NHL Picks For 2/18
We had so much fun betting hockey this past week, I got up early to dig into the Saturday slate and let me tell you, there are some great bets to be made on a day such as this.
Panthers @ Predators
Predators +110
I know, Nashville has only scored a total of five goals over their past four games, sure. The Florida Panthers, on the other hand, have scored 14 in their past four games. The Panthers have been playing well, they just beat the Capitals 6-3 in D.C. on the same night Nashville lost 5-0 to the Bruins.
So why isn't this line Panthers -1.5 at something like +125 rather than +190? It could be because they want us to take Florida here. The Panthers' top goal-scorer, Carter Verhaeghe only has three goals and five points in nine games vs the Preds.
These Panthers got a big win Thursday night and then went to Nashville...do we think they went right to bed and had a sensible breakfast, or did they close Nudie's Honky Tonk? They're hockey players in Nashville on a Friday night. This game is at 2 P.M. Give me the Preds.
Devils @ Penguins
Devils -120
New Jersey is the best road team in the league having won 20 of a possible 27 and only losing four. The Penguins haven't had their act together at all this season, but they're decent at home with a 15-6-4 record. Looking at Sidney Crosby vs the Devils, he's scored one goal against them since Halloween of 2021. He had zero goals in three games vs New Jersey last year.
Devils center Jack Hughes on the other hand has four goals in his last four games against Pittsburgh. He's back from injury and ready to lead this team to their 21st road win of the season.
Avalanche @ Blues
Blues +150
Under 6 Goals -110
Colorado is quite beaten up, but they are getting defenseman Cale Makar back today. The Avs have scored more than three goals only once in the past couple of weeks. St. Louis is hot, bringing a three-game win streak into Denver and they've scored 16 goals in the process.
The Blues still have the momentum and health advantage, and they're facing a shaky goaltender.
St. Louis can win this game even if Makar limits shots because Annunen's average goals against is over 4 in his two career starts.
Islanders @ Bruins
Bruins 1st Period -0.5 +120
Bruins -1.5 +100
The Boston Bruins have exceeded preseason expectations more than any other team this season. Over the past three against the Islanders, Boston has a 14-7 goals advantage, covering two of the three games by three goals.
The Bruins are back home after a 2-0 road trip. They had a night of rest on Friday while NY took Pittsburgh to the limit in a 5-4 comeback victory. That sort of game takes a toll, and they may not have the stamina. Should Boston jump out to a 2-0 lead, one could see the Islanders packing it in for the night.
Blue Jackets @ Stars
Blue Jackets 1st Period +160
Blue Jackets +1.5 -105
It's projected to be Korpisalo for Colombus and backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood for the Stars in this one. Wedgewood is decent with a 0.913 save percentage and an average of 2.91 goals against, but he is no Jake Oettinger.
The Colombus Blue Jackets are one of the worst teams in the NHL. They have been scrappy as of late, but it's not enough to win in Dallas tonight.
For one thing, Colombus has five road wins. They won their last road game in Toronto, so now the question becomes will this team suddenly put together two in a row? It seems unlikely.
Can Dallas get up for this game after two consecutive overtime losses, one being last night? Maybe. But what's most likely in this game is Dallas comes out tired, maybe Colombus jumps on them in the first period. A +160 price is enough to make it interesting. They have scored nine goals over the past three games compared to just four for Dallas.
As always, thank you for supporting Patriot Sports! Let's see how these go and maybe we'll get some more action going tonight. Best of luck to all those who ride along!
We missed the first goal prop and the SOG prop last time to go 0-2, but 7-0 on sides and totals bringing us to 1-3 on player props, 12-1 for sides and totals.