Let's break down some key matchups today in the NHL. Below are our top NHL picks & predictions for Saturday, February 28th.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Pittsburgh Penguins (-130) at New York Rangers (+110) | O/U 6.5 (-130/+110)
The Penguins went into the Olympic break on an excellent run - 7-1-1 in their final nine games. There was no rust in their return with a dominant 4-1 win over the Devils. Can they sustain this level of play without Sidney Crosby, who suffered a lower-body injury during the Olympics and will miss the next four weeks? The Metropolitan Division race is very close, with Pittsburgh holding a one-point lead over the Islanders for second in the division.
The Rangers may be a division rival, but they are no threat to the playoff standings. It is a disappointing season for the Blueshirts, whose 51 points are the fewest in the Eastern Conference. Their offense has been dreadful, ranking 27th in goals scored per game (2.60).
Even without Crosby, the Penguins should not have a problem out-pacing a Rangers team that struggles to score.
Pick: Penguins Moneyline (-130)
Edmonton Oilers (-162) at San Jose Sharks (+136) | O/U 6.5 (-135/+114)
It's been a tough season for the Oilers, failing to find consistency through the first half of the year, but through all of that, they are second in the Pacific Division. However, there is little margin for error since four teams are within seven points.
The Oilers still have one of the top offenses in the league, ranking third in goals scored per game (3.52) and seventh in expected goals shared at full strength (51.67%). Their problem this year, like it has been the last couple of seasons, is their goaltending. They tried to rectify it by trading Stuart Skinner to the Penguins for Tristan Jarry in a goalie swap, but while Stuart is excelling in Pittsburgh, Jarry might have lost his job due to poor performance.
The Sharks' goaltending isn't any better, ranking 30th with 3.50 goals allowed per game. Whether it's Yaroslav Askarov or Alex Nedeljkovic, neither has found stability. What's keeping this team in contention is their offense, specifically Macklin Celebrini.
The 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick just made his presence known on the world stage with Team Canada at the Olympics, but he's been showcasing his skills all season, ranking fifth in the league in points (81). Unfortunately, he doesn't have much support around him, as the next player on the team only has 39 points.
The previous matchup saw the total go over. With each team’s lack of defense, look for another higher-scoring game.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-135)
