Today’s NHL action features a series of exciting matchups and potential betting opportunities.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will kick off a challenging road stretch with a game against the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa is priced at -120, with the total set at 6.5 (Under -115). After a tough 6-3 loss to Nashville, Detroit aims to bounce back at home, though they are expected to start John Gibson in net. The Lightning, who may start either Jonas Johansson or Andre Vasilevskiy, boast an impressive record of 6-1-0 in recent first periods, while the Wings have struggled, lacking a first-period lead in their last 13 games. Key players to watch include Brandon Hagel, who has been on a scoring streak, and Detroit’s Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin, both of whom have been contributing consistently.
In another matchup, the New York Rangers (-130) face off against the Boston Bruins (+110) at 1 p.m. ET. The Rangers are looking to build on their recent success with back-to-back wins, and historical performance shows they have dominated in Boston, winning five of the last six encounters. The goaltending situation remains uncertain, especially with Jonathan Quick on injured reserve, potentially leading to the debut of Dylan Garand. Player prop bets to consider include Mika Zibanejad, who frequently scores New York’s first goal, and Boston’s Morgan Geekie, who has been strong in recent outings.
Moving to the 3:30 p.m. matchup, the Colorado Avalanche (-150) clash with the Minnesota Wild (+130), showcasing two teams on impressive win streaks. Colorado has secured ten straight victories without allowing any goals in their last three games, while Minnesota has shut out opponents in two of their last three wins. Cale Makar’s ability to consistently generate shots makes him a prop to consider, along with Minnesota’s Matt Boldy, who leads his team in scoring firsts this season.
Lastly, the Montreal Canadiens (+155) will take on the Vegas Golden Knights (-180) at 4 p.m. ET. Despite recent struggles, the Golden Knights have historically performed well against Montreal. Both teams have seen their games consistently go over the total, making the over bets appealing. Noteworthy player props include Canadiens’ star Cole Caufield and Vegas’ Mark Stone, who are both contributing significantly to their respective teams.
As the NHL season progresses, these matchups promise excitement and a multitude of betting opportunities as teams vie for position in their divisions.