A busy weekend in the National Hockey League sees a dozen games on Saturday, including the second half of a handful of back-to-backs plus a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Finals. There are more than a few games worth wagering on this Saturday with a couple of home teams and a fair sized road underdog looking like the best bets to place on Saturday.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins
Odds: TOR N/A, BOS N/A
After playing on Friday in Toronto, these two teams hop on a quick flight to Boston for a rematch on Saturday night. It will be tough to know the exact odds and goaltending situation for this game before Saturday, but considering Toronto has typically given Frederik Andersen the night off in the second half of a back-to-back, it is reasonable to believe he will not be getting the start. As of Friday night, early projections suggest that Curtis McElhinney will be in net for the Maple Leafs. On the season, he is 1-1 with a 4.10 GAA and an ugly .869 save percentage.
If any crazy happens in Friday night’s game between these two teams, take that into consideration before wagering on this game. However, without Andersen in net and with Auston Matthews dealing with injuries, the Maple Leafs will likely see their three-game winning streak in Boston come to an end.
Pick: Boston
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Nashville Predators
Odds: NAS N/A, PIT N/A
The most prominent game on Saturday gives NHL fans the first opportunity to see the Pittsburgh Penguins in Nashville since their Game 6 Stanley Cup-clinching victory back in June. The Pens and Predators played earlier in the season, which the Penguins won 4-0. In fact, the Predators have not scored against the Penguins in their last three meetings. The Predators are one of the best home teams in the NHL, owning a record of 3-1-1 in Nashville. The Penguins are playing the Capitals on Friday. Pittsburgh and Washington matchups are known to be physical, which may wear the Penguins down going into Saturday. Look for a ruckus home crowd to propel the Predators to a victory or the Penguins.
Pick: Nashville
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Detroit Red Wings
Odds: CLB N/A, DET N/A
Two of the better teams in the Eastern Conference will try to gain ground in the standings on Saturday as the Columbus Blue Jackets play Detroit for the first time this season. The Blue Jackets play Carolina on Friday night and, if they opt to rest Sergei Bobrovsky, will likely be a reasonable underdog aginast Detroit. The Red Wings welcome a home game, as they have played 12 of their first 17 games on the road. The Red Wings are 2-2-1 in their new arena to start the season, but this will be the first Saturday they host a game. The Wings offense is improving, especially youngster Anthony Mantha (who has eight points in his last six games). Take the Red Wings on Saturday.
Pick: Detroit
New York Islanders @ St. Louis Blues
Odds: NYI +149, STL -165
The biggest underdog to consider betting on Saturday is the New York Islanders. On the surface, this seems like quite the mismatch. The Blues are one of the best teams in the NHL while the Islanders are struggling. They currently have just 18 points on the season, which puts them in a tie for the second-worst point total in the Metropolitan Division. They are 6-3-1 in their last 10 but they have lost two straight games.
Although the St. Louis Blues may own the best record in the Western Conference (and second-best record overall), they would be one loss deeper if not for a spectacular performance by Jake Allen in a 3-2 earlier this season against the Islanders. Allen needed to make 40 stops for the Blues to win 3-2 back in early October. The Islanders are starting to surge offensively, with John Tavares and Anders Lee combining for 20 goals this season (second-most by a pair of players in the NHL this season). Consider the Islanders as one of the best underdogs to bet on Saturday. There is value here.
Pick: New York Islanders
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