seven of the past eight overall, and 13 of the past 17 at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-129) is the way to go. While the Over is 3-0-1 in the past four for Buffalo overall, the Under is 5-2-1 in the past eight when working on just one day of rest. The Under is also 6-2-1 in the past nine meetings in this series, including each of the past three.

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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Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins odds, picks and best bets

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

The Pittsburgh Penguins (29-12-5) and Boston Bruins (27-9-12) tangle at TD Garden at 7 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Penguins-Bruins sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Penguins at Bruins: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Jaroslav Halak

Murray is riding a three-game winning streak. He is 13-6-4 on the season with a .896 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average, but may finally be starting to round back into form after losing playing time to backup Tristan Jarry.

Starter Tuukka Rask was knocked out of Tuesday’s start at the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening minutes of the first period after a violent collision with Emil Bemstrom. Head coach Bruce Cassidy normally likes to rotate his goaltenders, so Halak was likely to make this start anyway. Halak allowed three goals on 27 shots in the loss, playing 58:48, so it’s uncertain if Cassidy turns to Rask if he is cleared.

NHL Special Thursday Bet

Bet $1, WIN $100 (in free bets) if both the New York Rangers and New York Islanders score a goal January 16, 2020. Bet Now!

Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Penguins at Bruins: 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 10:25 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 4, Bruins 2

Moneyline (ML)

The PENGUINS (+115) are a solid play on the road. Pittsburgh has won five straight on the road and 18 of its last 24 games overall. The Bruins (-139) have managed wins in just three of the past 10 games at home, and they’re 1-4 in the past five against Metropolitan Division foes.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered for the Penguins to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout would profit $11.50 if they do so.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Penguins (+1.5, -239) should be avoided. If you want insurance, they’re not worth playing, as they’ll cost you nearly two and a half times your return on investment. The Bruins (-1.5, +195) are a nice play at double money if you’re feeling the home side. I’m not, though. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-134) has cashed in four in a row for the Pens, and four of the past five on the road. The Over is also 5-0 in Pittsburgh’s past five against teams with a winning overall mark, too. The Over is 3-1-1 in Boston’s past five games overall while going 10-2 in the past 12 meetings in this series and 5-1 in the previous six battles at TD Garden.

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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New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The New Jersey Devils (17-22-7) and Washington Capitals (31-11-5) tangle at the Capital One Arena in Washington at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Devils-Capitals sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Devils at Capitals: Projected starting goalies

Louis Domingue vs. Ilya Samsonov

Domingue didn’t have it last time out against the Maple Leafs in Toronto Tuesday, as he was bombed for five goals on just 19 shots in a loss. However, he had turned back the Lightning to snap a 10-game win streak, and before that he allowed just one goal on 34 shots in a win in this very same venue against the Capitals last Saturday. Overall, he is 3-5-0 with a 3.55 goals against average and .884 save percentage in 10 appearances.

The rookie Samsonov continues to eat into Stanley Cup winner Braden Holtby’s playing time. He is 13-2-1 with a 2.11 GAA and .925. He wasn’t in net last weekend when the Devils surprised the Caps, but it was Holtby instead. Look for Samsonov to right the ship.

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

Devils at Capitals: 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 8:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Capitals 5, Devils 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Capitals (-334) are overwhelming favorites, and if you’ve read my stuff in the past, you’ll know I choose to avoid favorites of more than -160 or -170 at the max. AVOID. On the flip side, the Devils (+260) pulled an upset last time they visited last week, but it’s not going to happen again.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on the Capitals ML will only profit $2.99 if they win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

You’ll still have to lay money if you plan to bet the CAPITALS (-1.5, -115) on the puck line, but it’s almost even-money. You can expect Washington to be awfully angry after being embarrassed by these same Devils last weekend. If you’re believing in the Devils (+1.5, -106), or you feel this game will be a close one, New Jersey is nearly even-money catching a goal and a half. I’m not buying it, though.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 6.5 (+105) is worth a small-unit wager at plus-money. The Over has hit in nine of the past 13 games overall for the Devils, and five of their past seven road outings. In addition, they’re playing their fourth game in six days, and they’re 4-1 in the past five in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation. The Over is also 19-8 in the past 27 at home for the Caps.

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

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