Tag: NHL lines

New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers odds, picks and best bets

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

The New Jersey Devils (15-20-7) visit the New York Rangers (20-18-4) for a Metropolitan Division rivalry game in Madison Square Garden for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Devils-Rangers odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Devils at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Igor Shesterkin

Blackwood lost his last two starts, including a 4-3 OT loss to the New York Islanders, dropping his record to 14-11-6 with a 2.86 goals against average and .907 save percentage. Oddly enough, Blackwood has performed better on the road this season with a 9-4 record with a 2.73 GAA and .919 SV%.

Rookie goaltender Shesterkin notched a win in his first start, despite giving up a goal on his first shot faced, by stopping 29 shots in a 5-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche Jan. 7. The 2014 fourth-round pick has been waiting in the wings to succeed G Henrik Lundqvist — Shesterkin was 15-4-3 with a 1.93 GAA in his second AHL season before being called up.

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

Devils at Rangers: 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 2:55 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Rangers 5, Devils 3

Moneyline (ML)

The Rangers’ -167 is the right side of this bet but the moneyline is a stay away for me. On one hand, the Rangers have a way better moneyline balance on the season than the Devils; Rangers are +$802 compared to the Devils’ -$1,305 moneyline performance. On the other hand, the Rangers’ moneyline is terrible value.

PASS on Rangers’ -167 to win outright.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

All the trends point to the Rangers -1.5 (+155) in this game. The home team is 4-1 in the last five meetings and the favorite is also 4-1 in those games. The Devils are 1-6 in the last seven meetings in New York. Seven of the last 10 Devils-Rangers games have been decided by two or more goals, so the puck line isn’t unreasonable.

Over/under (O/U)

Part of the reason why we’re off the Rangers -167 moneyline is why we are betting OVER 6.5 (+125). Getting a plus-betting line has me taking the Over because the Over is 7-1-1 in their last nine meetings. Neither team excels defensively with the Devils allowing the fourth-most goals and the Rangers rank 13th in goals allowed in the NHL. Also, both teams should have plenty of opportunities to light the lamp; the Rangers have allowed the second-most scoring chances against them and the Devils are ranked 12th in SCA.

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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Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Nashville Predators (19-16-7) and Chicago Blackhawks (19-19-6) will tangle in a Central Division battle at United Center Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Predators-Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Predators at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Pekka Rinne vs. Corey Crawford

Rinne owns a 3.06 goals against average and .894 save percentage. Both numbers would be the worst of his career, but look for a bounce-back in the second half of the season.

Crawford is 7-12-2 on the season with a .906 SV% and 3.09 GAA.

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

Predators 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 11:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Chicago 3, Nashville 2

Moneyline (ML)

Chicago (+115) has looked better on the surface of late, and improvement has been made on the penalty kill. The Blackhawks continue to be woeful on the power play (3-for-their-last-32) and they are unsure as to how to pair star winger Patrick Kane in a productive and consistent line.

PASS.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Both clubs are a game or two under .500 against the puck line. Chicago does lose more than its fair share of games by 2 or more tallies, but the Preds haven’t been playing well enough to leverage the Nashville (-1.5 +185) line. Nashville is 1-4-1 with 4.5 goals per game allowed since Christmas. PASS.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over is 6-2 in Chicago’s last eight games on one-day rest, 33-15-1 in the Blackhawks’ last 49 games when their opponent scores two or fewer goals in their previous game and 8-1 over Nashville’s last nine road games. It’s also 10-2-1 in the Predators’ last 13 games overall and 5-1-1 over the Preds’ last seven games on one-day of rest.

Nashville has yielded a slew of shots lately. The ‘Hawks always do – they rank last in the NHL, allowing 35.8 shots per game. Back the UNDER 6.5 (-143). Both offenses are out too far over their skis in goals scored (underlying analytics don’t support their current rates). The Over trends are low-hanging fruit for bettors.

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 St. Louis Blues odds, picks and best bets

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

The Buffalo Sabres (19-17-7) and St. Louis Blues (27-10-7) tangle at Enterprise Center in St. Louis at 8 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Sabres-Blues sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Sabres at Blues: Projected starting goalies

Linus Ullmark vs. Jordan Binnington

Ullmark enters Thursday off of back-to-back wins and has improved to 13-11-3 for the season. He has a .911 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average.

The Stanley Cup-winning tendy has posted a 20-7-4 record, 2.53 goals against average and .917 save percentage with one shutout so far this season. Justin Bieber has a bet with Binnington that he can beat him at least once on 10 shots, and the money will go to charity. It seems unlikely, as lately, men who are paid to play hockey have struggled to sneak it by Binny. He has won seven of his past eight outings, allowing three or fewer goals in six of the contests.

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

Sabres 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 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Blues 5, Sabres 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Blues (-209) will cost you more than double your investment, and my rule is always to go only as low as -160 or -170, or AVOID. The Sabres (+170) also can’t be counted upon to pull the upset, as they’re just 3-6-1 in the past 10 overall.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on the Blues ML will profit $4.80 if they win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The BLUES (-1.5, +135) are worth a roll of the dice. Ullmark gives the Sabres a better chance than Carter Hutton would  but back the home side to win by at least 2 goals.

The Blues are 6-0 in their past six at home, 9-1 in the past 10 as a favorite and 26-9 in the past 35 against losing sides.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-125) is a bargain. While there is some concern if the Sabres can solve the red-hot Binnington, the Blues should be able to handle the bulk of the scoring Thursday.

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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Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Dallas Stars (24-14-4) visit the Los Angeles Kings (17-23-4) at Staples Center Wednesday night for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Stars-Kings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Stars at Kings: Projected starting goalies

Ben Bishop vs. Jonathan Quick

Bishop owns a 2.33 goals against average and .926 save percentage on the season. He’s perhaps a bit over his skis with a .894 SV% on the penalty kill. He has a .939 SV% at home vs. .895 on the road.

Quick owns a 3.05 GAA and .893 SV%. He was solid over five starts across the middle two weeks of December, but the veteran netminder has registered a mere .884 SV% in four starts since. Quick has struggled over recent starts against Dallas. He allowed eight goals on 56 shots in two starts against the Stars last season.

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

Stars at Kings: 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

Dallas 4, Los Angeles 3

Moneyline (ML)

Kings are 6-14-4 when coming off of one day of rest, while averaging 2.0 goals per game against their opponents’ 3.0. The Stars aren’t a great top-to-bottom puck-possession team, but they do a credible job in the production of and limitation of quality scoring chances, the best looks from good angles in the low-to-mid slot in front of the cage.

DALLAS (-150) is worthy of a line-watch. Early betting has gone heavily to the Dallas side and has wiped out some profit potential. A move back below -145 would trigger a small play.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS on the Dallas (-1.5, +190) line. Bishop’s road line makes the multi-goal win for the Stars a tough one to navigate.

Over/Under (O/U)

Dallas ranks 24th in goals scored (2.69) and first in goals allowed (2.43). Recent games gave been higher scoring, though. Those respective averages are 3.4 and 3.1 over the team’s last seven games. Los Angeles has yielded 3.3 GPG over its last six games.

The goaltender breakdown, recent trends and some movements in the numbers underpinning goal-scoring output point to a solid six- or seven-goal game here. Take the OVER 5.5 (+125).

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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Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Winnipeg Jets at Toronto Maple Leafs sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Winnipeg Jets (23-16-4) and Toronto Maple Leafs (24-15-5) will do battle at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto at 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday. We analyze the Jets-Maple Leafs sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Jets at Maple Leafs: Projected starting goalies

Connor Hellebuyck vs. Michael Hutchinson

Hellebuyck is the projected starter, and he puts his 19-12-4 record, 2.69 goals against average and .920 save percentage on the line. He earned a victory in Montreal on Monday night, stopping 29 of the 31 shots. However, he surrendered five goals on just 17 shots Jan. 2 in Winnipeg and was pulled by head coach Paul Maurice after two periods in favor of Laurent Brossoit.

Hutchinson is 3-6-1 with a 3.68 GAA and .892 save percentage overall, which isn’t terribly impressive. However, he has won three straight starts, including a shutout in his most recent assignment. He came on for Frederik Andersen on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers after the latter allowed three goals on 19 shots in 21:45 of ice time. Hutchinson originally came up through the Jets organization, so this will be extra special for him.

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

Jets 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 7 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Maple Leafs 5, Jets 3

Moneyline (ML)

The MAPLE LEAFS (-189) are heavily favored to bounce back after having their 9-0-1 run interrupted by the Oilers on Monday, falling 6-4. The Jets (+155) are just 2-5 in the past seven overall, and 1-6 in their past seven against teams with a winning overall mark.

New to sports betting? Every $1.89 wagered on the Maple Leafs ML will profit $1 if they win.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The MAPLE LEAFS (-1.5, +135) are the play. However, I have a bit of a sour taste in my mouth after betting it and losing outright against the Oilers. Bettors have to have short memories, though, you know?

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 6.5 (+100) is the best bet in this game. The Over has connected in 11 of the previous 15 battles at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and 12 of the past 15 games overall in this series, including the battle last week at MTS Centre in Winnipeg.

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 York Islanders at New Jersey Devils odds, picks and best bets

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

The New York Islanders (26-12-3) visit the New Jersey Devils (15-20-6) at Prudential Center Tuesday night  for 7 p.m. ET puck drop in Metropolitan Division action. We analyze the Islanders-Devils odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Islanders at Devils: Projected starting goalies

Thomas Greiss vs. MacKenzie Blackwood

Greiss takes to the cage with Semyon Varlamov having pitched a shutout against the Colorado Avalanche Monday. The 33-year-old owns a 2.58 goals against average and .919 save percentage through 19 games. But Greiss is coming off a rocky December, one that saw him go 1-5 with a .894 SV%. He’s been lifted in two of his last three starts and hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 27.

Blackwood has logged a 2.83 GAA and .908 SV% as the Devils’ primary goaltender. He allowed four goals to the Avalanche in a loss Saturday. The 23-year-old owns a .920 SV% over his last 14 games, and that stretch includes a 2-1 win over New York two starts back (Jan. 2).

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

Islanders at Devils: 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 Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Islanders 3, Devils 2

Moneyline (ML)

The ISLANDERS (-125) have logged some shaky possession numbers of late, but they lead the NHL in blocked shots, an overlooked stat and one that helps to mitigate and shorten soft stretches in a schedule. Greiss has a very good history when performing on a week-plus of rest. His .930 5-on-5 SV% this season is impressive and looms as a key figure in a game against a Devils club which draws a lot of penalties but struggles to convert with a 30th-ranked 14.4 power-play percentage. The Isles’ 81.5% penalty kill ranks 10th in the league.

The price is attractive, and the Islanders are the play on a moderate lean.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

PASS. The Islanders (-1.5, +220) are the lean as a side, but they tend to play in a higher percentage of one-goal games. That has certainly been their M.O. of late – four of their last five victories are of the one-score variety. The Devils’ side (+1.5, -278) has too much juice to overcome.

Over/Under (O/U)

We will also PASS on the projected total of 5.5 (Over: +105, Under: -125) for this one. Greiss’ shaky play of late plays into the gray area in pegging a number. Also, the Islanders have scored just two goals over their last three games. The last time New York suffered such a spell, however, they went on the road to score four against the Detroit Red Wings (Dec. 2). The Devils have coughed up five or more goals four times since Dec. 20.

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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Pittsburgh Penguins at Vegas Golden Knights odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Vegas Golden Knights sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (25-12-5) and Vegas Golden Knights (24-15-6) tangle at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at 10 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Penguins-Golden Knights sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Penguins at Golden Knights: Projected starting goalies

Matt Murray vs. Marc-Andre Fleury

Murray has posted a 12-6-4 record, 2.92 goals against average and .896 save percentage with one shutout. He’ll get a chance to go up against his former teammate, and the man he replaced in the Steel City.

Fleury enters with an 18-8-3 record, 2.79 GAA and .910 SV% with two shutouts. One of those shutouts came Oct. 19 back in Pittsburgh in a 3-0 victory, as he turned aside all 29 shots he faced.

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

Penguins at Golden Knights: 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 8:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Golden Knights 4, Penguins 2

Moneyline (ML)

The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-154) are favored a home, as Fleury and Vegas look for the season sweep. It will be a tough test, as the Penguins (+125) are 5-1 in the past six games on the road, 11-4 in the past 15 overall and 5-0 in the past five against winning teams. Vegas has been hot, too, winning four in a row at home, four in a row overall and, for what it’s worth, the Golden Knights are a perfect 7-0 in their past seven on a Tuesday.

New to sports betting? Every $1.54 wagered on the Golden Knights ML will profit $1 if they prevail.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

While I expect the Knights (-1.5, +155) to take care of business, betting the puck line is not good business in a marquee battle like this. It’s awfully tempting at 1.55 times the return. It’s still a risky play with two good teams. AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-115) is worth a small-unit bet. The number has gone Over in five of VGK’s past six overall, and four of the past five at home. While the Under is 13-6 in Pittsburgh’s past 19 as an underdog, the Over is 7-3 in the past 10 against teams with a winning overall mark.

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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Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Blue Jackets at Kings NHL betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (19-15-8) drop the puck on a four-game West Coast swing with a 10:30 p.m. ET tilt against the Los Angeles Kings (17-22-4) at Staples Center.

We analyze the Jackets-Kings odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Blue Jackets at Kings: Projected starting goalies

Elvis Merzlikins vs. Jonathan Quick

Merzlikins continues on as the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 goaltender while Joonas Korpisalo recovers from Dec. 31 surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which is expected to keep him out 4-6 weeks. Merzlikins — a 25-year-old rookie — is this far 2-1 in Korpisalo’s stead, logging a .945 save percentage in three starts. For the season, the 2014 third-rounder has logged a 2.94 GAA and .904 SV%.

Quick owns a 3.05 GAA and .894 SV% on the season. He’s been undone a bit by a low save rate on the PK. Quick hasn’t been in a game since Dec. 31; he has very good numbers this season when resting four days or more between appearances. The 33-year-old netminder has registered a nifty .920 SV% over his last five starts at home.

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

Blue Jackets at Kings: 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

Los Angeles 3, Columbus 2

Moneyline (ML)

Columbus is 4-8-3 against Western Conference foes this season. Yes, this particular opponent ranks last in the West with just 38 points through 43 games, but the Kings have exhibited some positive puck-possession trends of late and are a bit undervalued in general. The exchange of shots and quality looks has Columbus trending the other way.

Look for more from Quick in this one. Take LOS ANGELES (-110), although Monday-morning price fluctuations would suggest waiting for a better price.

New to sports betting? To make a $10 profit on the Kings to win straight up, one must bet $11.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Columbus plays a large percentage of one-goal games and is 14-5 against the puck line on the road. With Los Angeles at +1.5, -286, I will PASS on this one with the value so low.

Over/under (O/U)

The Jackets have played in six straight unders, and the under has prevailed in six of the Kings’ last seven home games. Expected-goal stats for both sides would indicate better days ahead for both goal scorers and netminders. The Jackets and Kings rank 29th and 30th, respectively, in 5-on-5 shooting percentage. Expect those figures to regress upward. Still, there are mixed signals in analyzing the game flow here. Will pass on the over 5.5 (+105)/under 5.5 (-125).

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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Edmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Edmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

The Edmonton Oilers (22-17-5) and Toronto Maple Leafs (24-14-5) square off at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. ET Monday (on NBCSN). We analyze the Oilers-Maple Leafs sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Oilers at Maple Leafs: Projected starting goalies

Mike Smith vs. Frederik Andersen

Smith is expected to make the start in Connor McDavid’s only visit to his hometown of Toronto. Smith enters with an 8-9-3 record, 3.01 goals against average (GAA) and .897 save percentage with one shutout. He snapped a personal five-game skid with a 4-1 win vs. the Boston Bruins Saturday, stopping 35 of 36 shots.

The All-Star Andersen puts his 21-8-4 record with a 2.67 GAA and .916 save percentage and one shutout on the line. His recent play has been the opposite of Smith, as he is 6-0-1 across his past seven appearances, while the Leafs are 9-0-1 in their past 10 outings to surge in the Atlantic Division.

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

Oilers 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 9:35 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Maple Leafs 5, Oilers 3

Moneyline (ML)

The Maple Leafs (-223) are too expensive at this price level, even though they’re at home, even though they have a red-hot goaltender, and even though they’re putting up huge offensive totals. This marquee game with big-time offense on both sides could go either way, although I expect Toronto’s hot streak to continue.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The MAPLE LEAFS (-1.5, +110) are worth a roll of the dice in what is sure to be a game featuring fire-wagon hockey. Toronto’s defense, or lack thereof, is concerning, but the offense has been on point lately, as has Andersen in the crease.

The Oilers (+1.5, -134) have won just four of their past 13 games overall, while going 2-6 in the past eight against the Atlantic Division. They’re also 3-8 in the past 11 as an underdog. More importantly, they’re 6-20 in the past 26 battles with the Leafs, and 0-7 in their past seen trips to Toronto.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 6.5 (+110) will fetch plus-money, but it’s the way to go here. Yes, the under is 4-0-1 in Edmonton’s past five road games, and 7-3-1 in Toronto’s past 11 at home. But Smith can be beaten frequently, and the Toronto offense is red-hot.

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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Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Florida Panthers (21-15-5) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (25-11-5) Sunday at 5 p.m. ET at PPG Paints Arena. We analyze the Panthers-Penguins odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Panthers at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Tristan Jarry

Bobrovsky owns a disappointing 3.33 goals against average and .895 save percentage this season. He stopped 4-of-7 shots before being replaced by Chris Driedger early in the second period of Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Over the last two seasons, Bobrovsky has been solid over three starts against the Pens.

Jarry has logged a league-best 1.94 GAA and .936 SV% over 17 starts and two relief appearances. His save mark is 40-plus points higher than that of starter Matt Murray. Jarry has registered three home shutouts over the last month, and two of those came against solid St. Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes.

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

Panthers 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 12 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pittsburgh 3, Florida 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Panthers are 2-5 over their last seven road games. They are in the final contest of a three games in four nights situation and they have played six games since Dec. 28. Jarry is rested and playing behind a Pens club which is 5-0 over its last five games against winning teams. Pittsburgh has impressive puck-possession indicators of late.

Florida’s win-loss record is outpacing its goals and goals allowed marks. The Panthers have had a couple winning spells that were very much built on the backs of bottom-feeder opponents. A look at Florida’s last 10 games backs up the case to fade. Take PITTSBURGH (-154).

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Puck-line trends – both for Florida on the road and against Pittsburgh at home – dilute the lean toward the Pens (-1.5, +170) here. PASS.

Over/under (O/U)

The Under is 24-11-1 over Pittsburgh’s last 36 home games. The bulk of the Florida fade is a tax on goals scored, and a bit of the same trend is baked into the numbers for the Pens. Back the UNDER 6.5 (-139).

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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