It’s the final day of the NHL regular season, and all the playoff spots are settled. That doesn’t mean some of the teams not playing in the postseason won’t go all out to wrap up their year. Let’s break down today’s NHL action and hand out a couple of same-game parlays (SGPs) featuring our top NHL betting picks and props.
Thursday’s Best NHL Same Game Parlay Bets
(NHL odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres
- Leg 1: Sabres Moneyline (-166)
- Leg 2: Tage Thompson Anytime Goalscorer (+115)
- Leg 3: Sabres Team Total Over 3.5 Goals (-120)
Inconsistency was the theme of the Sabres’ season. Just take the past couple of weeks; they went on a 7-1-0 run and followed that up with 0-3-1. It is unfortunate because there is a lot of talent, with guys like Tage Thompson having 44 goals. The team is tenth in goals scored per game (3.21). If Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could have matched his 2.57 goals allowed last season instead of his current 3.20, this team would be in the playoffs.
The Flyers were a disaster from Day 1. There was no offensive or defensive consistency, and tension in the locker room with head coach John Torterella boiled over, resulting in his firing with a month left in the season.
The Sabres could end this season on a high note.
Parlay Odds: +234
Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs
- Leg 1: Over 5.5 Goals (-130)
- Leg 2: Both Teams To Score 2+ Goals (-195)
- Leg 3: Lucas Raymond 1+ Points (-135)
- Leg 4: Dylan Larkin 3+ Shots On Goal (+105)
The Red Wings were another team with a lot of potential, but they weren't consistent enough to become a playoff contender. They have a lot of offensive talent, like Dylan Larkin, who had his fourth straight 30-goal season, and Lucas Raymond, who had a career-best 80 points. However, like in the previous year, the problem was the goaltending, as they were 20th in goals allowed per game. That's something they should address in the offseason.
The question about the Maple Leafs is whether they can make a run in the playoffs. They have won one playoff series in the last 20 years, and this might be the final time they make a run with this group of players. When they get ready for their series, you won't see much playing time from their top players, so look for the deeper lines to get more ice time.
Parlay Odds: +370
New York Islanders at Columbus Blue Jackets
- Leg 1: Blue Jackets -1.5 (+140)
- Leg 2: Blue Jackets Team Total Over 3.5 Goals (-120)
There weren't high expectations for the Blue Jackets coming into this season, so for them to be in the playoff hunt till the end is great, especially when they finished with the fewest points in the Eastern Conference a year ago. The offense was fantastic this season, being ninth in goals scored per game (3.22), with Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli scoring 30 goals, and Zach Werenski with 22 as a defenseman.
The Islanders could be changing a lot of things in the offseason. It's been a few years since they've been a contender, and they will miss the playoffs for the second time in four seasons. Their defense has usually anchored the team, but it took a big step back and is 19th in goals allowed (3.10), and that's not good when you have Patrick Roy as your coach.
Parlay Odds: +166
