NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (3/22)
Let's break down some key matchups today in the NHL. Below are our top NHL picks & predictions for Sunday, March 22nd.
Sunday's NHL Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Buffalo Sabres (-108) at Anaheim Ducks (-112) | O/U 6.5 (-120/+100)
The Sabres are on the path to ending their 14-year playoff drought and are the hottest team in the league. They have won 12 of their last 13 games, and since February 25, they are second in the league in goals scored per game (3.85) and goals allowed per game (1.92).
What makes them a potentially dangerous team in the playoffs is that it's not just one player opponents need to watch; they have four players with 20 or more goals this season.
The Ducks are another surprising team this season. After spending the last few years at the bottom, they currently have a three point lead in the Pacific.
They are a great offense, ranking 12th in goals per game (3.20), 11th in full-strength expected goal percentage (51.1 percent), and they are getting a breakout from Cutter Gauthier, whose 36 goals are ninth in the league.
The problem that could prevent them from making a playoff run is inconsistency in goaltending. Goalie Lukas Dostal can be brilliant at times, but those moments feel few and far between, and while he's coming off allowing one goal to Utah, he allowed a total of 11 in the three previous games.
Pick: Sabres Moneyline (-108)
Tampa Bay Lightning (-175) at Calgary Flames (+145) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-120)
It wasn't too long ago when the Lightning were the best team in the league, earning points in 15 straight games, but then they struggled. They are coming in 5-7-0 in their last 12. This allowed the Buffalo Sabres to overtake them for first place in the Atlantic Division.
Their problem is inconsistencies on both sides of the ice. The offense can look great on certain nights, but it struggles on others. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has logged the fourth-most minutes in the league, has not performed well during this run, posting a .888 save percentage in his last ten games.
Vasilevsky was in the net the night before against the Oilers, so it will likely be Jonas Johansson, who has been terrible recently, allowing 20 goals in his last four games.
Calgary is not a great offensive team, but they can score at times and have put up 15 goals in their last five games. They also have the rest advantage going into this game, so put the Bolts on upset alert.
Pick: Flames Moneyline (+145)