We have a small slate tonight with only three games taking place across the NHL. I break down each game and offer my best bets of the night.
Game Previews:
St. Louis Blues (+165) @ Boston Bruins (-195)
The Blues started the season strong winning their first three games. However, they have lost their last six games being outscored 30-10 during that span.
Boston has had a great start to the season going 10-2 despite missing some key players. They’re 6-0 at home with their two losses coming on the road to Toronto and Ottawa.
STL: J. Binnington (confirmed)
BOS: L. Ullmark (confirmed)
Calgary Flames (-120) @ New York Islanders (+100)
The Calgary Flames started off the year strong going 5-1-0 but have been on a cold streak as of late losing their last four games. During that span, they’ve averaged 4 goals against per game. This is also just their second game on the road this year.
The Islanders have been great at home this year with a 4-2-0 record. They’re coming off a three-game road trip where they went 2-1. That lone loss was in their previous game against the Detroit Red Wings.
CGY: J. Markstrom (confirmed)
NYI: I. Sorokin (confirmed)
Edmonton Oilers (-165) @ Washington Capitals (+140)
The Oilers have dropped their last two games to New Jersey and Dallas. They’ll begin a four-game road trip tonight starting in the nation’s capital. On the year, they’re 7-5-0 and sit in 4th place in the Pacific Division.
Washington has been sub-par to start the year with a 5-6-2 record. They’re currently on a four-game losing streak. The good news for the Capitals is that they have a better record at home.
EDM: S. Skinner (confirmed)
WSH: C. Lindgren (confirmed)
Pick(s):
- Edmonton Oilers in Regulation (-105) – DraftKings
- Risk 0.26 to win 0.25 Units
Both the Oilers and Capitals have been struggling as of late. The Oilers have dropped their last two games while Washington has lost four straight. However, the issues for these teams are slightly different.
While averaging 3.83 GF/G on the year, the Oilers’ offense has been performing at a below-average rate in their last two games. Edmonton’s defensive woes also continue as they’re allowing the 24th most GA/G. Part of that blame can be passed to Jack Campbell who hasn’t had an ideal start to the season.
Washington is riddled with injuries and has shown no signs of breaking out of the slump they’re in. Due to all of the injuries up front, they’re struggled to produce and capitalize on any scoring chances they do generate. Defensively, they’re 11th in GA/G but could be much worse if it wasn’t for the play of Darcy Kuemper. However, Charlie Lindgren will get the nod in net tonight. He hasn’t been bad by any means but also hasn’t played as well as their main guy.
This is a great spot for the Oilers to break out of their two-game skid. They face a banged-up Capitals team that seems to be trending in the wrong direction. Stuart Skinner will also get the start for the Oilers tonight who’s been the better goalie by far.
- Boston Bruins/ St. Louis Blues over 6.0 (-112) – Barstool
- Risk 0.28 to win 0.25 Units
The Blues will try to end their six-game skid against arguably the best team in the NHL tonight. Boston has been a force this year going 10-2-0 and undefeated on home ice. The Bruins rank 1st in GF/G and 4th in GA/G. St. Louis on the other hand ranks dead last in GF/G and 28th in GA/G.
You may be asking, if the Blues can’t score and Boston has a great defense, why take the over? There’s no doubt that Boston will likely contribute most of the scoring. St. Louis has been horrendous on defense and has several players out. Jordan Binnington has also been confirmed as the starter for the Blues. In his last three games, he’s allowed at least four games and has a sub .800 SV%. Linus Ullmark will start for the Bruins who’s allowed at least two goals against per game in his last three starts. So while Boston is a great defensive team, they still allow a couple of goals against per game.
Player Props to Target:
- Zach Hyman over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-115)
- He’s gone over this number in each of his last 5 games. During that span, he’s averaging 5.2 SOG and over 7.4 shot attempts per game. On the road, he’s recorded over 3.5 SOG in four of his last five. Washington ranks 16th in SOG allowed per game.
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.
