We have a six-game slate tonight with a few marquee matchups taking place across the NHL. The Leafs face off against the Red Wings in an original-six matchup. New Jersey and New York square off in a rivalry matchup at MSG. Lastly, to end the night, we have the Panthers taking on the Oilers in what should be a high-scoring affair. I break down all the games and offer my best bets along with a few player props to take a look at.
Game Previews:
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Buffalo Sabres
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Tampa Bay Lightning: 12-7-1, 4th Atlantic (5-4-0 Away)
- Buffalo Sabres: 9-12-0, 7th Atlantic (5-7-0 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -175 | -140 | -1.5 (+165) | o6.5 (-125) |
| Buffalo Sabres | +150 | +120 | +1.5 (-195) | u6.5 (+105) |
These two teams have already faced each other once this year back in November when the Lightning defeated the Sabres 5-3.
The Lightning are coming off a great 5-2 win at home against the St. Louis Blues. They had a few days off leading into that game after their four-game win streak was snapped at TD Garden. In Tampa Bay’s last six games, they have scored at least three goals, averaging 4.3 during that span.
Buffalo recently got over their eight-game losing streak by knocking off the Montreal Canadiens on the road. They followed that win up with an impressive win at home against the St. Louis Blues who were on a seven-game winning streak at that point. In their most recent matchup, they lost to the New Jersey Devils 3-1.
TBL: B. Elliott (4-1-0), 3.37 GAA, .891 SV%
BUF: U-P. Luukkonen (1-1-0), 3.50 GAA, .881 SV%
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Detroit Red Wings
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Toronto Maple Leafs: 13-5-5, 2nd Atlantic (6-3-2 Away)
- Detroit Red Wings: 11-5-4, 3rd Atlantic (7-2-2 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -165 | -145 | -1.5 (+165) | o6.0 (-125) |
| Detroit Red Wings | +140 | +125 | +1.5 (-195) | u6.0 (+105) |
The Leafs have won their last three games outscoring their opponents 10-5 during that span. After a slow start, they’ve figured things out and currently sit in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division. Historically the Leafs have owned this matchup winning their last seven games against the Detroit Red Wings.
Detroit’s been playing some great hockey as well, winning their last four games. Their offense has been clicking averaging 5 goals per game during that stretch. Before that, they had lost four straight.
TOR: M. Murray (4-1-1), 2.51 GAA, .921 SV%
DET: V. Husso (9-2-3), 2.39 GAA, .919 SV%
Vegas Golden Knights @ Columbus Blue Jackets
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Vegas Golden Knights: 16-6-1, 1st Pacific (9-1-1 Away)
- Columbus Blue Jackets: 7-12-1, 8th Metropolitan (6-8-0 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -250 | -315 | -1.5 (-120) | o6.5 (-115) |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +210 | +260 | +1.5 (+100) | u6.5 (-105) |
Despite getting off to a great start this year, the Golden Knights have lost back-to-back games. They were outscored 9-3 in those two games with Logan Thompson and Adin Hill both struggling.
Columbus is also on a two-game losing streak dropping games to Montreal and New York (I). They rank dead last in the NHL in terms of goals allowed per game and will face a Vegas team who ranks 5th in goals for. Joonas Korpisalo has taken over the majority of starts with Merzlikins out. However, Daniil Tarasov has been confirmed for tonight.
VGS: L. Thompson (11-3-0), 2.30 GAA, .925 SV%
CBJ: D. Tarasov (2-3-0), 3.46 GAA, .906 SV%
New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- New Jersey Devils: 18-4-0, 1st Metropolitan (9-1-0 Away)
- New York Rangers: 10-8-4, 5th Metropolitan (4-4-3 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| New Jersey Devils | -105 | -115 | +1.5 (-285) | o6.0 (-105) |
| New York Rangers | -115 | -105 | -1.5 (+240) | u6.0 (-115) |
New Jersey has been the most surprising team by far this season. The Devil’s thirteen-game win streak came to end last week in Toronto. Since then, they’ve followed that up with two wins against Buffalo and Washington.
Following a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the Rangers have had a lackluster start to the year. Offensively, they rank in the bottom half of goals for per game, and with Igor Shesterkin not playing at the same level as last season, they’ve had issues.
NJD: V. Vanecek (9-2-0), 2.13 GAA, .917 SV%
NYR: I. Shesterkin (10-2-3), 2.38 GAA, .917 SV%
Dallas Stars @ St. Louis Blues
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Dallas Stars: 12-6-4, 1st Central (6-4-2 Away)
- St. Louis Blues: 11-10-4, 4th Central (5-4-0 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Dallas Stars | -105 | -125 | -1.5 (+205) | o6.0 (-110) |
| St. Louis Blues | -115 | +105 | 1.5 (-245) | u6.0 (-110) |
The Stars lead the Central Division with a 12-6-4 record. However, they’ve lost their last two games. Dallas’ offense has come alive this year under new head coach Peter DeBoer ranking 2nd in goals for per game. Their special teams have also been outstanding ranking 2nd in Power Play % and 3rd in Penalty Kill %.
St. Louis’ seven-game win streak was snapped in Buffalo on Wednesday of last week. following that loss, they’ve gone 1-1 losing to Tampa but taking down the Panthers in OT. Their schedule has been very tough as of late and have upcoming games against Carolina, Pittsburgh, New York, and Colorado.
DAL: J. Oettinger (8-2-3), 2.52 GAA, .917 SV%
STL: J. Binnington (9-7-0), 3.05 GAA, .901 SV%
Florida Panthers @ Edmonton Oilers
- Time: 9:30 PM ET
- Florida Panthers: 10-8-3, 5th Atlantic (4-6-0 Away)
- Edmonton Oilers: 11-10-0, 4th Pacific (5-6-0 Home)
| Team | Opening ML | Current ML | Spread | Total |
| Florida Panthers | -115 | -115 | -1.5 (+220) | o6.5 (-115) |
| Edmonton Oilers | -105 | -105 | +1.5 (-260) | u6.5 (-105) |
The Oilers won 4-2 on the road in their previous matchup this year.
Florida’s in a bit of a skid losing four of their last five games. Their lone win during that stretch was against Boston on Wednesday of last week. Despite the recent downturn in play, they still have a 10-8-3 record.
After making it to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Oilers’ play has been inconsistent to start the season. One of the main reasons is Jack Campbell who has the fifth worst GSAX (-8.9). While the Oilers’ blue line isn’t great to begin with, he isn’t doing anything to help the issue.
FLA: S. Bobrovsky (4-5-1), 3.62 GAA, .888 SV%
EDM: S. Skinner (4-5-0), 2.78 GAA, .921 SV%
Pick(s):
- New Jersey Devils (-105) – Caesars
- Risk 0.26 to win 0.25 Units
Historically the New York Rangers have owned the New Jersey Devils winning nine of their last ten matchups. However, as you know, I don’t base any picks off trends or recent matchups. The Devils’ start to the year is something few, if none, could have predicted. Before the season started they were calling for Lindy Ruff’s head now they’re chanting “Sorry Lindy.” In the off-season, one of the major issues for the Devils was their goaltending. They acquired Vitek Vanecek from the Capitals who has been playing phenomenally. Their offense and defense are also clicking on all cylinders and are ranked inside the top three in the league.
New York, on the other hand, has been in a downward spiral to start the year. They recently traded away Ryan Reaves to Minnesota and while he may not contribute much besides his physical presence, they don’t have any grit to this team. Leon Draisaitl scored against them on Saturday and practically threw Trouba’s stick out of his hands without any repercussions. New York’s offense has not been great ranking 17th in GF/G and while they have been able to create chances, they haven’t been able to capitalize on them.
Given that it’s a rivalry game, both teams should get up for this game. However, the Devils are the overall better team and have been playing much better hockey as of late. While it’ll be a tough game, I believe the Devils can pull this one out at the mecca.
- Vegas Golden Knights/ Columbus Blue Jackets over 6.5 (-112) – Barstool
- Risk 0.28 to win 0.25 Units
In their last game, the Golden Knights were held to just one goal for the second time this season. The last time that happened this year, they scored 5 in the next game against the Seattle Kraken on the road. While the Kraken aren’t great defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are the worst team in the NHL in terms of goals against averaging 4.2. Their top goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is hurt so Daniil Tarasov is expected to start. On the year, Tarasov has a 3.46 GAA and -1.3 GSAx. The Golden Knights have one of the best offenses in the NHL and should be primed to take advantage of a weak Columbus team.
Columbus averages 2.9 GF/G but at home, that number jumps to 3.07. The Golden Knights have also struggled defensively on the road, allowing 3.18 GA/G compared to 2.17 GA/G at home. While Logan Thompson has played well this season stepping into that number one goalie role, he’s had some issues lately. In his last five starts, he’s averaging 3.2 goals against.
Leans(s):
- Edmonton Oilers team total over 3.5 (+108) – Caesars
Given the total for this matchup opened at 7, it should be a high-scoring affair. The Panthers have been awful defensively allowing five or more goals against in four of their last five games. Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to get the start tonight who’s allowed 4/5/2/5 goals against in his previous four starts. The Oilers have been much better offensively at home averaging 3.55 goals for. In Edmonton’s previous matchup against Florida, they put up 4 goals on the road.
Player Props to Target:
- Jason Robertson over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-128) – Caesars
- He’s gone over this number in four of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 5.8 SOG and 10.4 shot attempts per game. On the road, he’s recorded over 3.5 SOG in four of his last five games. The Blues rank 23rd in SOG Allowed per game and give up the 13th most SOG per game to Left Wingers.
- Brandon Montour over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-130) – FanDuel
- He’s gone over this number in four of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 3.8 SOG and 5.8 shot attempts per game. On the road, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in four of his last five games. The Oilers rank 28th in SOG Allowed per game and give up the 3rd most SOG per game to Defensemen.
- Shae Theodore over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-139) – Caesars
- He’s gone over this number in three of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 3.0 SOG and 4.6 shot attempts per game. On the road, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in his last two games. The Blue Jackets rank 32nd in SOG Allowed per game and give up the most SOG per game to Defensemen.
- Jeff Skinner over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-157) – BetRivers
- He’s gone over this number in each last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 3.6 SOG and 5.8 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in four of his last five games. The Lightning rank 11th in SOG Allowed per game and give up the 6th most SOG per game to Left Wingers.
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
