NHL Expert Matt DiLeo (16-7) on the season gives us his 5 best value plays on Saturday Night.
Saturday Night Best Bets
We are back for another huge Saturday Night Slate! There are a ton of great games on tonight and It’s time to dive in and find the value picks. There are a ton of bounce back games that I like today, so get ready.
Winnipeg Jets @ Vegas Golden Knights
The Winnipeg Jets are going to be playing their second game in 2 days, and taking a quick trip from California to Las Vegas. They got a hard fought win against the Sharks last night 3-2. They should be tired and they are throwing out backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit. The Jets have been struggling to light up the scoreboard and with Hellebuyck taking the day off, this doesn’t look good for Winnipeg. The Golden Knights will also be looking to bounce back as they blew a 4-2 lead to Montreal on Thursday. The Golden Knights have the 2nd highest odds to win the title, and they will start to play like it soon. This is a perfect time to take advantage of a tired hockey team and get back on track. Fleury is expected to start and I would take Vegas to win convincingly.
Detroit Red Wings @ Florida Panthers
The Red wings just got slaughtered by the Hurricanes 7-3 and they look like they might be the worst team in the league. They will be traveling to Florida to play a Panther team that has been playing terrific hockey as of late. Jonathan Bernier will have his hands full with this Panther team that has had no problem scoring goals in their last couple of games. This looks like a game to me where the Panthers keep rolling and the Red Wings will lose by more than a goal or 2 before they head back home from this road trip. I think this is the game where Bobrovsky gets back on track to being the elite goaltender that the Panthers need him to be. Bet on the momentum and the better team on home ice here.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers just beat the Devils via a Shootout and they looked very sloppy during the entirety of the game. Backup goaltender Brian Elliott is expected to start and if he does I will easily lay the juice with the Leafs. Elliott is a goalie I am not sold on whatsoever and the Maple Leafs are due for a big game. They have lost or went to OT and lost 4 out of their last 5 games and they are desperately need to see themselves in the win column. The Maple Leafs are trying to make a run for the Stanley Cup this year, and to do that these are the games you have to win. I love betting against teams that are on the back end of a back to back, especially coming off of a win. I will take the better team on the road, playing with more rest, urgency, and desperation. Pick Toronto Here.
New York Rangers @ Nashville Predators
The New York Rangers are feeling goof about themselves after beating Tampa Bay on their home ice on Wednesday. They played very well and might have a lot of confidence going to Nashville. The Predators on the other hand are trying to get back on track after blowing a 4-1 lead to the Flames on Tuesday. Nashville was playing at the highest level before that game and they just let the game get away from them. Nashville is leading the league in scoring for a reason and they will prove it tonight. They should be looking to get back on track against this Ranger team that is starting backup goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. Pekke Rinne is expected to be back in goal for the Predators and I think they use this game to get back on track and defend their home ice.
New York Islanders @ Buffalo Sabres
The Islanders just beat up on a tired Lightning team that needs to end this road trip and get back home to regroup. The Sabres just got demolished by Washington and they will be looking for a bounce back game. Both of these teams can score and both of these teams are playing on a back to back. The last 4 games the Islanders have played have gone over 6 goals. On the Sabres side, 4 of their last 6 have gone over 6 goals and I think we will see both defenses getting tired. I think this game will be tight early, but then get sloppy and we will see a lot of goals in that 3rd period. Take the low over which is set at 5.5.
