With the first quarter of the NHL season now in the books, this Saturday represents the start of when teams begin to separate into tiers (Stanley Cup contenders, playoff hopefuls and draft lottery teams). There are not many teams deemed out of the mix entirely yet (with apologies to Arizona Coyote fans). With that said, picking the best games to wager this Saturday is no easy task.
With so many teams playing the second part of a back-to-back, knowing what goaltenders are starting is not clear. In addition, any injuries on Friday could change the best teams to bet on Saturday. Considering matchup history, team strengths, weaknesses, and potential goaltenders, here are the best bets to make on the NHL this Saturday,
Chicago Blackhawks @ Florida Panthers
Odds: CHI +101, FLO -111
Florida is riding high after an impressive 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. On Saturday they get another to beat a quality opponent when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town. The Panthers demolished the Blackhawks when they played in Florida last season, winning by a score of 7-0. Overall, the Blackhawks are 8-2-0 against Florida since the 2011-12 NHL season. The Panthers have a good chance against Chicago, using their big forwards to match up well with Chicago. The Panthers are a small favorite on Saturday and are worth wagering on to beat Chicago at home.
Pick: Florida
Washington Capitals @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Odds: WAS N/A, TOR N/A
This game will be the second meeting between these two clubs this season. The Maple Leafs won the first game between the two teams 2-0. The Capitals hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday while the Leafs played the Hurricanes in Carolina. The Capitals failed in Tampa Bay, losing 3-1 even though they closed as a -155 favorite. As for the Leafs, they took care of business as they beat the Carolina Hurricanes. While it was a high-scoring affair, they ended up winning 5-4.
The Lightning are a tougher opponent, but Carolina is no push over either. After playing on Friday, both teams may use their second goaltender on Saturday. If both sides opt to play their backup goaltenders on Saturday, the Capitals have the advantage. Look for the Washington Capitals to win for the first time in Toronto since they knocked the Maples Leafs out of the playoffs last season.
Pick: Washington
Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues
Odds: MIN N/A, STL N/A
Two more teams coming off games on Friday meet up on Saturday night, with the Minnesota Wild facing their division rivals. The Blues are the best team in the Western Conference, but playing the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild on back-to-back nights is no easy task for any team. The Blues lost at home to Nashville last night, getting shut out 2-0. The Wild played the Colorado Avalanche on Friday and ended up earning a win. They edged the Avalanche by a count of 3-2. They should be in better shape going to Saturday. Watch for who is starting in net for each team, but consider the Minnesota Wild (who will likely be modest underdogs) as a good pick to win on Saturday night.
Pick: Minnesota
Anaheim Ducks @ Los Angeles Kings
Odds: ANA N/A, LA N/A
The best late game of Saturday pits two Pacific Division rivals against one another. The Kings are one point out of leading the Pacific Division, and only three points up on Anaheim who currently sit in sixth place. The Pacific Division race is currently the most exciting in the NHL. The Ducks and Kings both played on Friday night, with the Kings playing on the road in Arizona. They ended up losing to the terrible Coyotes. As for the Ducks, they were hosting Winnipeg. They also ended up losing as they fell 4-1 to a quality Jets team. The Ducks should not be impacted by the minimum travel, making this back-to-back easier than most. The Ducks are 6-3-1 against Los Angeles over their last ten meetings. Look for the Ducks to grab a big two points on Saturday and move closer to the Kings in the standings.
Pick: Anaheim
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