NHL Picks, Tips and Predictions for Today

Hockey picks for Saturday including two on one game!

Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens

NHL Odds: Canadiens -130 

As much as the Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled recently, the Montreal Canadiens shouldn’t be laying -130 against anyone. Even if they were facing the Edina Hawks without Adam Banks, I wouldn’t be laying -130.

The Canadiens have just two wins in their last seven and both came via shootout. To say that they’re barely scraping by is an understatement. Not that the Maple Leafs have been doing much better – they’ve lost 10 of 11, including a 5-0 loss to Montreal on February 11^th – but at least you don’t have to lay any juice with them.

This is a rivalry game and anything can happen. The Leafs have more on the line and while that might not necessarily mean much, the Habs are in fact the worst team in the conference and have in fact won just 12 home games this season (in 34 tries). That’s the fewest in the conference and one better than the worst in the NHL. This game should be a pick, so we’ll take the value with Toronto. 

NHL Picks: Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens (Second pick)

NHL Odds: Over/Under 5.5 

One of the reasons to like the Maple Leafs is because Saturday’s contest should be back-and-forth with plenty of scoring. Neither team has been the recipient of quality defense or goaltending, which should push this game over the number. 

The Habs have the better netminder in Carey Price but he’s given up at least three goals in seven of his last eight starts. Meanwhile, the Leafs goaltenders have been brutal as James Reimer has a 4.37 GAA in his last four starts – all losses – while Jonas Gustavsson has lost five straight while posting a 3.76 GAA. If the Leafs general manager thinks one of these two are his goaltender of the future, then he should be considered delusional.

With the over actually being the underdog in this equation, this is a good play.

NHL Picks: Over

St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks

NHL Odds: Over/Under 5

Under seems to be a consistently logical play to go with whenever considering a contest involving the St. Louis Blues but that could even be more so the case on Saturday in San Jose.

The Blues have shutout the San Jose Sharks in each of the last two meetings and it might not matter who starts as both Blues goaltenders blanked the Sharks. Sharks netminder Antti Niemi has a career 2.53 GAA and .919 save percentage against the Blues.

Goals have been hard to come by for both teams as the Sharks have just one goal in two games and 15 in their last eight. Meanwhile the Blues are fresh off a 2-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks. There has been a total of four goals between the teams in the last two meetings. Take the under.

NHL Picks: Under

Nashville Predators at Florida Panthers

NHL Odds: Predators -120

The Predators look like a good play in this spot on Saturday simply because there isn’t a huge home-ice advantage for the Panthers.

Florida has lost four of five at home and is the only team in their division with more home losses than home wins. They’re fresh off a 7-0 beatdown at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets, so it’s not exactly as if they’re coming into this contest with high spirits.

Meanwhile, Nashville has had three days rest and is set for the debut of trade deadline acquisition Paul Gaustad. Goaltender Pekka Rinne is 7-1-1 with a 1.70 GAA in his last nine starts and should be the difference.

NHL Picks: Predators