Top NHL Betting Picks for Friday, March 18th (2022)
We have a great six-game slate of hockey Friday with some great matchups. There are plenty of betting angles to attack as I give out my best bets below.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Philadelphia Flyers (+100) vs. Ottawa Senators (-120), o/u 6.5
The Metropolitan Division’s eighth-place Philadelphia Flyers travel to Ottawa to take on the Atlantic Division’s seventh-place Ottawa Senators. This is the second meeting between these two teams this season as the Flyers won the first matchup 4-3 at home.
I like the Senators to get their revenge on home ice in this matchup as the Flyers will most likely be in an emotional let-down spot on the second half of a back-to-back. Thursday night’s game against the Predators was the last outing for Claude Giroux, an emotional night where the Flyers played inspired for the first time in months.
With Giroux being held out of this matchup as he is about to be traded, the Flyers lose another key piece of an already vulnerable lineup. Even if Giroux was playing I would like Ottawa at home in this matchup, now they are a must-play at this price.
Philadelphia is an abysmal 0-10 over their last 10 games when priced as a road underdog. Since they are playing on the second half of a back-to-back, we should expect to see backup goaltender Martin Jones between the pipes for the Flyers.
Over his last five road starts, Jones is 0-5 with a 0.871 save percentage. Ottawa is a tough and gritty team and should be able to handle a fragile Philadelphia group that has struggled immensely away from home this season.
Best Bet: Ottawa Senators ML (-120)
Boston Bruins (-125) vs. Winnipeg Jets (+110), o/u 6
I like another favorite tonight as the Atlantic Division’s fourth-place Boston Bruins travel to Winnipeg to take on the Central Division’s sixth-place Jets. This is the second meeting between these two teams this season as the Bruins won the first matchup 3-2 back in January.
The Bruins’ victory was their third straight over the Jets and seventh over their last 10 meetings. I think the Bruins continue this trend, primarily due to the fact that Jeremy Swayman is the projected starting goaltender.
Swayman has solidified himself as the Bruins’ number one goaltender this season with his stellar play, which does not miss a beat when playing on the road. Over his last eight road starts, Swayman is 6-1-1 with an outstanding 0.945 save percentage.
These numbers are a stark contrast to Connor Hellebuyck’s recent form, who is the projected starting goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets. Over his last five home starts, Hellebuyck has posted a mere 0.876 save percentage.
Best Bet: Boston Bruins ML (-125)
Best of luck!
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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.