Hockey season is back, and things are already getting exciting at the start of the NHL season. There are a few intriguing matchups early on, so let's look at the games to target.
Sunday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Tampa Bay Lightning (+114) at Winnipeg Jets (-135) | O/U 6 (-118/-102)
The Jets are the top team in the league, leading the way with 20 points. The offense plays a huge role, as their 4.87 GPG is also the best. Kyle Connor missed 17 games last season but still led the team with 62 points. The team’s problem last year was the offense, but if Connor can stay healthy, he can score 80 points.
The Lightning can compete with them on offense with 3.82 goals per game. While the Jets have Connor as their top playmaker, Nikita Kucherov is that for the Bolts and has identical stats with nine goals and nine assists.
The exciting part is, with how great the offenses are, they also have two of the best goalies in the game. Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy are a matchup you would love to see in the Stanley Cup Finals, but take the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and his offense for the win.
Pick: Jets Moneyline (-135)
Washington Capitals (+190) at Carolina Hurricanes (-230) | O/U 6 (-115/-105)
Last season, the Capitals were barely a playoff team, but this team looks different. They can score and have six players with four goals, including Alex Ovechkin, who has four in his last three games, and Connor McMichael, who's having a breakout season.
With Logan Thompson playing yesterday, Charles Lindgren will be between the pipes. Lindgren has been better, with a 2.62 GAA compared to Thompson’s 3.21.
The Hurricanes are two points behind, and a win would tie it up. This is one of the most formidable offenses to compete against, even though they don't have the most goals. They lead with a 62.9% expected goal rate and will wear a defense down.
What makes them great is that they are a well-balanced team. They also play excellent defense and are skilled at achieving expected goals.
The Capitals are in first, and with the better-performing goalie, they could keep this game close.
Pick: Capitals +1.5 (-135)
