Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (3/5)
The NHL best bets articles have gone well this week, as we're off to a 5-2 start through the first half of the week. Below, I've listed three more NHL bets, which stem from tonight's eight-game slate on the ice. Let's keep it rolling as we approach the weekend.
Thursday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Toronto Maple Leafs (-105) vs. New York Rangers (-115) | O/U 5.5 (-135/+114)
Let's pick it up in the Big Apple, where we have an original six showdown between the Maple Leafs (27-24-11) and the Rangers (23-29-8). Both teams are slumping right now, as they're a combined 5-11-4 across their last 10 games each. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York, NY.
While neither of these squads are playing well currently, it just makes no sense to me that the Rangers are favorites in this matchup. They've been sliding horrendously, going just 3-11-3 across their last 20 games. They just traded leading scorer Artemi Panarin (57 points) to the Kings, while also adding J.T. Miller (38 points) to injured reserve with an upper-body injury. This team is falling apart at the seams, which is apparent when you look at how unimpressive their lines are.
The Maple Leafs still have the two best players on the ice in Auston Matthews (52 points) and William Nylander (57 points). Toronto has also dominated this series in recent history, going 4-1 SU in the last five meetings. The Leafs should be able to stifle this short-handed Rangers side, which is just 24th in goals per 60 minutes (2.35) over the last 10 games. Give me Toronto in what the betting market says is a coin flip game.
Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline (-105)
Tampa Bay Lightning (-185) vs. Winnipeg Jets (+154) | O/U 5.5 (-125/+105)
After an insane 20-1-1 stretch of play, the Lightning (38-17-4) appear to be cooling off, having lost three straight games. They'll try to bounce back when they take on the Jets (24-26-10) tonight in the Great White North. This cross-conference clash gets underway at 8:00 p.m. ET from the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB.
Andrei Vasilevskiy's Vezina Trophy campaign has taken a hit since the Olympic break ended, as he's been lit up for nine combined goals by the Sabres (L: 6-2) and the Wild (L: 5-1), more recently. However, I think Vasilevskiy and the Tampa Bay defense settle in nicely and rebound against this lowly Winnipeg offense tonight. I'll take the Jets to stay under their team total of 2.5 goals.
Winnipeg has been struggling offensively, ranking 27th in goals per 60 minutes (2.25) over the last 10 games. During the same 10-game span, the Jets are 29th in shooting percentage (8.13%) and 27th in Goals% (41.07%). Winnipeg is also just 23rd on the Power Play this season at 18.34%, and they'll be trying to score on Tampa's fifth-ranked penalty-killing unit (82.98%). I don't anticipate the Jets righting the ship offensively in this matchup, so give me their team total to stay under.
Pick: Winnipeg Jets Team Total Under 2.5 Goals (-120)
Ottawa Senators (-162) vs. Calgary Flames (+136) | O/U 5.5 (-105/-115)
The Flames (24-29-7) have lost three consecutive games, and they're moderate +136 underdogs tonight when they host the Senators (29-22-9). The Sens are also looking to rebound, after coughing up a two-goal lead and losing a 5-4 overtime game against the Oilers on Tuesday. Puck drop is slated for 9:00 p.m. ET from the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB.
I'll also take the Flames to stay under their team total tonight. Calgary's offense has been horrendous all season, and it certainly hasn't improved since the front office decided to sell off their top players. The latest Flame to go was defenseman MacKenize Weegar (traded to UTAH), who was the top-scoring defenseman since Rasmus Andersson's departure (traded to VGK) in January.
Calgary's offense has completely stalled. Over the last 10 games, the Flames are 31st in goals per 60 minutes (2.07) and shooting percentage (6.98%), while ranking 24th in high-danger shots on goal (29). They're now 30th on the Power Play at 16.11%.
The Senators haven't gotten great goaltending this season, but the defense in front has been solid. Ottawa has allowed the fewest high-danger shots on goal (165) and ranks second in expected goals against per 60 minutes (2.64). The Sens should shut down this Flames side, which has scored two or fewer goals in eight of its last 12 games.
Pick: Calgary Flames Team Total Under 2.5 Goals (-110)