Tag: NHL spread

Boston Bruins at Calgary Flames odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Bruins vs. Flames NHL sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Boston Bruins (38-11-12) visit the Calgary Flames (31-24-6) for a Friday night (9 p.m. ET) tussle on the ice at the Saddledome. We analyze the Bruins-Flames odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Bruins at Flames: Projected starting goalies

Tuukka Rask vs. David Rittich

Rask is the projected starter for what would be his sixth effort in Boston’s last seven games. The veteran netminder owns a 2.04 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage — the latter on pace for a career-best mark. Rask has put up monster numbers in January and February (8-1-1 record, .954 SV). He hasn’t allowed so much as three goals in a game since Dec. 23. Boston’s last game was Wednesday at Edmonton (a 2-1 overtime win); Rask stopped 28-of-29 shots.

Rittich owns a 2.93 GAA and .908 in 43 games this season. His numbers at home have been a couple clicks worse than those figures, and that’s part of a multi-year trend. Rittich’s February has been a dismal one; the 27-year-old has logged a 4.15 GAA and .872 SV. He was pulled in his last start (Saturday versus Chicago) after allowing four goals on 15 shots in 26 minutes.

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

Bruins at Flames: 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 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Boston 4, Calgary 1

Moneyline (ML)

Boston (-154) has won four straight games and 10 of its last 11. Over that stretch, the goaltending has been superior and puck-possession numbers have been strong. The shot percentages — for and against — aren’t sustainable in the long run, and the Bruins overall are a tad too far out over their Pythagorean skis (their record is better than their goals and goals allowed would figure). But this is a top-shelf team with a good goalie going strong. Going against Boston would be unwise.

The straight-up price, however, doesn’t offer enough value and thus I’ll PASS ON THE MONEYLINE and look to the spread.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Bruins to win would return a profit of $6.49.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

During their 10-of-11 run, the Bruins have won six games by multiple goals. Boston is in a fight for home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs, and a letdown seems unlikely. A club that is 5-1 over its last six games in a different time zone facing a Calgary squad that’s gone 1-4-1 over its last six at home is worth a puck-line play if we can get more than +165 in return.

BOSTON -1.5 (+180) is a solid play.

Over/Under (O/U)

Calgary has played in six straight overs; Boston has played in five consecutive unders. The under is a slight lean here, but the Under 5.5 (+100) has the risk/reward factor well blanketed. 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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New York Rangers at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s New York Rangers at Chicago Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New York Rangers (30-24-4) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (26-25-8) for an interconference tussle at United Center. Puck drop will be shortly after 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Rangers-Blackhawks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Rangers at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Henrik Lundqvist vs. Corey Crawford

Lundqvist is projected to make his first start since Feb. 3. With the emergence of Igor Shesterkin, the 37-year-old Lundqvist has been the odd man out in a three-headed rotation in front of the Ranger twine. Shesterkin is a possibility for this one; he’s been day-to-day with an ankle injury and has missed the Blueshirts’ last three games. Lundqvist has posted a 3.12 goals against average and .907 save percentage through 25 starts and three relief appearances. He has logged a mere .879 SV% over his last five games.

Crawford heads into Wednesday’s tilt with a hot hand. The veteran netminder owns a robust .931 SV% over his last seven games, but he has gone just 3-3-1 over that time. For the season, Crawford owns a .912 SV% and 2.89 GAA. He stopped 18-of-19 shots in a turn against the Rangers last season.

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

Rangers 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 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Chicago 4, New York 2

Moneyline (ML)

Recent win-loss records spell good things for New York (4-1 over its last five games) and disaster for Chicago (1-4-2 since Feb. 4). In both cases, puck-possession analytics lean toward regression. The ‘Hawks are opening a two-game homestand after a five-game road trip. In home games after multi-game road trips, Chicago is 5-1-2 this season.

The lean is there, and the price is right: CHICAGO (-134) is a solid play.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

On the road, the Rangers are 18-9 against the puck line, but the BLACKHAWKS (-1.5, +200) are an intriguing pick. Both teams last played Sunday, and the Blackhawks have enjoyed tremendous success on two days of rest. The ‘Hawks are 8-2-1 overall in such games and 8-3 against the puck line. Chicago’s power play continues to be dreadful, as the Blackhawks haven’t scored an extra-man goal since Feb. 5, and they rank last in the NHL with a 14% success rate in such situations.

PASS on the puck line in this one, but the price is attractive. A shift to +210 unleashes a play.

Over/Under (O/U)

Over and Under trends for both sides are mixed. The scoring has more gray area than the average game. PASS on the Over 5.5 (-154)/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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Toronto Maple Leafs at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Toronto Maple Leafs at Pittsburgh Penguins sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (31-21-8) visit the Steel City Tuesday for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop at the PPG Paints Arena against the Pittsburgh Penguins (36-15-6). We analyze the Leafs-Penguins odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Maple Leafs at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Frederik Andersen vs. Tristan Jarry

Anderson lost back-to-back starts, including a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in Toronto’s last game on Sunday. He’s now at 24-11-6 on the season with a .908 save percentage and a 2.93 goals against average.

Jarry has been better than Matt Murray as the Penguins netminder in essentially the same amount of games. He has a higher winning percentage and save percentage plus gives up fewer goals per game. Jarry is 19-8-1 with a .930 SV% and a 2.14 GAA.

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

Maple Leafs 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 Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 4, Leafs 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Penguins are a phenomenal home team with a 21-5-4 record and a +1.06 goal differential in games at home. Pittsburgh crushed the Maple Leafs, 6-1, in their first meeting of the season on Nov. 16. The game was played in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins have owned the Leafs in recent years (10-4 in the last 14 home games against Toronto). Furthermore, this is a bad spot for the Leafs, who are 0-8 in their last eight in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 scenario.

BET PENGUINS -139 ON THE MONEYLINE.

New to sports betting? A $100 wager on the Penguins to win would return a profit of $71.94.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

This game could be a more competitive game as Toronto +1.5 (-200) is starting its top goaltender in Anderson, whereas the Leafs started Kasimir Kaskisuo for his first, and only, career NHL game in their first meeting. But the Penguins -1.5 (+165) are the hotter team—winning five out of their last seven games with their only two losses coming against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that is second in the NHL in points. Also, five of the last six Leafs-Penguins games have been decided by two or more goals. 

TAKE THE PENGUINS ON THE PUCK LINE. 

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 6.5 (-115) is the right play on the total because the trends say so and BetMGM is trying to scare bettors off with heavier vig on the Under. Three out of the last four Leafs-Penguins games have gone Under the projected total. The Under is 3-0-1 in Penguins last four games as a favorite and 3-0-2 in their last five versus Eastern Conference foes. 

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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Washington Capitals at Vegas Golden Knights odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Washington Capitals at Vegas Golden Knights sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Washington Capitals (37-16-5) travel to Fabulous Las Vegas to take on the Vegas Golden Knights (30-22-8) in a President’s Day contest at T-Mobile Arena. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. ET. We analyze the Capitals-Golden Knights odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Capitals at Golden Knights: Projected starting goalies

Braden Holtby vs. Marc-Andre Fleury

Holtby and the Capitals have had three days off since beating the Colorado Avalanche in Denver Thursday. The Caps netminder owns a 3.14 goals against average and .896 save percentage. Over 11 games from Dec. 23-Feb. 8, Holtby was torched to the tune of a .842 SV%. He gave up seven goals in his last home start but has rallied since to stop 12-of-12 in a relief appearance and 32-of-34 at Colorado last Thursday.

Fleury has appeared in 41 games this season (40 starts). He has posted a 2.87 GAA and .904 SV%. The 13-year NHL veteran has scuffled his way to a .854 SV% over his last 223 minutes of ice time.

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

Capitals 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 9:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Vegas 4, Washington 3

Moneyline (ML)

Washington is an impressive 6-1 on three days of rest this season. Vegas is 1-2-1. The Golden Knights are a solid rest-of-the-way dark horse. They are in the middle of a difficult stretch of their schedule that had them bracket their late-January bye week with four road games before and four after (no home games from Jan. 12-Feb. 7). Then, the Knights returned home for just one game before going to Minnesota. Now, Vegas is hosting five straight games, but against a tough collection of foes (St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers).

Through it all, Vegas has maintained some peripherals worth backing. Today’s line — VEGAS -139 — is worth backing.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Washington is 20-9 against the puck line on the road. Vegas is a mere 9-21 at home.

The overall lean toward the Knights and a solid price are worth a watch here. KEEP AN EYE ON VEGAS -1.5 (+180) and grab the Knights if the line approaches +185.

Over/Under (O/U)

Washington has allowed 4.0 goals per game over its last seven. When Washington plays on three days of rest, their combined goal totals have averaged 7.14 per game. For Vegas, the total has averaged 7.5. In a combined 10 games on three days of rest, the Over is 9-1. The Over is a combined 12-5 when these teams play during the day.

Take the OVER 6.5 (+125) at a generous price.

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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Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Toronto Maple Leafs (31-20-8) take a quick trip across the border to play the Atlantic Division-rival Buffalo Sabres (26-24-8), in the KeyBank Center at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Maple Leafs-Sabres odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Maple Leafs at Sabres: Projected starting goalies

Frederik Andersen vs. Jonas Johansson

Anderson lost in his last start against the Dallas Stars at home, saving just 16 of 19 shots. His record is now 24-10-6 with a .909 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average. 

Johansson is making just his third start in his career as he was called up after backup goaltender Linus Ullmark was sidelined with an injury. This is back-to-back starts for Johansson who’s lost both of his starts and is 0-1-1 with a .899 SV% and 2.78 GAA.

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

Maple Leafs 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 12:40 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Sabres 4, Leafs 3

Moneyline (ML)

While the Maples Leafs are seeded eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, and Buffalo is 11 points behind the second wild card team, this is a fierce rivalry that the Sabres will get up for. Toronto is 7-1 in the last eight tilts against Buffalo, but the Leafs played on Saturday night and Toronto is 2-6-3 in the second game of back-to-backs. One of those victories did come in the second of a home and away back-to-back against Buffalo. The difference in this game is that the Sabres didn’t play the night before and are fresher than the Leafs. Expect the Sabres to hold down home ice and bet BUFFALO +125. 

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

It’d be wise to take BUFFALO +1.5 (-209) as insurance for our moneyline wager. Buffalo is 6-1 ATS over the previous seven games. Also, the Sabres are 27-12 as 1.5-goal dogs and the Leafs are 19-30 against the 1.5-goal puck line this season.

Over/Under (O/U)

The matchup to watch is first-line centers Sabres’ Jack Eichel vs. Leafs’ Auston Matthews. Buffalo’s captain has 22 points in 16 career games against the Leafs. Matthews scored two goals in their first meeting this season, but has only tallied one assist in the next two games. Eichel will continue his tear against Toronto, and Matthews will light the lamp in Buffalo against a rookie goalie. 

The Over/Under Leafs-Sabres trends look good for the Over too. The Over is 18-7-3 in the last 28 meetings. Bookmakers have adjusted — setting their totals at 6.5 for the past six meetings — and the Over is 4-2 in those games. OVER 6.5 (+120) is the play.

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

Previewing day’s Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Detroit Red Wings (14-42-4) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (35-15-6) for a Sunday matinee (12:30 p.m. ET) at PPG Paints Arena.. We analyze the Red Wings-Penguins odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Red Wings at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Jimmy Howard vs. Matt Murray

Howard has some ugly numbers on the season, and it begins with his 2-21-1 record on the season. His 3.98 GAA is last in the league by more than a half-goal. His .889 save percentage is also last in the NHL. He is coming off of a promising showing, though, as he stopped 42 of 43 shots in the 2-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets Feb. 7. He also stopped 35 of 37 shots in the 2-1 overtime loss to the Pens Jan. 17.

Murray owns a 2.82 GAA and .902 SV on the season. The 6-foot-4 25-year-old has been solid at home (.917 SV) this season and quite good everywhere of late. He’s logged a .927 SV over his last five starts, and that stretch began with stopping 28 of 29 against the Red Wings (Jan. 17). Murray has been a strong finisher over his career, hoisting his best numbers in February, March and April.

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

Red Wings 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 Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 1

Moneyline (ML)

Pittsburgh is 17-4-1 on one-day rest. Detroit is 2-6-1 on two days’ rest, and the Red Wigs are just 5-24-1 away from home. Comparing goal margins to won-loss records points to Detroit actually being too far out over its skis with even 14 wins. The same look indicates the Penguins may be better than their current 35 wins.

So, a PITTSBURGH -385 line isn’t that far off. But let’s skip the straight-up moneyline for a better risk/reward play on the puck line.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Recent puck-possession trends have not been strong, and Pittsburgh has won by multiple goals just once in the last month. That “once” was a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night. The Pens are 2-0 against Detroit this season. Both wins (by scores of 5-3 and 2-1) have come with the Red Wings on home ice.

The price is right here. WILL BACK PITTSBURGH -1.5 (-134).

Over/Under (O/U)

Detroit allows 4.1 goals per game on the road, but the Wings’ recent trends are peppered with unders. The under is also 5-1 over the Pens’ last six games against a foe coming off a game scoring two goals or less. And then there is the Pittsburgh offense, which has more to give than recent rates of scoring would indicate.

LAY OFF THE OVER 5.5 (-150) in a game that could well be high-scoring on one side and low-scoring on the other.

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 Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche sports betting odds, with NHL matchup analysis and picks.

The Los Angeles Kings (20-33-5) face off Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche (33-17-6) in the neutral setting of the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium for an 8:00 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Kings-Avalanche odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Kings at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Jonathan Quick vs. Philipp Grubauer

Quick has had a 2020 to forget: He’s 0-7-1 with a .900 save percentage and a 3.33 goals against average since the turn of the year. This season, Quick is 11-22-3 with a .895 save % and 3.05 GAA.

The other netminder, Grubauer, has had a solid beginning of the year, going 8-3-1 with a .925 save % and 2.18 GAA. Grubauer has won four of his last five starts pushing his record to 18-12-4 on the season with a .915 save % and 2.65 GAA.

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

Kings 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 1:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Avalanche 5, Kings 2

Moneyline (ML)

The Kings +220 are coming into this game off of a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames but lost their previous five, and the Avalanche -278 dropped their last game, 3-2 to the Washington Capitals, after winning five straight. 

Colorado should have its way with Los Angeles and the neutral site location shouldn’t matter much for this game. The Kings are a decent 12-12-1 at home but awful 8-22-4 in games, while the Avalanche has a strong record wherever they play and actually have a better record on the road (18-9-2) than at home (15-8-4). 

Personally, I don’t like the Kings’ chances at all here and the Avalanche -278 is priced too high. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Los Angeles has lost two of its last three games to the Avalanche, giving up seven goals in both of those losses. Plus the Kings’ last six games have been decided by two or more goals.  Colorado has a slightly better against the spread record (32-24) than the Kings (30-28). Also, the Avalanche are 5-1 when favored by -200 or more whereas the Kings are 2-4 when they are a +200 or more dog. Let’s TAKE AVALANCHE -1.5 (EVEN) at the reduced vig and gamble on the much stronger Colorado side putting this game away early and/or getting an empty-net goal to get an ATS win.

Over/Under (O/U)

The past six Kings-Avalanche games have alternated between the Over and the Under with the Over cashing in their last meeting. But that streak ends here today because Avalanche games have the fifth-highest goals per game—scoring the most goals per game in the NHL—and are going against a Kings team that is 23rd in opponent’s goals per game. The Avalanche have an Over/Under record of 27-26 but that’s skewed a tad since the Under has cashed five straight Colorado games.

BET OVER 5.5 (-129). 

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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Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Montreal Canadiens at Pittsburgh Penguins sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

The Montreal Canadiens (27-25-7) visit the Steel City to play the Pittsburgh Penguins (34-15-6) at PPG Paints Arena in a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Canadiens-Penguins odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Canadiens at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Carey Price vs. Matt Murray 

Price dropped his last two starts against the Boston Bruins (4-1) and the Arizona Coyotes (3-2). His record is 24-20-4 with a .913 save percentage and 2.71 goals against average through 48 games played (all starts).

In the other crease, Murray is coming in on consecutive losses himself, but both were to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have the second-most points in the NHL. Murray is 16-7-5 on the season with a .902 SV% and 2.82 GAA.

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

Canadiens 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 12:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Penguins 3, Canadiens 2

Moneyline (ML)

This is the third meeting this year between the Canadiens and Penguins with the season series tied 1-1. Both games were won by the road team and both went Over the projected total. The Canadiens (+155) have been better on the road this season with a 14-10-3 record and a plus-.26 goal differential on the road compared to a 13-15-4 record and minus-.33 goal differential at home. Also, Montreal has won two straight games in Pittsburgh. 

The Penguins (-189) are one of the better teams at home this season with a 19-5-4 record in Pittsburgh. Their scheduled starting goalie, Murray, has a 4-1 lifetime record against Montreal with a .921 SV% and 2.19 GAA. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE because there isn’t enough value on either side.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Despite the low odds, the CANADIENS (+1.5, -167) are the right play here because of their against the spread trends. Montreal is 17-10 ATS on the road and 21-7 when getting 1.5 goals. Pittsburgh is just 11-17 ATS at home and 13-23 when laying 1.5 goals. Price has been better on the road than at home this season. He has a better record, higher SV% and lower GAA in 21 road starts. Also, the underdog is 5-0 in the last five meetings. 

Over/Under (O/U)

The last three Canadiens-Penguins games went Under the projected total. Plus, the Under has cashed in four straight Canadiens games and two consecutive Penguins games. The Canadiens have played a lot of close, low-scoring games against quality opponents recently. The Under is 3-0-1 in the Canadiens last four games versus a team with a winning record and 5-1-1 in the Canadiens last seven games as an underdog.

BET UNDER 5.5 (+105).

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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St. Louis Blues at Vegas Golden Knights odds, picks and best bets

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

The St. Louis Blues (32-15-9) will take on the Vegas Golden Knights (28-22-8) Thursday at 10 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena. We analyze the Blues-Golden Knights odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Blues at Golden Knights: Projected starting goalies

Jordan Binnington vs. Marc-Andre Fleury

Binnington owns a 2.66 goals against average and a .910 save percentage through 40 games. He’s scuffled away from home and hasn’t been in good form of late with a .870 SV% since Jan. 15.

Fleury has logged a 2.87 GAA and .904 SV% through 41 games (40 starts). The veteran netminder has coughed up nine goals over his last 105 minutes between the pipes. He owns a lowly .854 SV over his last four outings. Fleury has faced the Blues twice this season, allowing four goals each time.

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

Blues 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 10:50 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Vegas 4, St. Louis 1

Moneyline (ML)

The Golden Knights (-161) are opening a five-game homestand and perhaps just now getting their legs back after an eight-game road stretch (split in half by the bye week), a return to home ice for one and then a trip to Minneapolis. Vegas is 8-3-1 as a home favorite and taking on a St. Louis squad which is 1-7 over its last eight on the road and looking for answers at both ends of the ice. The home team has won seven of the last eight head-to-head meetings between the two teams.

PASS on the moneyline play for Vegas, however, as there’s better value on the spread. Even accounting for the extra risk, the reward on the puck line play makes for a more acceptable return.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Knights have played below expected levels when it comes to what their record “should” be based on goals scored and allowed. Those numbers can also be improved on the margins based on puck-possession and shot-quality analysis. In the futures market, Vegas is a solid play at the right price.

And the VEGAS -1.5 (+170) is a solid play in Thursday’s market as well.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over is 6-1 in the Golden Knights’ last seven games as a home favorite, 7-2 in Vegas’ last nine games playing on one-day rest and 5-1-1 in the Blues’ last seven road tilts.

The Over is the general lean here, but the OVER 5.5 (-121) doesn’t deserve backing. The play is over-saturated on that side.

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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St. Louis Blues at Anaheim Ducks odds, picks and best bets

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

The St. Louis Blues (32-15-9) travel to Southern California to take on the Anaheim Ducks (23-26-7) Tuesday for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop at Honda Center. We analyze the Blues-Ducks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.

Blues at Ducks: Projected starting goalies

Jordan Binnington vs. John Gibson

Binnington owns a 2.66 goals against average and .910 save percentage. He allowed three goals on 24 shots against the Ducks Nov. 16. Binnington has won just twice in seven since Jan. 11, and he has posted an .870 SV% over that stretch.

Gibson owns a 2.96 GAA and .904 SV% through 41 games. The 26-year-old has been solid at home (2.62 GAA, .913 SV%), and he’s logged a couple nice starts against the Blues (.931 SV%). Gibson has registered a .892 SV% in five games since the All-Star break. He’s well-rested, with his last start being last Thursday.

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

Blues at Ducks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Tuesday at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

St. Louis 3, Anaheim 1

Moneyline (ML)

Overall this season, the Blues have been a bit puck-lucky with goal-scoring outpacing support numbers. That’s not the case of late, however. The last nine games for St. Louis have resulted in a 2-5-2 record, with puck-possession and shot-value indicators remaining much the same as they had been over a 12-2-1 surge prior. Over those nine games, the Blues have logged a 7.8% shooting mark and a .871 SV%.

A tip of the cap, though, as the Blues’ (-162) moneyline price would indicate a realistic appraisal by the market. PASS on the ML.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The BLUES (-1.5, +170) are the better play of the two sides. That’s a borderline low-confidence play, although a price closer to +180 would more strongly encourage a play. The two-goal cushion also works against what I view as the top play on this game — the total.

Over/Under (O/U)

Projecting Binnington to bounce back and reckoning both offenses as being a bit over-valued make for the UNDER 5.5 (-115) being a profitable play in this one. The Ducks’ penalty-killing unit was roughed up in a four-game road trip that concluded their last time out. Anaheim’s PK is sub-par overall, but the Blues draw penalties at a below-average rate. The public has been moving the way of the Under for this game. Waiting too long may cut into profitability with a higher cost.

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

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