Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (3/11)
The NHL has an 11-game schedule tonight, featuring a few high-leverage matchups between the Blue Jackets and the Devils, and the Lightning and the Hurricanes. I've sifted through the numbers and stats for tonight's games, and below you'll find my three favorite bets for Tuesday's action.
Tuesday's NHL Best Bets
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Ottawa Senators (-115) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (-105) | 5.5 (-108/-112)
The Senators (33-25-5) currently own the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, and they'll look to snag a couple more points tonight when they make the trip down to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers (27-30-8). This Eastern Conference matchup is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.
This feels like a no-brainer to back the Senators as they go for their fourth straight victory. They've been playing well and are in desperate need of points to keep pace in the playoff race, so why not play them at a pick 'em price?
This is mostly a fade of the Flyers, however, as they've been sliding down the standings as of late. Philadelphia has dropped its last four games (0-4-0), getting out-scored 17-6 during the sample size. They'll turn to Ivan Fedotov in net, who is just 5-10-3 with a .886 SV%. The Flyers bring in the worst team SV% (.877) in the NHL while sitting 27th in GAA (3.09). I like the Sens to outpace the Flyers in this one.
Bet: Ottawa Senators Moneyline (-115)
Columbus Blue Jackets (+136) vs. New Jersey Devils (-162) | 5.5 (-120/+100)
The Blue Jackets (31-24-8) are coming off a 7-3 rout of the Rangers on Sunday, and they'll try to keep things rolling when they take on the Devils (34-25-6) in a Metropolitan Division showdown. This pivotal matchup between playoff teams is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
It's confirmed that New Jersey will ride with Jacob Markstrom in net tonight. And while that's typically not a great sign for folks looking to fade the Devils, in his current form, it is welcomed news. Markstrom has struggled in his last three outings, going 0-3-0 with a 4.01 GAA and .850 SV%. Furthermore, New Jersey recently received an update that Jack Hughes (shoulder) is out for the rest of the season.
I think this is a great chance to lock in this under-the-radar Jackets team as sizable underdogs. They have the offensive firepower to take advantage of the slumping Markstrom, as Columbus is seventh in scoring (3.3 GPG) and fifth in shooting percentage (11.67%). The Blue Jackets are 5-2-0 in their last seven games, and I like them to stay hot tonight.
Bet: Columbus Blue Jackets Moneyline (+136)
New York Islanders (+160) vs. Los Angeles Kings (-192) | 5.5 (-102/-118)
Let's head out west for tonight's NHL nightcap, which features a cross-conference showdown between the Islanders (29-27-7) and the Kings (33-20-9). Puck drop is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
I'm riding with New York to stay under their team total of 2.5 goals tonight. The Isles have been horrendous offensively this season, ranking 28th in scoring (2.7 GPG), 30th in shooting percentage (9.36%), 29th in high-danger shots (189), and dead last on the power play (12.58%). Furthermore, they just shipped Brock Nelson, their second-best scorer (44 points), to Colorado at the deadline.
On the other hand, the Kings boast one of the better defenses in the NHL. They actually lead the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (2.66) while ranking seventh in actual GAA (2.50). They've faced the fewest high-danger shots (170) and own the 12th-best penalty-killing unit (80.92%). The Kings are also 20-3-4 at home, so look for them to take care of business in a classic low-scoring game.
Bet: New York Islanders Team Total Under 2.5 Goals (-130)