The NHL continues on Thursday and this time, they’ve got ten games, perfect for giving us plenty to choose from for our online sports betting picks. There is a lot of variety with these NHL matchups from evenly matched teams to blatant blowouts-in-the-making.
As a fan, I’m more keen to watch Washington face Buffalo or Edmonton and Vancouver. But from a betting picks perspective, I’ll gladly parlay these three teams in our sportsbook and take the cash.
Boston Beats Up the Devils in New Jersey
The Bruins will have to find a way to beat the Lightning in the playoffs. But until then, they should go through the regular season like they usually do. Boston has finished with at least 100 points in each of the last three seasons.
Although Boston will start this season shorthanded, their depth makes them considerable favourites against an also-ran like New Jersey. The Bruins allowed the fewest goals (105) during 5-on-5 play and had the second-best power play at 25.2 percent and the third-best penalty kill at 84.2 percent.
In contrast, New Jersey’s power play ranked 21st at 17.9 percent and was 28th in even strength goals scored (122). It’s not all negative for the Devils. They still have C Jack Hughes, who will turn out to be a star. But things are bleak right now.
Boston had the best point percentage last season and also the best road record (22-10-3). Even without RW David Pastrnak, they should steamroll the Devils on their own ice.
Pick: Boston Bruins to win (-175)
Hurricanes Touch Down in Detroit
After two seasons playing some beautiful hockey, the Hurricanes are finally getting some much-needed respect. Carolina has a dynamic team filled with young stars like C Sebastian Aho and LW Andrei Svechnikov. But don’t dismiss them as simply being an explosive offense.
The Hurricanes only surrendered 29.3 shots against per game (2nd) and was 16.3 percent on the penalty kill (5th). The jury is still out on the goalie tandem of Petr Mrázek and James Reimer, but with Carolina’s continued improvements on defense, they only need to be good instead of stellar.
Detroit was easily the worst team in the NHL last season. They finished last in both goals scored per game (2.00) and goals scored against per game (3.73). Adding veterans like G Thomas Greiss and LW Bobby Ryan won’t change how bad they are.
This is as simple as Carolina walking into the Little Caesars arena, blowing out the “Dead Wings”, then heading back home. Chalk for Carolina.
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes to win (-200)
Knights Chase Away Ducks in Vegas
The Knights are among the main Stanley Cup favourites according to NHL odds while the Ducks are in the running to win this year’s NHL Draft Lottery. This may end up being a closer game than the odds indicate, but Vegas should not lose this game.
Anaheim is straddling that unenviable line where they’re not bad enough to finish last but not good enough to be a serious playoff contender. They have G John Gibson who has kept them from being utter rubbish, but even in adding D Kevin Shattenkirk, they will be bad.
Vegas once again fell short of their Stanley Cup dreams when they lost a hard-fought series against the Stars. But they at least found G Robin Lehner, who was a brick wall with his 94 save percentage and 1.67 goals against average in three regular season appearances. In the playoffs, he posted a 91.7 SV% and 1.99 GAA with four shutouts. Whew.
Whether this becomes a Vegas blowout or a grueling battle with few goals being scored, Vegas should emerge on top. Make Vegas a part of your NHL picks.
Pick: Vegas Golden Knights to win (-220)
NHL Betting Parlay
Boston Bruins to win (-175), Carolina Hurricanes to win (-200), and Vegas Golden Knights to win (-220) at +243
This looks way too easy and should be just as simple to set up from the BetUS sportsbook.
Boston and Carolina are both on the road but are much better than the lottery teams hosting them and Vegas should handle business against the Ducks. You can also create variants of this parlay such as changing the Hurricanes and Knights moneyline picks into puck line picks for an even more lucrative return.
