A nice start to the year continued over the weekend as we went 2-1 in Saturday’s action for +1.39 units, then won Sunday night with the Under 5.5 -120 in Buffalo/Anaheim (that pick was posted on Facebook and Twitter).
We’re now 8-3 for +5.8 units, so hopefully you’ve been able to tail a few of those and make some money yourself.
Don’t look now, but games are already getting a bit lower scoring in the NHL. The Under is 4-0 over the past 2 nights, with no team managing to score more than 3 goals in any of those games.
It’s an interesting trend to keep an eye on now that oddsmakers have inflated totals in reaction to a high-scoring start. There are 4 games on tonight’s 11-game board with Over/Unders of 6, and only 1 game (Montreal/San Jose) has a total of 5.
Unders aren’t fun to bet, but it seems like the best place to find value right now. Especially since there’s such a huge difference between 5 and 5.5 in NHL over/under betting.
Below are breakdowns for all of tonight’s NHL action, along with our 2 picks and any other opinions we have. Good luck!
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 Arizona: Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet read his team the riot act after Saturday’s 6-2 loss to Boston, saying that “I just don’t want to be a babysitter out here.” The Stars have scored 9 non-empty net goals in their first 5 games.
Reasons to bet Dallas: The Stars have outshot 4 of their first 5 opponents by 8 shots or more. Arizona is 0-4-1 on the season and has allowed 15 goals in its last 3 games.
Other things to know:
- This is the first game of a home and home
- Arizona has lost 10 of its last 11 visits to Dallas
- The home team has won 20 of the last 28 meetings
- The Under is 18-7-1 in the last 26 meetings
- Arizona has been outscored 22-7 since leading Anaheim 4-1 in the second period of its season opener
- Arizona has scored 2 goals or less in 4 straight games
- Dallas has allowed 5 goals in its first 3 home games
Probable goalies: Domingue, Bishop (confirmed)
Bet this game at 5Dimes – Best hockey odds for Americans
Reasons to bet Montreal: The Canadiens have held each of their last 4 opponents to 25 shots or less. San Jose has scored 8 goals in 4 games this year, losing 3 of them.
Reasons to bet San Jose: The Sharks have won 10 straight home games versus Montreal and are playing their final home game before a 5-game eastern road trip. The Canadiens have scored 7 regulation time goals in their first 5 games.
Other things to know:
- Montreal is playing its first game of a west coast road trip
- The home team has won 13 of the last 16 meetings
- San Jose has allowed 3+ goals in 3 of its first 4 games
- Montreal has scored 8 goals in the last 8 meetings
- The Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings
Probable goalies: Price (confirmed), Jones
Bet this game at Pinnacle – Best NHL odds online
Reasons to bet Toronto: The Leafs have won 4 of their first 5 games and seek revenge for a first-round playoff loss last year versus Washington. The Capitals have given up 3+ goals in 4 of their first 6 games.
Reasons to bet Washington: The Capitals lost 8-2 Saturday in Philadelphia and have won 20 of their last 26 games following a loss of 3 or more goals. Toronto has given up 3+ goals in 4 of its first 5 games.
Other things to know:
- Toronto has scored 4+ goals in 4 of 5 games
- Washington has won 11 of the last 14 meetings and 19 of its last 26 home games versus Toronto
Probable goalies: Andersen (confirmed), Holtby (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Pittsburgh: The Penguins’ offence is clicking, scoring 15 goals in their last 4 games and producing 4+ goals in 4 of their first 6. New York has scored just 6 goals in its last 4 games.
Reasons to bet New York: The Rangers should bring some desperation as they look to avoid falling to 1-5 on the year. Pittsburgh has lost 2 of its first 3 home games away from home.
Other things to know:
- Pittsburgh has won 6 of the last 8 meetings and 10 of the last 13
- Pittsburgh has won 6 of its last 7 games in New York
- New York has scored 2 goals or less in 4 straight games and 5 of its first 6
- The Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings
Probable goalies: Murray (confirmed), Lundqvist
Reasons to bet Florida: The Panthers fired 46 shots on net in Saturday’s 4-3 loss in Pittsburgh, the second time in 4 games Florida has had more than 45 shots. Florida has scored 3+ goals in each of its games this year.
Reasons to bet Philadelphia: The Flyers have scored 13 goals in their last 2 games and produced 5+ goals in 3 of their first 5. Florida has allowed 4 goals or more in 3 of 4 games this year.
Other things to know:
- Philadelphia won all 3 meetings last year and is 4-0-1 in the last 5
- Philadelphia has allowed 2 goals or less in 3 of its first 5 games
- Florida has lost 5 of its last 6 games in Philadelphia
- The Under is 12-3-2 in the last 17 meetings in Philadelphia and 6-2-1 in the last 9 overall
Probable goalies: Luongo, Neuvirth (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Tampa: The Lightning has won 5 of 6 games to start the year and has allowed just 3 goals in its last 2 games. New Jersey has lost 6 of the last 7 meetings.
Reasons to bet New Jersey: The Devils are 4-1 so far this season, scoring 3+ goals in each of their victories. Tampa played last night in Detroit and is also playing its 3rd game in 4 nights.
Other things to know:
- Tampa is 1-1 on the road
- New Jersey is 1-1 at home
- New Jersey has scored 2 regulation time goals or less in 8 of the last 10 meetings
- The Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in New Jersey and 8-2-2 in the last 12 overall
Probable goalies: Budaj, Schneider (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Vancouver: The Canucks are playing the first game of a 5-game eastern road trip while the Senators are playing their first home game following a west coast road trip.
Reasons to bet Ottawa: The Senators have allowed 4 regulation time goals in their last 4 games and beat Calgary and Edmonton by a combined score of 12-1 in their last 2 games. Ottawa star defenceman Erik Karlsson is expected to return to the lineup.
Other things to know:
- Vancouver has scored 2+ goals in all 4 of its games this year
- Vancouver has allowed 9 goals in its last 2 games
- Ottawa has scored 3+ goals in 4 of its first 5 games
- Eriksson is questionable for Vancouver
Probable goalies: Markstrom, Anderson (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Colorado: The Avalanche is one of the league’s biggest surprises so far this year, winning 4 of its first 6.
Reasons to bet Nashville: The Predators have scored 10 goals in their 2 home games this year, winning both. Colorado has dropped 6 straight meetings with the Preds and 12 of its last 16 in Nashville.
Other things to know:
- Nashville won all 5 meetings last year
- Colorado has scored 3+ goals in 4 of 6 games
- Nashville has allowed 2 regulation time goals in its last 2 games
- The Over is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings and 12-3-1 in the last 16 in Nashville
Probable goalies: Varlamov (confirmed), Rinne
Reasons to bet Columbus: The Blue Jackets have won 3 straight games and 4 of their first 5 this season. Winnipeg has recorded just 41 shots on net in its last 2 games combined.
Reasons to bet Winnipeg: The Jets have won 5 of the last 6 meetings and scored 3+ goals in 8 straight games against Columbus. The Blue Jackets have scored just 6 regulation time goals in their first 3 road games.
Other things to know:
- The road team has won 6 of the last 8 meetings
- Winnipeg has allowed 5 goals in its last 3 games
- Columbus has allowed 1 goal or less in 3 of its 5 games this year
Probable goalies: Korpisalo (confirmed), Mason (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Carolina: The Hurricanes have held all 3 of their opponents this year to 27 shots or less. Edmonton has scored just 8 goals in 4 games this year, losing 3 of those contests.
Reasons to bet Edmonton: The Oilers need to bounce back from an embarrassing 6-1 loss at home to Ottawa on Saturday. The Hurricanes have scored just 2 goals in their last 2 games.
Other things to know:
- Edmonton has scored 6 goals in the last 4 meetings
- Edmonton has allowed 14 goals in its last 3 games
- Carolina has lost its last 4 games in Edmonton
- The home team has won 16 of the last 21 meetings
- Draisaitl is out for Edmonton
Probable goalies: Darling, Brossoit (confirmed)
Reasons to bet Buffalo: The Sabres could play with more confidence after earning their first victory of the season Sunday in Anaheim. Vegas has scored just 1 power play goal in 21 chances this season.
Reasons to bet Vegas: The Golden Knights are playing tremendous defence, holding 3 of their first 5 opponents to 1 goal and 4 of 5 to 2 goals or less. Buffalo is closing out a 4-game road trip and playing its 3rd game in 4 days and 4th in 6.
Other things to know:
- Buffalo has scored 2 non-empty net goals or less in 5 of its first 6 games
- Vegas has scored 3+ goals in 3 straight games
Probable goalies: Lehner, Subban
Good luck!
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