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NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (3/16)

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We have a stacked 11-game slate of hockey on Thursday with some great matchups. Below, I give out my two best bets for this NHL slate.

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Thursday’s Best NHL Bets

Odds via BetRivers Sportsbook

Tampa Bay Lightning (+106) @ New Jersey Devils (-130) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-120)

This is an Eastern Conference tilt with the Devils hosting the Lightning. These two clubs enter this contest in opposite form, with the Bolts losing seven of their last 10 games and the Devils winning seven of their last 10.

While Tampa Bay is obviously very good, they lag behind New Jersey in almost every category. At 5-on-5, the Bolts rank eighth in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 16th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

On the flip side, at 5-on-5, the Devils rank fourth in the league in xGF/60 and seventh in xGA/60. The one advantage Tampa possesses is in net, as all-world goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is projected to start between the pipes.

However, Vitek Vanecek, the projected starter for New Jersey, has also fared well this season as he boasts a .908 save percentage (SV%) and 2.52 goals against average (GAA) through 43 appearances in the crease. After losing on home ice to the Lightning on Tuesday, look for the Devils to bounce back on home ice.

Best Bet: Devils ML (-130)

Vancouver Canucks (-141) @ Arizona Coyotes (+116) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-117)

Later in the evening, there is a Western Conference tilt with the Coyotes hosting the Canucks. Entering this matchup in tremendous form, Vancouver has won each of its last five games and looks to continue its improved play under new head coach Rick Tocchet.

There is perhaps not a better opponent to keep it going against than the lowly Yotes, who, at 5-on-5, rank third-to-last in the league in xGF/60 and fourth-to-last in xGA/60. While Vancouver’s underlying metrics are also poor, they rank six spots higher in xGF/60 and four spots higher in xGA/60.

It is no coincidence that the Canucks’ improved play is occurring as soon as goaltender Thatcher Demko returned from injury. In his six starts since returning to the crease, Demko is 5-1 with a .928 SV% and 2.17 GAA.

Ride the hot hand on Thursday evening and back Vancouver to extend its win streak to six games.

Best Bet: Canucks ML (-141)

Best of luck!

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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.