NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (4/13)
With just a couple of games left, there are still some playoff spots and seeding to settle. Let’s break down a couple of games and give you our best NHL bets for Sunday, April 13.
Sunday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Columbus Blue Jackets (+136) at Washington Capitals (-162) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
The Capitals have nothing to play for, as they have locked up the top seed in the Eastern Conference. That reflected how much ice time players got in the last game against the Blue Jackets. Their top line played fewer shifts, neither of the regular goalies played, and neither did Alex Ovechkin.
While the Capitals have nothing to play for, the Blue Jackets are playing for their postseason lives. They took advantage of a short-handed Washington lineup and powered through a 7-0 win. It will not be easy, as they are five points behind the Canadiens, and a win from Montreal would eliminate Columbus.
Expect the same effort from the Caps today, which will help Columbus keep a little bit of life.
Pick: Blue Jackets Moneyline (+136)
San Jose Sharks (+245) at Calgary Flames (-305) | O/U 5.5 (-135/+114)
The race for the Wild Card spots in the West is down to three teams. The Flames are three points behind the Wild and Blues for a postseason spot. All three of Calgary's next opponents have nothing to play for, which could mean they have a chance to steal a spot. Their defense has been great the last few games, especially the goaltending. Dustin Wolf has allowed two or fewer goals in four of his previous six games, while the blue line has allowed fewer than 28 shots in five of the previous eight games.
They face the worst team in the league, the Sharks, who have gained just two points in their last nine games. They have allowed four or more goals in five games and scored less than three in six. The Flames could continue to stay alive with a win.
Pick: Flames -1.5 (-112)
Buffalo Sabres (+23o) at Tampa Bay Lightning (-285) | O/U 6.5 (-118/-102)
The Lightning are in the playoffs, but there is still potential to move up in the Atlantic standings. They lost earlier this week to Toronto, which made it tougher, but they are still four points behind with three games to go. They play Buffalo again after suffering a 3-2 shootout loss earlier this week. The Sabres are hot as they end their season on 8-2-1. There's a ton of talent on offense, with Tage Thompson scoring 41 goals and Alex Tuch having 34, and if they had consistency at goaltending, they could have been in the playoffs.
Both sides have a lot of talent on offense, and although the last game went under six goals, this game could soar toward the Over with the both offenses’ scoring ability.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-118)