NHL Parlay Picks: Week 8 (2019)
It was an eventful past week in the hockey world. The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Mike Babcock in the midst of a six-game losing streak. This will hopefully spark a talented Leafs roster to play much better and improve their morale in the locker room. A change was needed, as the Leafs have disappointed in several aspects of their game. Newly appointed coach Sheldon Keefe has his work cut out for him.
The biggest surprise this year has certainly been the New York Islanders. They have gone 9-0-1 in their last ten games, and they have started the first quarter of the season with a 15-3-1 record. While they don’t play an exciting brand of hockey, they know how to win. Their defense and goaltending have carried them to another solid year, as they are currently allowing the fewest goals in the NHL with 46.
Connor McDavid has 12 points in his last three games, and the Oilers continue to play great hockey. They are tied for first in the West with the Blues, and it is a great bounce-back season after a disastrous year. Captain Jamie Benn has helped get the Stars back on track after a slow start. In their last ten games, the Stars have gone 8-1-1 and look like a completely different team.
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Bests Bets of the Weekend
Chicago Blackhawks at Dallas Stars (Saturday, 8 PM)
This will be the third game of four straight at home for Dallas, as they returned from their west-coast road trip last Sunday. They are playing the best hockey of their season, and they have gone 6-3-1 at home. Ben Bishop has provided some excellent goaltending for the Stars of late, winning four of his last five starts with only seven goals allowed combined. The Blackhawks have played much better hockey of late but have a losing record on the road (3-4-1). I like the Stars to keep their momentum going at home Saturday night.
The Pick: Dallas Stars, Moneyline
Minnesota Wild at Boston Bruins (Saturday, 7:30 PM)
The Boston Bruins are still undefeated at home with a 7-0-4 record. Star forward David Pastrnak is on an absolute tear with 10 power-play goals. The Wild are 4-10-0 on the road this year, and they will be in a tough spot as they travel to Boston on Saturday night. Their plus 21 goal-differential proves that the Bruins are playing well on both offense and defense. They are in fine form and should take the W on Saturday night.
The Pick: Boston Bruins, Puckline
Anaheim Ducks at Tampa Bay Lightning (Saturday, 4 PM)
It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows this year for the Lightning after a record-setting 2018-19 season. They are off to a 9-7-2 start, and now they could be without star Nikita Kucherov with an upper-body injury. Despite the injury, they are still one of the deepest teams in the league, and I expect them to pick it up shortly. They are in a good spot team against a Ducks team that really struggles on offense. Anaheim is 25th in goals per game, 30th in shots per game, and they rank 30th in power-play percentage. The Lightning should be able to generate some offense and get the win at home on Saturday night.
The Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning, Moneyline
Toronto Maple Leafs at Colorado Avalanche (Saturday, 7 PM)
The Avalanche have quietly been one of the NHL’s most consistent hockey clubs this season. They are off to a 13-6-2 start, sitting third in the West with 28 points. Toronto comes to town in the middle of some turmoil and new coaching changes. They will likely be getting used to some new systems, and they certainly have not been good on the road (3-7-0). The Avs are great in their home barn (6-2-1) and should keep things rolling Saturday. Nazem Kadri will be fired up to play against his old team, and I expect an intense hockey game.
The Pick: Colorado Avalanche, Moneyline
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Nic Turner is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Nic, check out his archive and follow him @sportzbandit.