We have eight games taking place across the NHL tonight. There are several important matchups including the Rangers/ Penguins, Lightning/ Leafs, and Devils/ Hurricanes. I break down a few of the matchups and offer my best bets along with a few player props to take a look at.
Game Previews:
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- New York Rangers: 18-10-5, 3rd Metropolitan (11-4-1 Away)
- Pittsburgh Penguins: 18-9-4, 4th Metropolitan (9-3-2 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| New York Rangers | +120 | +115 | +1.5 (-215) | o5.5 (-120) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | -140 | -135 | -1.5 (+185) | u5.5 (+100) |
The Rangers have won their last seven games outscoring opponents 33-14 during that span. Their offensive production has picked up along with Igor Shesterkin returning to Vezina form.
Pittsburgh’s seven-game winning streak came to an end in their last game losing 3-2 to the Hurricanes. In their last eight games, they’ve only allowed an average of 2.0 goals against. After a slow start, Tristan Jarry has found his form.
NYR: I. Shesterkin (16-4-4), 2.39 GAA, .919 SV%
PIT: T. Jarry (14-3-3), 2.63 GAA, .921 SV%
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Toronto Maple Leafs
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Tampa Bay Lightning: 20-9-1, 3rd Atlantic (8-5-0 Away)
- Toronto Maple Leafs: 19-7-6, 2nd Atlantic (11-2-3 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +115 | +120 | +1.5 (-210) | o6.0 (-115) |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -135 | -140 | -1.5 (+180) | u6.0 (-105) |
The Leafs have a three-point lead over the Lightning but the Bolts have two games in hand. In their first matchup of the year, Tampa Bay defeated Toronto 4-3 in OT.
Tampa Bay has been red hot winning seven of their last eight including their last five. In their last five games, they haven’t allowed more than two goals against and have scored an average of 4.8 goals.
Toronto is in a minor slump losing their last two games. Before that stretch, they won seven of their last eight games. During this two-game skid, their goaltending has been subpar with Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov both struggling.
TBL: A. Vasilevskiy (13-8-1), 2.55 GAA, .915 SV%
TOR: M. Murray (7-2-2), 2.45 GAA, .924 SV%
New Jersey Devils @ Carolina Hurricanes
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- New Jersey Devils: 21-8-2, 1st Metropolitan (11-1-1 Away)
- Carolina Hurricanes: 19-6-6, 2nd Metropolitan (8-3-1 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| New Jersey Devils | +105 | +105 | +1.5 (-245) | o6.0 (+105) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -125 | -125 | -1.5 (+205) | u6.0 (-125) |
The winner of this matchup will take over the lead in the Metropolitan Division.
After an incredible start to the year, the Devils have regressed a bit and are on a five-game losing streak. They’ve been outscored 20-11 during that span. In the Devils’ last three games they’ve only scored four goals despite recording over 32 shots on goal in each of those matchups.
The Hurricanes have been playing some great hockey as of late winning each of their last five games. During that span, they’ve averaged 3.0 goals for and 1.6 goals against. Pyotr Kochetkov who was third on their depth chart to start the season has been great for them posting a +9.7 GSAx through 14 games.
NJD: V. Vanecek (12-3-2), 2.37 GAA, .912 SV%
CAR: P. Kochetkov (9-1-4), 2.01 GAA, .923 SV%
Picks(s):
- Toronto Maple Leafs (-135) – BetMGM
- Risk 0.34 to win 0.25 Units
Tampa Bay knocked the Leafs out of the playoffs last year and have already defeated them once this season. The Leafs are in a minor slump losing their last two games but should get up for this big matchup. Toronto has been great on home ice all season and I think they can get it done tonight. The Bolts have been playing great defensively as of late but if there’s one team that can put up goals, it’s the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Philadelphia Flyers in Regulation (-115) – DraftKings
- Risk 0.29 to win 0.25 Units
The Blue Jackets are coming off a hard fought game last night against the Dallas Stars. They’ve lost their last four being outscored 14-4 during that span. On the road, their offensive production nearly drops a goal per game which isn’t ideal given Philadelphia’s style of play. The Flyers are in a bit of a slump themselves, losing seven of their last nine but, this spot favors them. They’ve also been better on home ice and given the goaltending matchup, I think Philly can get it done in regulation.
- Kevin Hayes over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-135) – Caesars
- Risk 0.34 to win 0.25 Units
He’s gone over this number in three of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 3.2 SOG and 4.4 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in four of his last five. The Blue Jackets also rank 31st in shots on goal allowed per game and give up the 4th most shots on goal per game to Centers.
- Kevin Fiala over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-150) – Bet365
- Risk 0.38 to win 0.25 Units
He’s gone over this number in three of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 3.2 SOG and 5.8 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in each of his last five. The Ducks also rank 32nd in shots on goal allowed per game and give up the 4th most shots on goal per game to Left Wingers.
Other Player Prop(s) to Target:
- Tony DeAngelo over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-190) – DraftKings
- He’s gone over this number in four of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 2.4 SOG and 3.2 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 1.5 SOG in four of his last five. The Blue Jackets also rank 31st in shots on goal allowed per game and give up the most shots on goal per game to Defensemen.
- Cole Perfetti over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-143) – Caesars
- He’s gone over this number in four of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 2.0 SOG and 3.2 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 1.5 SOG in four of his last five. The Senators also rank 21st in shots on goal allowed per game and give up the 14th most shots on goal per game to Left Wingers.
- Jordan Kyrou over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-144) – FanDuel
- He’s gone over this number in each of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 4.8 SOG and 8.4 shot attempts per game. On the road, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in four of his last five.
- Frank Vatrano over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-114) – FanDuel
- He’s gone over this number in four of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 4.0 SOG and 5.2 shot attempts per game. On the road, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in four of his last five.
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
