Rousing Ovation for 2024 3rd Overall pick Beckett Sennecke (Via: Derek Lee) The NHL kicks off its first Sunday lineup of the season, offering exciting matchups that could rival NFL games. The Battle of Alberta returns for the 268th clash between the Oilers and Flames, while the Jets aim to maintain their perfect record against division rivals, the Wild. Later, the Stars face off against the Kraken, and the Ducks seek to build on their recent victory over the Sharks as they take on the Golden Knights on the road.Our Best Bets have started to cool off but we still have a decent 11-8 record on the season after finishing 2-2 on our picks last night. The Pad Stacking Challenge will return on Monday and we hope to get hot once again. All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. Bet: Kyle Connor anytime goal (+130), Jets Wild Under 6.0 goals (-120) Connor has been the Jets lead goal scorer over the past four seasons with 139 goals in 284 games. He has a stellar history versus the Wild with six goals and nine assists for 15 points in their last 12 matchups, including goals in two straight. The Wild have lost in each of their last five matchups versus the Jets due to their offence drying up which didn't improve last season as they finished with 3.02 goals per game, which ranked 21st in the league. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykIAEeYliZk[/embed] Minnesota will look to start netminder Filip Gustavsson in between the pipes which could work for them as he has a 4-1-0 record versus the Jets but based on his recent history may not work out as he's allowed 13 goals over his last five starts. The Jets defence is still impeccable after finishing with the lowest goals against average in the league last season (2.41) and should hold this game to a low total. Bet: Flames +1.5 (-110) The Oilers played very hard in their second game of the season versus the Chicago Blackhawks but still stumbled and were blown out again for a 5-2 loss. Slow starts seem to be a theme for the Oilers after they started 2-9-1 last season in their first 12 games of the season. Calgary surprised many when they opened up the season with a come-from-behind win over the Canucks. They followed it up with another surprising win over the Flyers where they scored six goals for the second straight game. Two rivals going in very opposite directions to start the season and the Oilers are still garnering all the attention with 74 per cent of the bets being placed on them to win.Edmonton has won nine of their last 11 matchups versus Calgary with only four of those games being decided by one goal. It appears like a great spot to fade the public and go with the Flames but if you want to play it safe you can ride with them on the puck line. We finished with a 32-14 record last season when taking underdogs. Bet: Jason Robertson Over 0.5 Power Play Points (+220) Kraken Stars Over 5.5 goals (-135) The Stars have routinely given their best effort to the Kraken with wins in six of their last seven matchups, including six power play goals over their last five matchups. Dallas is known for having a prolific offence as they finished with the fourth-best power play over their final 33 games with a 26.2 success rate. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kel6kGETYnk[/embed] Jason Robertson finished with a team-best 28 points on the man advantage and should find success when shooting against Seattle's Philipp Grubauer, who has a 2.92 goals against average and a .889 save percentage over his last nine appearances. Since joining the Kraken, he has a 3-6-1 record with a goals against average of 3.58 and a save percentage of .870 in his last 10 games versus the Stars. Robertson and company shouldn't have trouble getting one past him if they have an opportunity on the man advantage. Seattle should respond however as the Stars will be starting new acquisition Casey DeSmith, who has 17 goals allowed over his last five NHL starts.
