Four games in the NHL's early slate of games sees favourites flex their muscles with the Habs handling the Sabres at home
NHL Hockey looks to pull ahead in the Thursday night market with no football this week. What a great week it is for it as new fans to the game with no football to watch will be pleased with some exciting matchups on the nights slate with the early slate seeing matchups like the surging Penguins travelling to the Garden to take on the Bruins, the Flyers look to change their fortune against a Blue Jackets team giving up goals on the road and a original six showdown between the Blackhawks and the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
It’ll be an exciting night of hockey and if you want to get in on the action and enhance your viewing experience, here are some best bets you can take in the early games in hopes of bringing home some cash. All betting odds listed are from Bet365 and are subject to change.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers come into this one looking to regain some footing as they’ve lost five of their last six games and ride a three game losing streak. Lucky for them, they play the Blue Jackets who they’ve beaten in four straight matchups and play in their first home game since before Christmas. You would think this would give the Flyers an additional boost but that hasn’t been the case this season. The Flyers have a 6-7-1 record and the fourth-lowest goals per home game average (2.57) in their last 14 home games.
Their goals should see an increase going against a Jackets team giving up the fifth-most goals against per road game since the start of November. They are also 1-2-3 in their last six games and are also struggling to score with an average of two and a half goals per game during that span. It shouldn’t be a high-scoring game and the Flyers should squeak out a win but not by much.
Pick: Under 6.5 goals (-120), Flyers moneyline (-200)
Chicago Blackhawks @ New York Rangers
The Blueshirts getting blown out 6-1 by the Hurricanes was certainly unexpected as had many defensive lapses resulting in goals and were unable to clear the front of the net resulting in two deflection goals. They won’t have to worry about the same offensive prowess being seen from the Blackhawks, who have a 4-15-1 record and the second-worst goals per game on the road (2.20) this season.
New York has also won five of their last six matchups against the Blackhawks. Their only problem is the puckline as they have a 5-11 record this season as a home favourite. It makes the Blackhawks on the puckline feel like the best play but this very much feels like a get right spot for the Rangers and one where they win convincingly.
Pick: Rangers -1.5 (-150)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins
The Penguins have started to get their rhythm back with a 7-4-3 record since the start of December and covering the puckline in five of their last six games. It makes the Pens on the moneyline feel like a great pick as they are starting to move in the right direction. The only problem is they have to go into TD Garden, where they have three wins in their last 20 trips to Beantown.
The Garden has been a place of terrors for the Penguins and although the Bruins aren’t the same record-breaking squad they were last season, losing many key players. They are still a force to be reckoned with as they are first place in the league with a 23-7-6 record and have allowed the third-fewest goals against this season.
The Bruins should shut the top-six dependent Penguins and win but may be not cover so just look to play it safe.
Pick: Bruins moneyline (-150)
Buffalo Sabres @ Montreal Canadiens
As soon as you see this line you know what the play is as the Habs have been lethal on the puckline this season with a 23-11 record as an underdog and a 10-6 record as a home underdog this season. The Habs have a 6-5-3 record compared to the Sabres’ 5-8-2 record since the start of December with Montreal averaging more goals and fewer goals against during that span.
Montreal also has a 6-2-2 record in this matchup’s last ten games at the Bell Centre with four of the six wins by two or more goals. The Sabres shouldn’t be favoured against most teams and especially on the road, where they are 7-10-3 and have one of the worst road penalty killing units this season. I would say the Habs should be the favourites if the line hasn’t changed and if it hasn’t you can get a great value in the Habs to cover the puckline as a favourite at home.
Pick: Habs -1.5 (+210)