X
Skip to content

NHL Tuesday Betting Preview: Contenders Galore

Tuesday’s Slate Filled With Critical Matchups

Good on you, NHL schedule makers. Thanks to some very tight playoff races and fortunate timing, Tuesday’s schedule is a loaded one with Toronto Maple Leafs-Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes-Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins-New York Rangers, and Colorado Avalanche-Calgary Flames among the matchups on the docket.

Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and NHL odds.

NHL Tuesday Betting Preview: Contenders Galore
Eakin Howard/Getty Images/AFP

Let’s run through all nine of Tuesday’s games, which also feature some other contenders in action. If you’re betting online, check out our previews for each:


Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins have the same record — 41-19-5 — as they face off in Boston on Tuesday night. With both teams just one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for second place in the Atlantic Division, this is a massive game. Also, because the Maple Leafs won their only other meeting this season back in November, Toronto can clinch the season series with a win.

The problem for the Maple Leafs is that Boston has won four straight and Toronto is stuck between inexperienced rookie Erik Kallgren and disappointing veteran Petr Mrazek in front of the net. Neither option is particularly encouraging so the Bruins have the goalie advantage.

Boston is a slight home favorite which is fair considering the goalie situation for both teams. Go with the Bruins on the money line.

Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference meet in Tampa as the Carolina Hurricanes — after crushing the Washington Capitals 6-1 on Monday — play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night. Both teams have won their last two games and are well-positioned for the playoffs even if their seeding is still up for grabs.

After Frederik Andersen shut down the Capitals, Antti Raanta will probably get the nod for Carolina. So, Tampa Bay has a goalie and rest advantage which is why the Lightning are solid home favorites on the BetUS sportsbook. Take Tampa Bay to win in regulation.

Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers look to bounce back from a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, their first with Claude Giroux in uniform, as they host the scuffling Montreal Canadiens. Montreal has dropped five of seven but should have Jake Allen back in goal.

Florida has lost just three games this month and has a comfortable lead in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers are big favorites at home and they’re a good bet on the puck line because Florida has lost consecutive games just four times this season, which shows how good the Panthers are at bouncing back. The over is a smart play here as well.

New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins get another chance against the division rival New York Rangers tonight after New York crushed the Penguins in a 5-1 win at Madison Square Garden on Friday. Pittsburgh is coming off an 11-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings so the Penguins’ offense should be jacked up and ready to go against Vezina Trophy candidate Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers, who have won four of five.

With New York one point behind Pittsburgh for second place in the Metropolitan Division with a game in hand, this game is huge. Plus, these teams have split the season series so far.

Pittsburgh is a comfortable home favorite. Even with Igor Shesterkin likely playing, go with the Penguins to win in regulation. New York has been much better at home than on the road this season. You could also parlay the Penguins on the money line with the under.

New York Islanders vs Columbus Blue Jackets

After winning seven of nine during their best stretch of play all season, the New York Islanders dropped both ends of a brutal back-to-back with the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning over the weekend. Now, New York’s playoff hopes are essentially over as are those of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who the Islanders are visiting on Tuesday.

Columbus has dropped three in a row and lost a pair of overtime games on Friday and Saturday. The Blue Jackets’ offense has cooled down significantly after a few really strong weeks.

The Islanders top goalie, Ilya Sorokin is dealing with an upper-body injury and is day-to-day. Semyon Varlamov has been serviceable all season but you should take the Blue Jackets straight-up — even as underdogs — with Sorokin’s status up in the air.

 

Ottawa Senators vs Nashville Predators

After getting a much-needed win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday to snap a two-game skid, the Nashville Predators have another good chance at two points as they host the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa has dropped six of eight and, despite getting Drake Batherson back from injury, are still having lots of issues finding the back of the net.

Nashville is a very comfortable favorite on the NHL betting lines and should be able to cover the puck line. Juuse Saros hasn’t been as crisp lately as he was earlier in the season but the Senators are banged-up and don’t pose much of an offensive threat. Plus, the Predators have a lot to play for and Ottawa doesn’t.

Philadelphia Flyers vs Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild are scorching hot right now and will look for their seventh straight win as they host the Philadelphia Flyers. Minnesota’s last three wins have been 3-2 overtime decisions as the Wild — mostly thanks to Cam Talbot with some Marc-Andre Fleury mixed in — have allowed just nine goals during the entirety of the winning streak.

Carter Hart has been really bad as of late, giving 10 goals in his last two starts and four or more in five of his last six appearances. Minnesota has the edge in net with either Hart or Martin Jones between the pipes for the Flyers.

Minnesota is a heavy favorite tonight and the Wild are a good bet to cruise past rebuilding Philadelphia. The value isn’t great on the puck line but it’s still worth it.

Colorado Avalanche vs Calgary Flames

The two titans of the Western Conference do battle in Alberta as the Central-leading Colorado Avalanche take on the Pacific-leading Calgary Flames in a preview of what would be a great Western Conference Finals.

With a win, Colorado would be the first team in the NHL this season to reach the 100-point plateau. But, that won’t be easy against the Flames, who scored nine goals in five-on-five play against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and also give up the second-fewest goals per game in the league.

This is as good as regular-season games get. Calgary is a very slight home favorite but this is basically a tossup. Take the Flames at home.

Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks

Make that nine straight losses for the Anaheim Ducks, who are just a mess on both ends of the ice right now. That’s music to the ears of the Dallas Stars, winners of three of four. Dallas is just one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights (with four games in hand) for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Jake Oettinger should play better tonight than he did in Dallas’ 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Dallas is a solid road favorite and the Stars are a good bet to win in regulation or, if you’re willing to absorb some risk, to win on the puck line considering how bad the Ducks have been.

Did you find this article interesting?

Comments (0)