Top NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (3/7)
Thursday gives us a huge 12-game slate in the NHL to wager. With under two months to go until the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, teams are jostling with each other to lock up a playoff berth, while also making moves ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.
Last week, we once again managed to go just 1-2 with our best bets. William Nylander scored a goal to cash his any time goal scorer prop set at +120 against Arizona. However, the New York Islanders went into Detroit and won convincingly, pouring in three goals in the third period to seal a win in the Motor City. The other loss came with backing Matt Boldy and his any time goal scorer prop. Boldy is amongst the top scorers for Minnesota this season but the Wild were dominated in a 6-1 loss that only saw Connor Dewar light the lamp.
Our goal is always to go 3-0 with our NHL best bets, so after another comprehensive evaluation of the betting lines oddsmakers have set ahead of puck drop, NHL handicapper Matt MacKay is back with three more wagers to lay on Thursday’s loaded slate of games. Make sure to follow Matt MacKay on Twitter to get more free plays and NHL best bets.
Thursday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Washington Capitals (+140) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-170) | O/U 6.5 (+106/-130)
We’re heading to Pittsburgh and investing in the over total goals market as the Penguins prepare to host the Washington Capitals. Tristan Jarry and Darcy Kuemper are both confirmed as starting goaltenders in the crease, which means goals should be flowing early and often in this interdivisional matchup.
Jarry has surrendered at least three goals in four of his past six starts, including three in 13 minutes the last time he faced the Capitals. Kuemper, meanwhile, is just as porous, allowing three goals in four straight starts. We’re getting plus odds on over 6.5 total goals, so let’s not complicate this and stake a unit at +106 odds.
Bet: Over 6.5 Total Goals (+106)
Montreal Canadiens (+250) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (-315) | O/U 6.5 (-102/-120)
Montreal heads to Carolina after an impressive comeback win against Nashville on the road in overtime, ending the Predators’ eight-game winning streak. The Hurricanes are coming off of a 5-3 loss at home to Winnipeg and they’ve had three full days to stew on that defeat. The Canadiens are less rested and haven’t won on the road in Carolina in 10 straight appearances.
Yes, the Canadiens are good at covering the puck line as underdogs, doing so in 10 of their last 11 games after overtime, but Pyotr Kochetkov is a solid goaltender. We’re getting -126 odds on Carolina to cover the puck line at -1.5 at home, so even though trends suggest Montreal is the play, I expect the Hurricanes to come out early and dominate the ice. Let’s stake another unit on the ‘Canes at -126 odds to cover -1.5.
Bet: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (-126)
Toronto Maple Leafs (+118) vs. Boston Bruins (-142) | O/U 6.5 (+106/-130)
Finally, one of the marquee games on this loaded slate brings us to TD Garden for another rematch between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. The Bruins choked away a 1-0 lead late to Edmonton at home on Tuesday night, resulting in a 2-1 overtime loss. This should be another tight, low-scoring game reminiscent of Boston’s 4-1 win on the road against Toronto on Monday.
Seven of Boston’s past eight games at TD Garden have gone under the total goals line and now that Jeremy Swayman is back to form, holding the Maple Leafs to one goal on 33 shots during Monday’s road win, the under is enticing. Toronto’s mediocre goaltending and high-octane offense could spoil this wager, but getting the under at 6.5 instead of 5.5 makes a lot of difference. Let’s lay -130 on under 6.5 total goals with another 1 unit play to wrap up Thursday night’s NHL slate.
Bet: Under 6.5 Total Goals (-130)
Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.