NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (3/14)
Let's break down some key matchups today in the NHL. Below are our top NHL picks & predictions for Saturday, March 14th.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Toronto Maple Leafs (+190) at Buffalo Sabres (-230) | O/U 6.5 (-115/-105)
The Sabres' eight-game winning streak was snapped on Thursday against the Capitals, but this is still a team that looks great. They have completely changed the trajectory of this franchise, and their NHL-longest 14-year playoff drought looks like it is over. After a terrible 11-14-1 start to the season, they are 26-6-2 since. They earned a league-best 60 points during that span.
Buffalo could be a tough team to take down during the playoffs because they're playing well on both sides of the ice, leading the league with 2.57 goals allowed since December 9th, and ranking second in goals scored per game (3.86).
It looks like the Maple Leafs are waving the white flag. It's been a disastrous season for Toronto. They unfortunately went on an extended losing streak multiple times, including a six-game stretch in which they picked up only one point. Toronto recently earned only two points in eight games.
Toronto’s big problem is that they do not have a goalie it can depend on, ranking 27th in goals allowed per game (3.48). There's a slight regression from the offense, which was expected after losing Mitch Marner, who led the team with 102 points last season. They dropped from seventh in goals scored per game to 15th.
The Maple Leafs will finish the season without captain Auston Matthews because of a knee injury.
Pick: Sabres -1.5 (+102)
San Jose Sharks (+145) at Montreal Canadiens (-175) | O/U 6.5 (-122/+102)
These two teams are fighting for a playoff position, and we saw that in their last matchup.
The Sharks could finally be back in the postseason after spending recent years at the bottom. They are currently just one point behind the Los Angeles Kings for the final Wild Card spot in the playoffs.
San Jose’s offense will be their leading force, and that will most likely come from Macklin Celebrini. The former No. 1 overall pick is having a breakthrough season, ranking fifth with 91 points and recording a point in seven straight games.
The Canadiens are sitting in third place in the Atlantic Division, but the Red Wings are only three points behind, and the Bruins are four back, each of whom owns a Wild Card position, so a playoff spot is not secure.
This is a team that will lead with their offense, ranking second in scoring (3.53) per game. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are great leaders on the top lines, and they finally have support, but there's also offensive depth with 10 players recording double-digit goals.
Each team lacks defense, and we saw that in their previous matchup, that 12 featured 12 total goals.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-122)