Thursday sees a loaded slate of NHL Hockey with 12 exciting games that should be action-packed and hockey fans on the edge of their seats and sports bettors sweating some lucrative bets. The most intriguing matchups are the Coyotes looking to break their 13-game losing streak in a surprisingly favourable matchup against the Leafs, the Habs look to slow down Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers with the marquee matchup being the Golden Knights travelling to Beantown to take on the Bruins.

It could be an exciting night of NHL action and if you want to get in on all the action, here's a breakdown of the matchups with some insights for potential betting opportunities that could win you some cash.

All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

Arizona Coyotes @ Toronto Maple Leafs

The Coyotes had won four straight matchups over the Leafs and looked to break their lengthy losing streak last Wednesday but a pair of goals by Arizona native Auston Matthews sunk those hopes. They continued to lose their next two games extending the losing streak to 13 games. The Coyotes have won six of their last nine games against the Buds and covered the puck line in seven of those nine games.

It also may be a night where we see another Matthews goal as he’s scored five goals in his last seven games against the Coyotes and he’ll enter tonight’s matchup with a small two goal drought which Matthews hasn’t seen extend to three or more games since the end of November when he went four games without a goal.

Pick: Coyotes +1.5 (-120), Auston Matthews anytime goal (-160)

Montreal Canadiens @ Florida Panthers

The Cats have turned it on since mid-January with 12 wins and the lowest goals against per game average in the league with 2.12 over their last 17 games. The Habs have been on the opposite end of the spectrum as they are doing their best to stay in the East playoff race but with now being 15 points behind, it looks unlikely.

During Florida’s hot streak, Montreal was allowing the second-most goals with 66 over their last 17 games, which is just three behind the Coyotes, who’ve won just two games during that span. Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk has a history of dominating the Habs with eight goals and 14 points over his last six games in this matchup and also has the third-most points since the start of the new year with 16 goals and 40 points over his last 22 games.

Pick: Matthew Tkachuk to score two or more goals (+900)

New York Islanders @ Detroit Red Wings

New York’s defensive unit has been an issue with a 3.44 goals against per game average since mid-January, which should work in the favour of captain Dylan Larkin. The Michigan native has started to heat up again with three goals and six points in their last six games.

He also has a habit of scoring every other matchup against the Islanders as he’s found the scoresheet every other game during his last seven games versus New York and he’s due for one tonight. Sorokin’s last outing against the Red Wings this season wasn’t great with four goals against in a 4-3 loss.

Pick: Dylan Larkin anytime goal (+155)

Buffalo Sabres @ Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning have won 11 of their last 15 games against the Sabres and covered the spread in nine of the 11 wins. They have been a hit or miss team when it comes to the puck line this season but before their last three home games, the Lightning had covered in eight straight home games. 

This could be a game that is over early as the Bolts have scored the fourth-most in the first period with 62 goals that is tied with the Sens and Bruins. The Sabres allow the most first period goals with 71 on the season that is five ahead of the second place teams in Arizona and Chicago. The Bolts should jump out to an early lead and ride it for the majority of the game.

Pick: Lightning -1.5 (+150), Lightning first period ML (+150)

Carolina Hurricanes @ Columbus Blue Jackets

It’s really interesting to see a team be a sizable underdog in their own building as the Blue Jackets look to upset the Hurricanes for the third time in their last 12 matchups. Carolina’s defensive play has soared to new heights in February with the second-fewest goals allowed this month with just 20 over the last month.

Columbus has scored the fifth-fewest goals this month with just 23 in eight games so if they want a chance in this one, they will need it to be low-scoring. They should put in a valiant effort but playing their second leg of a back-to-back against a hot team like Carolina, who’ve won seven of their last nine games will be difficult but they will keep them at bay enough for the under.

Pick: Under 6.5 goals (-115)

Vegas Golden Knights @ Boston Bruins

The Golden Knights have few teams that beat them regularly and the Bruins are one of them with 11 wins in their last 15 games against Vegas. The one thing going for the Golden Knights however, is their two straight wins at the Garden, where the Bruins look virtually unbeatable with a 52-11-8 home record dating back to last season. 

They have the fourth-best home defense with a 2.53 goals against per game average that is tied with the Golden Knights, who have averaged 3.11 goals against per game this month. The Bruins should take advantage with David Pastrnak, who has the second-most goals at home since last season with 50 and just one goal behind Leafs forward Auston Matthews. He also has six goals in his ten career games against the Golden Knights.

Pick: David Pastrnak anytime goal (-125)