There are 9 games on the National Hockey League slate today, including a few potential previews of first-round playoff matchups.
Boston visits the red-hot Panthers in what could be a Round 1 clash if the Bruins are able to surpass Tampa for first in the East (Boston is 4 points game back with 2 games in hand) and the Panthers are able to overtake Columbus or New Jersey for the final wild card spot. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets travel to Philadelphia to take on a Flyers team that is still in contention for first in the Metro despite having lost 6 of its last 7.
Colorado/St. Louis is another game tonight with significant playoff implications as the Avalanche enter play tied with the Kings and Ducks for the final wild card spot in the West, 3 points ahead of the Blues. Even with a few major mismatches on the rest of the board, it should be another entertaining evening of hockey.
Tough loss for Dallas last night, finally breaking out offensively for 5 goals before allowing Toronto to tie the game in the final seconds and then win in a shootout. Now that the Stars’ forwards may have a bit of their confidence back, we’ll be looking to bet on the Stars tomorrow night in Ottawa as long as the price is reasonable.
We’re back to roughly even on the month, following up a 2-0 Monday with 0-1 showings each of the last 2 nights. Going with 3 plays tonight as we try to get back into the black for March and shoot for our sixth straight profitable month this season. Good luck on whatever you play.
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 Toronto: The Leafs look to avenge a 5-3 loss in Buffalo earlier this month. The Sabres haven’t played since Saturday.
Reasons to bet Buffalo: The Sabres have won 6 of the last 10 meetings overall and 20 of the last 26 in Buffalo. Toronto played an overtime game last night.
Other things to know:
- Toronto has lost 4 straight road games
- Buffalo is 10-19-5 at home
- Toronto has scored 3+ goals in 6 of its last 8 games
- Toronto has allowed 5+ goals in 3 of its last 4 games and 3+ in 7 of its last 8
- The Over is 7-1 in Toronto’s last 8 games
- Buffalo has scored 1 regulation time goal or less in 5 of its last 8 games and 2 or less in 7 of 10
Probable goalies: McElhinney (confirmed), Lehner (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Boston: The Bruins rallied from a 4-1 third-period deficit to beat Carolina 6-4 on Tuesday for their 7th win in 8 games. Florida has lost 5 straight meetings and 8 of the last 9.
Reasons to bet Florida: The Panthers have won 16 of their last 21 games at home. Boston is playing its 4th game in 6 days and has allowed 3+ goals in 8 of its last 10.
Other things to know:
- Boston is 19-9-4 on the road
- Boston has scored 3+ goals in 6 of its last 8 games
- Florida has scored 3+ goals in 10 straight games
- The Under is 19-8-6 in the last 33 meetings
Probable goalies: Khudobin (confirmed), Reimer
Reasons to bet Nashville: The Predators are 11-0-1 in their last 12 games. Arizona has scored 2 goals or less in 7 of its last 10 games.
Reasons to bet Arizona: The Coyotes are 6-2-1 in their last 9 games and 11-3-2 in their last 16. Nashville could let down a bit emotionally after a big 3-1 win over the Jets Tuesday in Nashville.
Other things to know:
- Nashville beat Arizona 3-2 in a shootout Jan. 18 in Nashville
- Arizona beat Nashville 3-2 in OT Jan. 4 in Arizona
- Nashville is 20-7-6 on the road
- Arizona is 8-2-1 in its last 11 home games
- Nashville has allowed 6 regulation time goals in its last 4 games
- Arizona has allowed 19 regulation time goals in its last 9 games
- The Under is 7-0 in the last 7 meetings
Probable goalies: Rinne, Kuemper (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Columbus: The Blue Jackets have won 5 straight games and 7 of their last 9. Philadelphia has 1 win in its last 7 games.
Reasons to bet Philadelphia: The Flyers have held 8 of their last 10 opponents to 29 shots or less. Columbus has lost 14 of its last 20 games on the road.
Other things to know:
- Philadelphia beat Columbus 2-1 Feb. 22 in Philadelphia and 2-1 in OT Feb. 16 in Columbus
- Columbus beat Philadelphia 2-1 in a shootout Dec. 23 in Philadelphia
- 5 of the last 10 meetings went to OT or a shootout
- Columbus has scored 3+ goals in 5 straight games and 7 of 9
- Philadelphia has scored 2 goals or less in 8 of its last 10 games
- Philadelphia has allowed 3+ goals in 6 of its last 7 games
- The Over is 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings in Philadelphia
- The home team is 20-7-1 in the last 28 meetings
Probable goalies: Bobrovsky (confirmed), Mrazek (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Washington: The Capitals have won 4 of their last 6 games, allowing 2 goals or less 5 times during that stretch (excluding empty netters). New York has lost 4 of 5 at home, where it hasn’t played a game in nearly 2 weeks.
Reasons to bet New York: The Islanders have won their last 3 home games against Washington. The Capitals have lost 4 of 5 on the road and are 15-14-5 away from home this season.
Other things to know:
- New York beat Washington 3-1 Dec.11 in New York
- Washington beat New York 4-3 Nov. 2 in Washington
- New York is 16-12-4 at home
- Washington has scored 2 regulation time goals or less in 7 of its last 10 games
- The Under is 5-1 in Washington’s last 6 games
- New York snapped an 8-game losing streak Sunday with a 5-2 win in Calgary
- The Under is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings in New York
Probable goalies: Grubauer (confirmed), Gibson (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Pittsburgh: The Penguins are 4-1-1 in their last 6 games and have scored 37 goals in their last 10. Montreal has allowed 10 power play goals in its last 7 games.
Reasons to bet Montreal: The Canadiens continue to be tough at home, going 17-10-8 at the Bell Center this season. Pittsburgh is just 14-18-4 on the road after an OT loss last night in New York.
Other things to know:
- Pittsburgh beat Montreal 4-1 Jan. 18 in Montreal
- Pittsburgh has won 4 of the last 5 meetings
- Pittsburgh has allowed 3+ goals in 6 of its last 9 games
- The Over is 7-0 in Pittsburgh’s last 7 road games
- Pittsburgh has won 7 of its last 9 games when playing on 0 days rest
- Montreal is 8-2-5 in its last 15 home games
- The Under is 5-0-1 in the last 6 meetings in Montreal
Probable goalies: Jarry, Niemi (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Chicago: The Blackhawks have won 11 of their last 13 visits to Winnipeg, including a 5-1 victory Dec. 14. Winnipeg has scored 4 goals in its last 3 games and has had just 1 day off since concluding a 6-game eastern road trip.
Reasons to bet Winnipeg: The Jets are 24-7-2 at home this season. Chicago has lost 9 of its last 10 games on the road.
Other things to know:
- Chicago beat Winnipeg 2-1 Feb. 12 in Chicago
- Chicago is 13-17-5 on the road
- Chicago has allowed 3+ goals in 6 of its last 8 games
- Winnipeg has allowed 3 goals or less in 9 of its last 10 games
- The Under is 6-0 in Winnipeg’s last 6 games
- The Under is 8-3-1 in the last 12 meetings
Probable goalies: Forsberg (confirmed), Hellebuyck (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Colorado: The Avalanche is 5-0-3 in its last 8 games and has scored 14 goals in its last 3. St. Louis is playing its first home game following a 4-game western road trip.
Reasons to bet St. Louis: The Blues have won their last 2 games by a combined score of 11-3 and have allowed just 9 regulation time goals in their last 5 games. Colorado has lost 9 of the last 10 meetings overall and 18 of its last 24 visits to St. Louis.
Other things to know:
- St. Louis beat Colorado 6-1 Feb. 8 in St. Louis, 3-1 Jan. 25 in St. Louis and 4-3 Oct. 19 in Colorado
- Colorado has allowed 2 goals or less in 6 of its last 8 games
- The Over is 37-26 in Colorado’s games this year
- The Under is 26-12-1 in St. Louis’ last 39 games and 19-7-1 in St. Louis’ last 27 at home
- The Under is 18-7-2 in the last 27 meetings in St. Louis
Probable goalies: Varlamov (confirmed), Allen (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Detroit: The Red Wings have had the last 2 days off while LA is playing its 3rd game in 4 days and 4th in 6.
Reasons to bet Los Angeles: The Kings have earned points in 6 of their last 8 games (5-2-1), scoring at least 3 goals in each of those outings. Detroit has lost 7 straight overall and 6 straight on the road.
Other things to know:
- LA beat Detroit 4-1 Nov. 28 in Detroit
- Detroit is 13-18-3 on the road
- LA is 18-13-3 at home
- Detroit has allowed 3+ goals in 6 straight games
- The home team has won 11 of the last 15 meetings
- The Under is 21-7 in Detroit’s last 28 games
Probable goalies: Coreau, Quick
Good luck!
Sign up below to get our daily NHL tips sent to your email the minute we post. That way, you will always get the best odds on each game…