NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (2/9)
We are wrapping up the first half of the NHL season, as it’s the last day before the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.. There are two matchups today and we’ll give you the best bets for both.
Sunday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Utah Hockey Club (+180) at Washington Capitals (-218) | O/U 5.5 (-115/-105)
As we head into the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Capitals have solidified themselves as one of the top teams and biggest surprises of the season. Last season, they made it into the playoffs on the last weekend of action, but now they have a chance to be a top seed and win the Presidents' Trophy.
What gives this team the best chances is that they've been dominant on both sides of the ice. They are second in goals scored (3.56) and allowed (2.46). We are seeing how deep this roster is because they were winning even with Dylan Strome struggling. He went six games without a point. Now he has six points in the last five games.
It wasn't a terrible first half for Utah, and they are only six points from a playoff spot. They don't have much success in terms of goals scored, but the metrics show they could get better, thanks to a 51.32% Fenwick rate (10th) and a 50.42% expected goal rate (15th).
While Utah does have the potential to put up a lot of goals, Washington does that on almost a nightly basis. Washington already has a big 6-2 win against Utah this season.
Pick: Capitals -1.5 (+120)
Tampa Bay Lightning (-162) at Montreal Canadiens (+136) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
It's been an up-and-down season for the Lightning, but through it all, they are third in the Atlantic Division. The offense has been the driving force, ranking third in goals scored (3.49 goals per game). They have six players with at least 40 points, including Nikita Kucherov, who was last year's points leader. He could accomplish the feat again this season, as he is third in the league with 82 points.
The net is protected by Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is having another fantastic year with a 2.30 GAA and he is 10th with 12.6 goals saved above expected. The bad news is that he will not be between the pipes today after playing on Saturday. It could be Jonas Johansson, but he's been dealing with a lower-body injury, so they could have a call-up in net.
The roller coaster ride season can also apply to the Canadiens, but it does look like they could contend for a playoff spot for the first time in a long time. They are limping into the break and are 1-6-1 in their last eight.
The offense that finally showed up during their hot streak has become non-existent. Over this eight-game span, they have averaged 1.87 goals scored per game and a 47.1% Corsi rate.
The Habs have had success against the Bolts with two wins. With questions at goalie, this could help spark the offense.
Pick: Canadiens Moneyline (+136)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday: