Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (11/17)
We have a loaded 13-game slate of hockey on Thursday with some great matchups. Below, I give out my three best bets for Thursday’s NHL slate.
Follow me on Twitter to get all of my plays on days without full write-ups.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Prop Bet Analyzer: View top-rated props and historical prop performance by player >>
Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (11/17)
Dallas Stars (+145) @ Florida Panthers (-170) | O/U 6.5 (-110/-110)
We have a great matchup with the Atlantic Division’s Florida Panthers hosting the Central Division’s Dallas Stars. Projected to take the crease for Dallas is goaltender Jake Oettinger, who has been tremendous between the pipes this season.
Through 10 starts, he is 6-2-1 with a .929 SV% and 2.12 GAA. Among starting goaltenders, Oettinger ranks eighth in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5v5.
Across the ice, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is slated to start between the pipes for Florida. Through nine starts this season, he is 4-4-1 with a .905 SV% and 3.14 GAA.
At 5v5, Bobrovsky ranks 14th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60. This solid play should continue against the Stars, a team he has dominated throughout his career.
In 20 career appearances against Dallas, Bobrovsky is 16-2-2 with a .932 SV% and 2.08 GAA. Playing in front of each of these two goaltenders are two strong defenses as each team ranks in the top half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5v5.
Best Bet: First Period Under 1.5 (+125)
New Jersey Devils (+125) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (-145) | O/U 6.5 (-115/-105)
We have an Eastern Conference tilt with the Atlantic Division’s Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Metropolitan Division’s New Jersey Devils. In the words of Jack Hughes, New Jersey is on an absolute “heater†right now as they enter this contest amidst a 10-game win streak.
The primary reason for this stellar play to begin the campaign has been the Devils’ electrifying and fast-paced offense. At 5v5, New Jersey ranks first in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
They now have scored four or more goals in seven of their last eight games, a trend that should continue against Toronto as Erik Kallgren is slated to start between the pipes. Through eight appearances (one in relief) in the crease this season, he is 2-2-3 with a .893 SV%.
Across Kallgren’s seven starts, opposing teams have scored four or more goals five times.
Best Bet: Devils Team Total Over 3.5 (+125)
New York Islanders (+100) @ Nashville Predators (-120) | O/U 6 (+100/-120)
Later in the night, the Central Division’s Nashville Predators host the Metropolitan Division’s New York Islanders. After winning 11 of their first 17 games to start the season, now is the time to sell high on the Islanders, especially offensively.
At 5v5, New York ranks 11th in the league in GF/60 but just 18th in xGF/60. This regression could be realized against the Predators, who are slated to start goaltender Juuse Saros between the pipes.
Through 12 starts this season, Saros possesses a .907 SV% and 3.03 GAA. While those are solid numbers, he enters this game in great form.
Over his last two starts, Saros is 2-0 with a .971 SV% and 1.00 GAA. Finally starting to find his rhythm, look for the Preds’ netminder to continue this strong stretch of goaltending on home ice against an offense primed for regression.
Best Bet: New York Islanders Team Total Under 2.5 (+120)
Best of luck!
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our How To Section — including How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Sports Betting Mistakes — or head to a more advanced strategy — like Thinking Like an Expert Sports Bettor — to learn more.
Join the BettingPros Discord Chat for Live Betting Advice >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.