Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (10/21)
We have a small three-game slate of hockey on Friday with some intriguing matchups as the season continues to get underway. Below, I give out my three best bets for Friday’s NHL slate.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (10/21)
Tampa Bay Lightning (-115) @ Florida Panthers (-105) | O/U 6.5 (-130/+110)
We have an intrastate battle between two Atlantic Division teams as the Florida Panthers host the Tampa Bay Lightning to kick off Friday’s slate. These two teams love to play at a fast pace that should lead to a high-shooting, high-scoring affair.
This game script is baked into the total, which is juiced heavily on the over and probably lands at seven by puck drop. We will target one player specifically to go over his shot total, Steven Stamkos.
Stamkos has had a Hart Trophy-caliber start to the season, as he has logged six goals and one assist through the first four games. Recording at least four shots on goal (SOG) in all four of those games, this matchup should be a great opportunity for that trend to continue.
To start the year, Florida is allowing 32 SOG per game. Travis Konecny and David Pastrnak each recorded six or more SOG against Florida over the last two games, and Stamkos will play a role in the offense similar to each of those forwards.
Best Bet: Steven Stamkos Over 3.5 SOG
Detroit Red Wings (-125) @ Chicago Blackhawks (+105) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
The second game features the Central Division’s Chicago Blackhawks and the Atlantic Division’s Detroit Red Wings. While the Red Wings have started the year 2-0-1, their underlying metrics suggest regression is looming.
At 5v5, Detroit ranks just 23rd in the league in expected goals per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 27th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Meanwhile, Chicago’s defense has been surprisingly strong and could get even stronger with the possible return of Jake McCabe, a strong stay-at-home defenseman who missed the start of the year with a neck injury.
Backing up this defense is goaltender Alex Stalock, who was outstanding in his season debut against the Vegas Golden Knights as he stopped 36 of 37 shots for a .973 SV%. In his one career start against the Red Wings, Stalock is 1-0 with a .962 SV% while allowing just one goal.
Additionally, the Blackhawks enter this contest on five days of rest, which is an absurdly long time to rest and prepare for an opponent during the season. Over the last 10 meetings between these two clubs, Chicago is 7-3 straight up.
Best Bet: Chicago Blackhawks ML (+105)
Seattle Kraken (+220) @ Colorado Avalanche (-275) | O/U 6.5 (-130/+110)
We have a Western Conference tilt for Friday’s nightcap as the Central Division’s Colorado Avalanche hosts the Pacific Division’s Seattle Kraken. Like the Tampa Bay/Florida matchup, oddsmakers peg this game to be high-scoring, with the total set at 6.5 and the juice heavily shaded on the over.
However, we will specifically target the Seattle Kraken to score just one goal in the first period. Seattle has scored at least one goal in the first 20 minutes in three of their first five games, while Colorado has allowed their opposition to score at least one first-period goal in all four of their games this year.
Seattle has a revamped top-six with the acquisitions of Oliver Bjorkstrand and Andre Burakovsky. With Matty Beniers and Jared McCann already there as well, this team has a legit scoring operation brewing with some talented playmakers.
At 5v5, the Kraken ranks 12th in the league in xGF/60. Meanwhile, goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is projected to take the crease for Colorado and has not been the sharpest to start the year.
Through three starts, he possesses a .893 SV% and 3.00 GAA.
Best Bet: Seattle Kraken 1P TT Over 0.5 (-140)
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.