Tonight's NHL slate offers us seven games to choose from, and I have picked three matchups that I feel hold the best value for NHL bettors. Check out my NHL predictions for these games, as we try to maxamize out our NHL betting payouts.
Lets check out some of tonight's biggest games and cover the NHL picks I find to have the best chance of in cashing for us as the sportsbooks.
San Jose Sharks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Odds: Sharks -120
We’re coming to a point in the season where reality has
set in. It might be hard to fathom for some people who can’t let go – us
included – but it’s time to face the music. What we’re referring to in this
case is that the Tampa Bay Lightning are simply not that good.
It’s easy to look back to last season and remember just
how good Tampa Bay was but the truth is that they aren’t the same team. Heading
into Thursday’s action, they’re just one point better than the worst team in
the conference and their -34 goal differential is actually the worst in the
East (and second worst in the NHL).
The Lightning have just two wins in their last seven and
they’re not even a reliable home bet either. They’ve lost three of their last
four at the St. Pete’s Time Forum.
The Sharks will have a huge edge in goaltending in this
contest as the Lightning’s tandem of Mathieu Garon and Dwayne Roloson is
arguably the worst in the league. Sharks netminder Antti Niemi is reliable and
had the night off in the Sharks latest contest, so he should be fresh.
The Sharks have won seven of the last eight meetings and
outscored Tampa Bay 31-13 in that span. Take them on Thursday.
NHL Picks: Sharks
Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild
NHL Odds: Over/Under 5
Both the Winnipeg Jets and Wild have been having trouble scoring
recently, so a meeting of the two minds should lead to an under. The Wild have
scored just 126 goals this season, which is second-fewest in the NHL while the
Jets are at 140, which is third-fewest in the East.
The Wild have scored just seven times in their last five
games. In Tuesday’s 2-1 home loss to the Anaheim Ducks, they only mustered 18
shots. As for the Jets, they’ve lost six of 10 and scoring has been an issue
for them all season long – particularly on the road. The Jets average just 2.16
goals per game on the road, which ranks them 24th.
Ondrej Pavelec has played well in this series, giving up
just two goals in the last two meetings. As for the Wild, one of the team’s
strengths is in net. Look for this game to go under the number.
NHL Picks: Under
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings
NHL Odds: Kings -120
The Kings are worth a shot at home as a small sports betting favorite as
they have owned the Phoenix Coyotes this season. They are 3-0-1 against the
Coyotes even though goaltender Mike Smith has played well in the series (1.64
GAA).
Los Angeles has been producing a little bit more offense
at home these days, which is a good sign. They are the lowest scoring team in
the NHL at 2.1 goals per game but they’ve now scored three or more in four of
their last six at home.
Jonathan Quick has shut out the Coyotes twice this season
while going 3-0-1 overall. Take the Kings on Thursday.
NHL Picks: Kings