We finally get a big NHL board to work with tonight as there are 10 games on the Thursday night schedule.
The Sabres, Blue Jackets, Senators, Lightning and Capitals all return from their bye weeks tonight to face teams who haven’t been on their break. Fading teams in this situation was extremely profitable last year, but so far this season, teams off their bye are 2-1-1 against opponents playing on regular rest.
It’s obviously an extremely small sample size, but maybe coaches have figured out a way to adapt to the challenge of playing a game after not playing or practicing for 5+ days. Regardless, we’re going against two of these teams with first period moneyline plays tonight, looking to exploit them early when they should be at their greatest disadvantage.
We’re on 2 other games tonight as well after taking yesterday off following a 1-1 Tuesday. Good luck on whatever you’re betting tonight, and thanks for reading.
Odds below are at the time we made the pick. Be sure to check out our live odds page for updated odds on today’s games.
Reasons to bet Washington: The Capitals have won 7 straight trips to New Jersey and 14 of the last 17 meetings overall. The Devils have allowed 4+ goals in 5 of their last 7 games.
Reasons to bet New Jersey: The Devils are 12-6-3 at home and are coming off a 4-1 win Tuesday in Brooklyn that snapped a 6-game losing streak. Washington is playing its first game after its bye week.
Other things to know:
- Washington beat New Jersey 5-2 Dec. 30 in Washington and 5-2 Oct. 13 in New Jersey
- Washington has won 6 of its last 7 games
- Washington has 3 regulation time wins in its last 12 games
- New Jersey has scored 3+ goals in 4 straight games and 8 of its last 10
- The Over is 14-7 in Washington’s road games this year
- The Over is 7-2 in New Jersey’s last 9 home games
Probable goalies: Holtby (confirmed), Kinkaid (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Toronto: The Leafs have held 5 of their last 6 opponents to 2 regulation time goals or less. Philadelphia has given up at least 3 goals in 7 of its last 8 games.
Reasons to bet Philadelphia: The Flyers have already defeated the Leafs twice this year, claiming 4-2 decisions Dec. 12 in Philadelphia and Oct. 28 in Toronto. The Leafs have lost 6 of their last 8 games, going without a regulation time victory during that span.
Other things to know:
- Toronto is 12-10-2 on the road
- Toronto has lost 6 of its last 8 road games
- Philadelphia is 11-8-4 at home
- Philadelphia has won 4 of its last 5 home games
- Toronto has scored 2 regulation time goals or less in 5 of its last 6 games
- Philadelphia has scored 4+ goals in 5 of its last 7 games
- The Under is 5-1 in Toronto’s last 6 games
- The Over is 6-1 in Philadelphia’s last 7 games
Probable goalies: Andersen (confirmed), Neuvirth (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Vegas: The Golden Knights have held 8 of their last 10 opponents to 2 regulation time goals or less. Tampa is playing its first game after its bye week.
Reasons to bet Tampa: The Lightning is 17-4-1 at home and seeks revenge for a 4-3 loss Dec. 19 in Vegas, when the Knights scored the winner with 2.3 seconds remaining in regulation. Vegas has lost 3 of 5.
Other things to know:
- Vegas is 11-9-1 on the road
- Vegas has scored 2 regulation time goals or less in 6 of its last 8 games, excluding empty netters
- Tampa has lost 3 of its last 5 games
- Hedman is out for Tampa
- The Under is 5-1 in Vegas’ last 6 games
Probable goalies: Fleury (confirmed), Vasilevskiy (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Pittsburgh: The Penguins have scored 4+ goals in 5 of their last 7 games. Los Angeles has lost 4 straight and hasn’t won at home in regulation time since December 5.
Reasons to bet Los Angeles: The Kings have won their last 4 meetings with the Penguins, including both last season. Pittsburgh has lost 13 of its last 19 games on the road.
Other things to know:
- Pittsburgh lost 5-3 last night in Anaheim and is playing its 4th game in 6 days
- LA has been off since Monday’s 4-1 loss at home to San Jose
- LA has allowed 3+ goals in 6 of its last 7 games
- The Under is 5-1-4 in the last 10 meetings
Probable goalies: Jarry, Quick
Reasons to bet Dallas: The Stars have won 6 of their last 8 games. Columbus is playing its first game following its bye week.
Reasons to bet Columbus: The Blue Jackets have won 4 straight meetings with the Stars and 8 of the last 10. Dallas is playing its 3rd game in 4 days and 4th in 6.
Other things to know:
- Columbus beat Dallas 2-1 Jan. 2 in Dallas
- Dallas is 10-11-2 on the road
- Columbus is 15-8 at home
- Dallas has allowed 2 goals or less in 6 of its last 8 games
- Columbus has 1 regulation time win in its last 11 games
- Columbus has scored 2 regulation time goals or less in 7 straight games
- In Columbus’ first game back from the bye week last year, the Jackets won 7-0
- The Under is 6-1 in Columbus’ last 7 games
Probable goalies: Bishop (confirmed), Korpisalo (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Boston: The Bruins are undefeated in regulation time in their last 14 games, going 10-0-4. New York has allowed at least 4 goals in 8 of its last 9 games.
Reasons to bet New York: The Islanders are 13-6-3 at home this year. Boston played last night at home against Montreal.
Other things to know:
- Boston beat New York 5-1 Jan. 2 in New York and 3-1 Dec. 9 in Boston
- Boston has won 8 of the last 10 meetings and 14 of the last 17 in New York
- Boston is 10-5-4 on the road
- Both teams are playing their 3rd game in 4 days and 4th in 6
- Boston has scored 4+ goals in 6 of its last 7 games
- Boston has allowed 2 regulation time goals or less in 11 of its last 14 games
- New York has scored 1 goal or less in 4 of its last 8 games
Probable goalies: Khudobin (confirmed), Halak (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Buffalo: The Sabres are 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings, including a pair of victories at Madison Square Garden. New York is playing its 4th game in 6 days.
Reasons to bet New York: The Rangers are 16-8-3 at home this season while Buffalo is 5-13-6 on the road. The Sabres are playing their first game after their bye week.
Other things to know:
- New York beat Buffalo 3-2 in overtime Jan. 1 in an outdoor game in New York
- Buffalo has scored 2+ goals in 9 of its last 10 games
- Buffalo has allowed 4+ goals in 4 of its last 5 games
- New York scored 5 goals Tuesday after scoring just 15 regulation time goals in its previous 9 games combined
- The Under is 14-6-3 in the last 23 meetings
Probable goalies: Lehner (confirmed), Lundqvist (confirmed)
Reasons to bet St. Louis: The Blues come into this game with momentum from a 2-1 come-from-behind OT win Tuesday in Toronto. Ottawa is playing its first game after its bye week.
Reasons to bet Ottawa: The Senators went into their bye week by going 4-2-1 in their last 7 games. St. Louis has lost 6 of 8 on the road.
Other things to know:
- The road team has won 7 straight meetings and is 8-0-1 the last 9
- Ottawa has allowed 3+ goals in 7 of its last 8 games
- The Under is 8-2-1 in the last 11 meetings in Ottawa
- The Under is 13-4 in St. Louis’ last 17 games
Probable goalies: Hutton (confirmed), Anderson (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Arizona: The Coyotes have won 4 of the last 6 meetings. Nashville has scored just 19 goals in its last 10 games, excluding empty netters.
Reasons to bet Nashville: The Predators are 14-4-2 at home while Arizona is 5-14-5 on the road. The Coyotes have lost 6 of 7 (1-3-3).
Other things to know:
- Arizona beat Nashville 3-2 in OT Jan. 4 in Arizona
- The home team has won 7 straight meetings
- The Under is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings
- The Under is 12-4 in Arizona’s last 16 road games
- The Under is 5-1 in Nashville’s last 6 games
Probable goalies: Raanta (confirmed), Rinne
Reasons to bet San Jose: The Sharks have won 3 straight games following their bye week and have won 7 of their last 9 meetings with the Avalanche.
Reasons to bet Colorado: The Avalanche is on a 7-game winning streak and has allowed just 7 goals in its last 6. San Jose has lost 4 of its last 5 games when playing for the 4th time in 6 days.
Other things to know:
- San Jose is 11-7-4 on the road
- Colorado has won 6 straight home games and is 16-7-1 at home this year
- Colorado has scored 3+ goals in 6 of its last 7 games (5 times in regulation)
- The Over is 6-0-1 in the last 7 meetings and 8-3-1 in the last 12 meetings in Colorado
- The Under is 5-1 in San Jose’s last 6 road games
Probable goalies: Jones (confirmed), Bernier (confirmed)
Good luck!
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