NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (3/3)
We're entering the final quarter of the 2025-26 NHL season. Teams have roughly 20 games remaining on the schedule. Tuesday's slate features 11 matchups, including marquee clashes between the Senators and the Oilers and the Lightning and the Wild.
I've got you covered from a sports betting angle Tuesday night. Below, I'll dive into three of the games from a sports betting perspective, laying out my top NHL picks & predictions in the process.
Tuesday’s NHL Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Chicago Blackhawks (+134) vs. Winnipeg Jets (-162) | O/U 5.5 (-118/-104)
The playoffs aren't in the cards for either of these teams, as they're each sitting at least 10 points outside of the final Wild Card spot. However, only one point separates the Blackhawks (23-28-9) and Jets (23-26-10), so there's a chance this Central Division tilt will be an exciting one. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB.
I'll play the under in this divisional game. Winnipeg has stifled Chicago's offense in recent head-to-head games, limiting them to 1.90 goals per game across the last 10 meetings. This has translated to a profitable run on under bets, with the under cashing in eight of the last 11 head-to-head contests. Keeping it with the trends, the under is 5-2 in the Jets' last seven games, while going 5-1 in the Blackhawks' last six outings.
Furthermore, neither offense has been in great form recently. Over the last 10 games, the Blackhawks are 29th in goals per 60 minutes (2.16) and 28th in high-danger shots on goal (25), while the Jets are 31st (2.05) and 29th (24) in those respective categories. Each team's power-play unit also ranks in the bottom third of the league overall this season. Finally, one spot where Chicago has flourished this season has been on the penalty kill, where they lead the league at 85.71%. Give me the under.
Bet: Under 5.5 Goals (-104)
Ottawa Senators (+110) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-132) | O/U 6.5 (-112/-110)
The Oilers (29-24-8) occupy the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, yet they're also only four points out of the Pacific Division lead. There's great parity out west this season. As for the Senators (29-22-8), they're five points behind the Bruins for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. This cross-conference clash gets underway at 9:00 p.m. ET from Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
I have wagers on the side and the total in this game. Let's start with the side, where I think it's worth a flier to back the Sens as +110 underdogs. They may be on the outside looking in in terms of the playoff race, but Ottawa is actually one of two teams out of the postseason race (Washington, +11) with a positive goal differential (+9).
The underlying metrics point to the Senators being a very dangerous team, as they're the fourth-ranked club in terms of xGoals% (54.41%). They've simply been hindered by some injuries, as well as being on the wrong side of bad puck luck.
Against this Edmonton defense that cannot get a save to, well, save its season, I think we should play both Ottawa to win, as well as the over. The Oilers have been horrendous defensively, ranking 26th in goals allowed per 60 minutes (3.3) and 28th in team SV% (.877).
Both penalty-killing units have also been a weakness this season. The Oilers rank 26th on the penalty kill at 76.92%, while the Senators are 30th at 73.10%. On the flip side, Edmonton leads the NHL on the man advantage at 32.34%, while Ottawa isn't far behind them in eighth place at 23.56%.
With the way these teams stack up statistically, we should have no problem hitting the magical 3-3 mark, which means we'll eventually clear the 6.5-goal total. But I won't be surprised if this ends up being a crazy 5-4 or 6-5 final.
Bets: Over 6.5 Goals (-112) & Senators Moneyline (+110)
Montreal Canadiens (-137) vs. San Jose Sharks (+114) | O/U 6.5 (-115/-105)
This should be a fun matchup to close out the night, as a couple of up-and-coming squads battle it out for critical points. The Canadiens (33-17-9) are currently in a playoff position, while the hosting Sharks (29-25-4) are not. Puck drop is slated for 10:00 p.m. ET from the SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA.
The Canadiens have been one of the best over teams in the NHL this season, seeing 36 of their 59 games (61%) finish north of the projected total. They're currently on an 8-4 run to the over in their last 12 contests, while having both of their games since the Olympic break go over the number. As for the Sharks, they're on a 10-4 run to the over in their last 14 home games.
The reason for all of the overs is quite simple, as these are two of the most skilled offenses in the NHL. Montreal is currently ranked fourth in goals per 60 minutes (3.43) and first in shooting rate (13.32%), while San Jose is 18th (3.01) and seventh (11.76%), respectively.
The Sharks lag in goals per 60 minutes mainly because they're not getting a ton of offensive looks. However, they should have plenty of decent chances tonight, considering the Habs are 25th in high-danger shots on goal allowed (215). Let's play the over in this battle of sharp-shooting offenses.
Bet: Over 6.5 Goals (-115)