Thursday NHL Parlay: Lightning, Hurricanes Turn Things Around

The New York Rangers go to New Jersey with an eight-game winning streak and the Florida Panthers have won six in a row as they visit the Carolina Hurricanes.

Three of the four favorites to win the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas hockey odds will be in action, led by Colorado (+850) at Detroit. Boston (+900) is at Calgary and Florida (+900) plays at Carolina (+1000).

1. Bet Carolina to Halt Cats’ Streak: Hurricanes ML (-115)

Definitely a hunch bet here.

Florida has won 11 straight games on the road and can tie the NHL record of 12, shared by the 2005-2006 Detroit Red Wings and the 2004-15 Minnesota Wild.

But Carolina has won five of its last six at home and is very motivated to snap a five-game losing streak against the Panthers that included a sweep in last season’s Eastern Conference finals.

The Hurricanes are just due to win one and Florida has got to cool off.

2. Rivalry Should Include Many Goals: Avalanche, Red Wings Over 6½ (-130)

These two teams are good at scoring goals.

Colorado is second in the league in scoring and Detroit sits sixth. They also combine to give up 6.43 goals per contest. The Avalanche goaltenders own a .897 save percentage and the Red Wings .904.

Nathan MacKinnon (92 points) and Mikko Rantanen (71) of Colorado are both in the top 10 of the league in points while teammate Cale Makar (60) is second among defensemen. Detroit is well-balanced, led by captain Dylan Larkin (24 goals, 49 points).

This might be your NHL best bet of the night. The Avalanche have won 10 straight over the Wings, whom they had many battles with in the past.

3. Take Penguins on Home Ice: Penguins -1½ (+115)

Pittsburgh has to show some signs of life soon, doesn’t it?

The Penguins are 1-4-1 in their last six as they try to hang on in the crowded race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They rallied to tie the New York Islanders on Tuesday before losing in overtime.

Even though pesky Montreal has some juicy NHL odds on the moneyline (+195), the Canadiens come in after a 3-2 loss at home against Buffalo on Wednesday. Pittsburgh has won the first two meetings this season in a shootout and overtime.

The Penguins are a mediocre 13-10-4 at home, but expect Sidney Crosby to have another good game against Montreal. He has 63 points in 48 career contests versus the Habs. Pittsburgh could also get Tristan Jarry back in net.

4. Lightning Should Strike Caps: Lightning -1½ (+130)

Washington has played better of late and boasts decent odds on the moneyline (+170) at the sportsbook, but the Lightning will come into this home game very determined after two straight losses.

NHL leading scorer Nikita Kucherov was held without a shot in the 4-2 loss against Ottawa on Monday and should be ready to roll on Thursday. Tampa Bay leads the league on the power play and Washington’s penalty killing is in the middle of the NHL pack.

One fear is that Caps superstar Alexander Ovechkin is in the middle of his best stretch of the season. The Russian sharpshooter has eight goals in his last eight games and at least a point in nine straight.

But we expect the Bolts to get back on track.

5. Stars, Rangers Viable Alternatives

If you are not thrilled with a few of those NHL predictions, taking the favored Dallas Stars and underdog New York Rangers might work as well.

The Stars are 17-7-5 on the road and have pretty darn good value -1½ (+155) at Ottawa. The Senators are 15-13-2 at home.

The Rangers have won eight straight, so no reason not to think they can make it nine in a row at the rival Devils.

FINAL — #NYR 3, Stars 1

Kaapo Kakko gets the GWG. Igor Shesterkin shuts the door in the end.

The last time the Rangers had an 8-game win streak was during the 2015-16 season.

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) February 21, 2024

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