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.
New York Islanders
@ Philadelphia Flyers
NHL Odds: Flyers -190
This is far too steep of a price on the Philadelphia
Flyers considering they are slumping and the New York Islanders are playing
well. The Flyers are just 3-3-2 in their last eight and will be looking to
avoid their third straight loss. The Islanders are 5-1-2 in their last eight
and have registered a point in seven straight games.
The line is this high because the Flyers had previously
dominated this series. They’ve won 26 of the last 29 meetings but the Islanders
sent a message by winning 4-1 in Philadelphia on January 19th.
With Scott Hartnell cold (no goals in five games) and a
few other Flyers are slumping. On top of that, the team is just 12-8-4 at home
this season and just 13-10 (-3.5 units) when facing a team with a losing
record. It’s a tasty price to take a flier on the Islanders.
NHL Picks: Islanders
St. Louis Blues @
Ottawa Senators
NHL Odds: Blues -120
Betting the Blues on the road hasn’t been a great
financial strategy this season (3-8 when playing on the road with a total of
five) but Tuesday could be a good spot.
The Ottawa Senators are complete wreck these days with
losses in six straight games. They’ve scored just one goal in their last two
and facing the Blues stellar goaltenders with a fading offense is not ideal.
On the season, the Blues are 9-2 versus the East and 13-3
when facing a team with a losing record. They look like a good sports betting value in
this spot and to be fair, the under looks good given how much the Senators are
struggling to score.
NHL Picks: Blues
Minnesota Wild @
Columbus Blue Jackets
NHL Odds: Wild -120
We’ll continue to ride the Wild as they’ve shown some
signs of life recently while the Columbus Blue Jackets still have no pulse.
Even though the Wild are coming off a loss, Dallas has
owned them in one of the most one-sided series in the NHL. The fact that the
Wild were even able to get to a shootout shows that they’re playing with some
pep in their step. Even with the loss, the Wild are still 3-1-1 in their last
five.
As for the Blue Jackets, they have one win in their last
seven games and are dealing with the tumultuous news that Rick Nash wants out
of Columbus. Reports surfaced on Monday that he’s not happy with the
franchise’s direction – What?!? Really?!? – and he might be seeking a trade.
This is going to be a bad couple of weeks for the Blue
Jackets as they potentially dismantle the team before the trade deadline. Bet
against them.
NHL Picks: Wild
Chicago Blackhawks
@ Colorado Avalanche
NHL Odds: Over/Under 5.5
Both the Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche have
been struggling of late and a good chunk of that has to do with goaltending.
The two teams enter Tuesday’s meeting as losers of five straight.
The Avs goaltending has been a bit better but they’ve
still allowed at least three goals in four of their last five. The Blackhawks
have been even worse as they’ve coughed up 22 goals in their last five games.
Corey Crawford has a 2.94 GAA on the season and a 2.63
GAA against the Avs for his career. Ray Emery hasn’t been much better as he has
a 2.73 GAA this season and a 5.39 GAA against the Avs.
These two teams play plenty of overs when they meet up as
four of the last five contests at the Pepsi Center have gone over the number as
have seven of the last 11 meetings overall. Look for some goals in this one as
both teams are trying to snap out of a slump.
NHL Picks: Over