NHL Best Bets
It was another wild weekend of NHL hockey, and the playoff race continues to get tighter and tighter. Tonight, there are 10 games across the league and a potential Stanley Cup Final preview between the Florida Panthers and the Dallas Stars or a possible Eastern Conference Final preview between the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. Plenty of matchups to pick from for an NHL best bet.
Florida at Dallas (-112, 6)
The Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars have been two of the best teams in the NHL this season. They’ve been consistent the entire way. The Panthers are currently the number one team in the league (92 points) while the Stars aren’t far behind them in fourth (89 points).
Over their last 10 games, both teams have been defending very well. The Panthers have only been allowing 1.80 goals against per game in that span. The Stars have been giving up 2.80 each contest.
Tonight’s game should be an ultimate goalie battle between Sergei Bobrovsky for Florida and Jake Oettinger for Dallas.
In Bobrovsky’s last six starts, he is 4-2-0 with a 1.50 goals against average and a .945 save percentage. Despite Oettinger’s numbers not being as pretty as Bobrovsky’s, he is still 5-2-0 in his last seven starts. He is skating to a 3.03 goals against average and a .871 save percentage in that span.
When these two teams met previously, it was a pretty high-scoring 5-4 affair. Now that we’re in March and the playoffs are right around the corner, this game should have more of a playoff feel, especially considering that both teams are hunting for first place in the NHL.
The Florida Panthers have only allowed eight goals against in their last five games. It’s going to be a tough game for Dallas.
To me, this is the matchup of the night. I see this one being a bit more low-scoring.
NHL Best Bet: Under 6 -110 (play to -125)
Colorado at Calgary (+145, 6.5)
This will be a matchup between two teams trending in opposite directions. The Colorado Avalanche have won three straight games and four out of their last five. It seems like this team is starting to hit its stride. Nathan MacKinnon continues to lead the way not only for their team but for the entire league.
MacKinnon is currently leading the NHL with 111 points (40 goals, 71 assists). He has tallied 22 points in his last 10 games while also generating 66 shots on goal. The guy is an absolute menace.
The Avalanche are 6-2-1 in their last nine games. They’ve been scoring 3.56 goals per game while their power play is clicking at 30.4%. The Calgary Flames have essentially been the opposite of Colorado. Calgary is allowing 3.63 goals against per game over their last eight. Their man-advantage is at a 14.8%.
Alexandar Georgiev has been money in the blue paint lately for Colorado, going 5-2-0 in his last seven starts. He’s boasting a 2.29 goals against average with a .925 save percentage.
MacKinnon has had at least four shots on goal in his last six straight games. I expect him to take over again tonight like he has in every game this season.
NHL Best Bet(s): Nathan MacKinnon over 4.5 shots on goal -105 (play to -115) | Colorado Avalanche to win in regulation -110 (play to -120)
March Record: 8-11 (-5.91 units)
2023-24 record: 108–122 (-39.17 units)
