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NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/9)

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We have a strong seven-game slate of hockey on Thursday with some great matchups. Below, I give out my two best bets for Thursday’s NHL slate.

And here are our other top picks for Thursday:

Get ready for the big game with our Super Bowl LVII Betting Guide >>

Today’s Best NHL Bets

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San Jose Sharks (+185) @ Florida Panthers (-235) | O/U 7 (+102/-122)

The Atlantic Division’s Florida Panthers host the Pacific Division’s San Jose Sharks in this cross-country tilt. While the Panthers are obviously the better team and correctly priced as the betting favorite, the Sharks should not be listed as this big of an underdog.

San Jose has been playing some better hockey lately, winning two straight games and covering the puck line in each of its last four. The Sharks’ blue line is starting to play better as they rank 13th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.

On the flip side, their offense should be able to stay somewhat competitive with Florida’s, as San Jose ranks in the top half of the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ edge in net is only a slight one as both Sergei Bobrovsky and James Reimer rank in the bottom half among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60).

Florida is the better team and should win this contest, but covering the puck line may be another story. In fact, the Panthers have won by two or more goals just once over their last five games.

To top things off, superstar forward Aleksander Barkov may not be able to play for Florida due to a hand injury, which would be a big blow for them on both ends of the ice.

Best Bet: Sharks +1.5 (-125 via Caesars Sportsbook)

Calgary Flames (-150) @ Detroit Red Wings (+130) | O/U 6 (-120/+100)

We are backing another road team on Thursday as the Atlantic Division’s Detroit Red Wings host the Pacific Division’s Calgary Flames. Simply put, Calgary is better than Detroit in almost every facet of the game.

At 5-on-5, the Flames rank eighth in the league in xGF/60 and seventh in xGA/60. On the other hand, the Red Wings rank second-to-last in xGF/60 and 15th in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

Calgary is also better at the faceoff circle and on special teams. The one edge Detroit possesses in this contest is in net, as the projected goaltending matchup is Ville Husso against Jacob Markstrom.

However, like in the San Jose/Florida game, both of those guys rank in the bottom half among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5. The Flames are a better team than their record indicates, and we should expect a stronger end to their season, especially against lower-level teams like Detroit.

Best Bet: Flames ML (-150 via DraftKings Sportsbook)

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.