Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (11/29)
The NHL is back in action tonight. We have nine games to keep an eye on. A couple of intriguing matchups stick out, with the Lightning taking on the Bruins, the Hurricanes squaring off against the Penguins, and the Kraken and Kings getting set to battle it out in a Pacific Division showdown.
Below I’ve listed my top three bets for tonight’s nine-game slate.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators
The Predators would’ve finished up their three-game homestand tonight against the Ducks, but they saw the first two games canceled last week due to a water main break at Bridgestone Arena. The restoration crews have been hard at work over the weekend, and the arena seems to be good to go for tonight’s matchup with the Ducks. This one gets underway at 8:00 p.m. ET from Nashville.
Keeping it with the flooding theme, the Ducks have struggled to keep their heads above water this season as they come in with an overall record of just 6-15-1. Over their last 10 games, they’ve collected just four points thanks to a 2-8-0 record. There’s a myriad of issues for the rough start to the season, but one stat can sum it up and place blame equally amongst the whole team: Anaheim is dead last in goal differential at -37. The next closest team is Columbus at -26. So things are going horribly in all aspects of the game for Anaheim right now.
I will fade the Ducks while they’re down and lock in Nashville on the puck line tonight. The Predators are 4-2-0 over their last six games, and they’ve been showing signs of improvement after a slow start to the new campaign. They’ll likely go with Juuse Saros tonight, and while he’s just 7-6-2, he has a respectable 3.06 GAA and a .905 SV%. He should have no issues shutting down this Anaheim side that ranks 31st in goals per game (2.5 gpg).
Bet: Nashville Predators -1.5 (+110 via DraftKings)
Florida Panthers vs. Calgary Flames
The Panthers were on the wrong side of a 4-3 overtime loss last night when they took on the Oilers in Edmonton. It was the first of a five-game road trip featuring matchups with the four Western-most Canadian teams, and a trip to Seattle jammed in there as well. They’ll make the short trip down Highway 2 in Alberta to take on the Flames on the second night of a back-to-back scenario. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET from the Saddledome.
Neither of these teams is playing great hockey right now, as Florida’s just 2-3-3 over their last eight games, while Calgary is 2-4-0 over their last six. Something has to give tonight, and I’m going to ride with the Panthers on the plus-money payout. For starters, in my opinion, this simply seems like the better value play, considering these teams are about equal in terms of talent and record. Any time that you get two similar teams that aren’t playing well, it’s worth thinking about taking a shot with the underdog.
Now, from a hockey standpoint, I don’t have much faith in the Flames this year after losing Johnny Gaudreau and sending Matthew Tkachuk to Florida. While Jonathan Huberdeau is a great piece to get back, his elite passing doesn’t matter if nobody puts the puck in the net. Their lack of offense has shown up on the stat sheet as Calgary comes in with the 23rd-ranked offense (2.9 gpg), and they’re 24th on the power play (19.70%). Ultimately, I expect another high-scoring affair tonight in Alberta, and I will roll with the better offense in the Panthers.
Bet: Florida Panthers Moneyline (+130 via DraftKings)
Washington Capitals vs. Vancouver Canucks
Long gone are the days when you could simply pencil the Capitals in for a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division. With the Devils, Hurricanes, Islanders, and Rangers all on the rise, Washington will be lucky to find themselves in the playoff hunt as we get deeper into the season. As for the Canucks, they’re still not much of a force in the Pacific, as they come in at 9-10-3. This cross-conference clash gets underway tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET from Rogers Arena.
Vancouver’s riding a hot streak right now, as they’ve won five out of their last six games. They start a four-game homestand tonight, and the tides could be turning for a team with moderately high expectations coming into the year. I will lock in the Canucks on the moneyline tonight as they go for their fourth straight win.
This is just as much of a fade of the Capitals, who are just 2-4-1 over their last seven games. Over the stretch, they’ve been outscored 27-16, and things aren’t clicking for them this year. Let’s lock in the Canucks as a slight favorite tonight at home. Vancouver brings in the seventh-ranked offense (3.6 gpg), and fifth-ranked power play (28.57%), and they have plenty of speed to earn the two points tonight.
Bet: Vancouver Canucks Moneyline (-120 via DraftKings)
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