Totals Preview
Going by the NHL odds, this Thursday’s slate is filled with a lot of potential butt-whoopings. There are at least three games where the favorites are expected to win by over two goals and two of them have totals lined at 6½.
Minnesota Wild vs Philadelphia Flyers
Skidding teams collide when both the Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia Flyers look to get the monkeys off their backs. The Wild are giving up 4.8 goals in its last nine but bet online on anemic offenses here. Minnesota has scored three goals or fewer in lost six of its last seven losses while the Flyers have scored three or fewer in eight of its last nine.
Pick: Under 6 (+110)
Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals
The Carolina Hurricanes rekindle their rivalry with the Washington Capitals. In six of their last eight games, at least one team has scored four-plus goals. The total has gone over on all of these occasions. These teams have potent offenses and even with Washington struggling in recent games, eight of their last 12 games in the division have gone over.
Pick: Under 6 (-110)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Scoring has usually been higher than the online sports betting lines when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Tampa Bay Lightning: 11 of their 13 games at Amalie Arena have gone over. However, Pittsburgh is averaging just 1.8 goals in its last five games and Tampa Bay has not allowed more than three goals in its last 10.
Pick: Under 6 (-110)
Ottawa Senators vs Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are heavily favored to end its three-game skid by destroying the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers have either allowed four-plus goals or scored four-plus goals (or both) in 24 of their last 26 games. Yes, this Star Wars-style of hockey is why 33 of their 53 games have gone over. Five of Ottawa’s last six games have gone under, however.
Pick: Over 6½ (-130)
Time for a #NewProfilePic 😻 pic.twitter.com/rkDzRF0Mcy
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 3, 2022
Vancouver Canucks vs New York Islanders
The Vancouver Canucks look to re-ignite their once-prolific offense as they visit the sputtering New York Islanders. Vancouver has averaged 4.3 goals in its last nine games and the total has gone over in its last six. But the Islanders are allowing the third-fewest goals at home, which has led to 18 of their 24 games going under.
Pick: Under 5½ (-120)
Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks
This may read funny, but the Edmonton Oilers are beginning to win games with their defense. The Oilers’ last 12 wins have seen them limit opponents to three goals or fewer and they are expected to run over the moribund Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago lit up New Jersey for eight goals but has been limited to three goals or fewer in six of its previous eight games.
Pick: Under 6 (-105)
Colorado Avalanche vs Arizona Coyotes
Here is another blowout as the Colorado Avalanche are set to blow out the Arizona Coyotes. The Avalanche have scored five or more goals in four of their last six games, including their last one, against the defensive-minded Islanders. The total has gone over in five of Colorado’s last seven games against Arizona.
Pick: Over 6½ (-105)
Boston Bruins vs Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights have been having issues on offense lately. This once-potent team is averaging just 1.8 goals in its last seven games and was even held to just one goal against Arizona. The Boston Bruins spell trouble as this is the NHL’s second-best defense when on the road, allowing just 2.3 goals in 27 games. Six of Boston’s last eight road games have gone under.
Pick: Under 5½ (+105)
Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames
The Montreal Canadiens saw their five-game winning streak snapped as they gave up a whopping eight goals to the Winnipeg Jets. This was one more than what the Habs gave up in the previous five games. They’re in for another rough road game as they take on the Calgary Flames, a team that has won 10 straight at home and has averaged 4.8 goals in this span.
Pick: Over 6 (-120)
And the Grand Salami is …
Despite all the potential blowouts and the presence of three of the top-five offenses in the NHL, 55½ is a tad too many goals for our Grand Salami. Each game would have to average over six goals to cash the over and we don’t see that happening.
