NHL Expert Matt DiLeo previews the hockey slate and gives his 5 best bets.
Last week’s record: 2-3
Season Record: 5-3
Friday Night’s 5 Best Bets
It’s time to get into this short 6 game slate and dive into which teams are the bets bets and have the best value. I have been on quite a roll lately and I will look to add to that in this article. If you aren’t an avid hockey better I would definitely consider hopping on the bandwagon and win some money!
Edmonton Oilers vs. Detroit Red Wings
The Oilers are coming off a fantastic offensive performance against the Flyers on Wednesday. Connor McDavid is off to a great start in his campaign to take home the Conn Smythe Trophy. The Oilers were up 6-1 in the 3rd before giving up some late goals to make it 6-3. They will also be playing at home against a Red Wings team that will be playing a tough Calgary team on Thursday Night. The Red Wings on the second game of a back to back will be tired and will most likely save starting goalkeeper Jimmy Howard and send out their backup goalie Jonathan Bernier. I’ll take the red hot Oilers at home facing an overhyped and tired Red Wings team any day.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
The Capitals survived a 2-0 deficit against the Maple Leafs on Wednesday as they came back to win 4-3. They dominated the 2nd period where they outscored the Leafs 4-0 and they never looked back. This has something to do with the Leafs playing the day before where they visibly got tired in the 2nd period. The Capitals are playing great hockey right now and they will go up against a Rangers team that is still figuring things out and will be playing the Night before as well. The Rangers will be playing the New Jersey Devils on Thursday Night which is always a physical matchup. The good thing for the Rangers is that they are starting backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev on Thursday so they will have Henrik Lundqvist for Friday Night. I don’t think the Rangers are on the same level as the Caps and you are getting them off a back to back where they should be sloppy and have a lot of penalties. The Capitals currently have the 3rd most power play goals this season and I think they will capitalize on most of their opportunities.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Dallas Stars
The Penguins will take on the visiting Dallas Stars at 7 pm on Friday Night. In all honesty the Stars have been killing me so far this season as they are severely under performing. With that being said, I think it’s time to bet against the Stars and pick the Penguins who are coming off of a great overtime victory to give the Avalanche their first loss of the season. Sidney Crosby has been back to his normal self as he has been putting on a show in the last couple of games. His unselfishness is elevating his teammates to the next level and the Penguins are a team I would not want to be playing right now. The Stars have now lost 4 straight and Ben Bishop is clearly struggling. They are a good team, but they need to figure it out before I can confidently back them up. Take the streaking Penguins and the great price and sit back and watch the show.
Carolina Hurricanes @ Anaheim Ducks U5.5 Goals
Two Words “John Gibson“. The stellar Goalkeeping of John Gibson and the phenomenal Ducks defense makes you think the under will hit in almost every game they play. Obviously, thats not what always happens, but i’m willing to lay the juice this time. The Hurricanes are 6-2 but are on game 3 of a pretty tough 4 game road trip and they have to run in to the Ducks who just put a stop to the Sabres streak on Wednesday. Gibson has only allowed more than 2 goals in 1 game this season and that was to the Boston Bruins. Carolina has only scored 2 goals in each of their last 3 games. The Hurricanes will be a little sluggish and the Ducks will be too much to handle for them and I think the Ducks can pull this out at home with the + money, but I think the safer bet is the under in this game.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Florida Panthers
The Avalanche received their first loss of the season to the Penguins on Wednesday in Overtime. This Avalanche team is the real deal and they can score at will. The Panthers have been playing at a high level as well, and scoring in bunches. This game is too hard to decide, but both teams can light up the scoreboard and Sergei Bobrovsky hasn’t been playing his best in the net. The Avalanche and the Panthers have yet to score below 2 goals in a game this season and I think this game will be a very high scoring affair. The Panthers ranked 2nd in Power Play goals last season and I think they will be just as effective this year. Get this price now before it jumps to 6.5.
