In this article, I’ll outline the most noteworthy NHL odds, news, and betting insights from the marquee matchups of Thursday’s 13-game NHL slate, and I’ll also offer up my best pick of the night.
Pick—Boston Bruins vs Winnipeg Jets: Jets Regulation Win +100
Jets regulation win
Laying -155 on a Jets side that is 2-7-1 over the last 10 games in a matchup versus a Bruins side that is 6-4-0 in the same span may not look overly appealing, but this appears to be a great spot to back a desperate Jets side versus a Bruins team with an inflated record.
During their recent 6-4-0 run, the Bruins have played a notably soft schedule, especially during their three-game winning streak which has come versus an out-of-form New Jersey Devils side, as well as a depleted St. Louis Blues team that looks to be arguably a bottom-two team in the league right now.
During those 10 games the Bruins hold an expected goal share of just 45.26%, which is pretty concerning given how many soft opponents they have faced. Jeremy Swayman’s brilliance has helped carry the team to respectable results of late, but it appears as though Joonas Korpisalo will draw the start in this matchup.
Korpisalo has been drastically less effective than Swayman, with a save percentage of .888 and a -3.4 GSAx in 12 appearances this season.
While it’s easy to pin all of the Jets’ recent struggles on the loss of Connor Hellebuyck, their overall process actually looks improved compared to earlier on in the year, with an expected goal share of 49.41% over the last 10 games. They played quite well at even strength on Tuesday versus the searing hot Dallas Stars, but suffered a tough-luck loss as the Stars scored four goals off 19 shots led by their elite power play.
It seems likely that a desperate Jets side will carry the majority of the play in this matchup, and with Korpisalo starting in goal, I’m happy to back the Jets earning a critical win as a result.
Carolina Hurricanes @ Washington Capitals
| Hurricanes moneyline odds | -115 |
| Capitals moneyline odds | -105 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-110), Under 6 (-110) |
| Time | 7:07 p.m. ET |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
- This is an important matchup for these two Metropolitan sides, as the winner will remain on top of the division. With that in mind, it’s interesting to see that Brandon Bussi will get the start for the Hurricanes, as both Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov are listed as available.
- Bussi has played to a .909 save percentage and +7.5 GSAx rating in 10 starts. He has been the Hurricanes’ best goaltending option this season, but it’s still interesting to see that he currently appears to be viewed as the number-one goaltender by Rod Brind’Amour. Considering the Hurricanes’ overall dominance, that makes Bussi an interesting add from a fantasy perspective (29% rostered in Yahoo leagues).
- Jakob Chychrun left Washington’s practice early on Wednesday, but is expected to play in this matchup.
- Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery noted that Ryan Leonard will miss close to a month due to injury. Ethen Frank overtook Leonard’s role on a red-hot top power-play unit in Sunday’s matchup, as well as Leonard’s role on the third line.
Montreal Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins
| Canadiens moneyline odds | +105 |
| Penguins moneyline odds | -125 |
| Game total | Over 6.5 goals (+100), Under 6.5 (-125) |
| Time | 7:07 p.m. ET |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
- Jacob Fowler will make his NHL debut in goal for the Canadiens in this matchup. Fowler has played to a .919 save percentage in 19 AHL appearances this season, so it certainly makes sense for the team to see how he performs at the NHL level given the poor goaltending they have received of late.
- Evgeni Malkin will remain sidelined for the Penguins. In his absence, Kevin Hayes has filled in as the second-line centre, while Justin Brazeau has overtaken his spot on the top power play.
- While it’s surprising that the Penguins are 14-7-7 and currently in a playoff spot, they have left plenty of points on the table with late collapses, as we saw on Tuesday when they allowed the Ducks to tie the game shorthanded with 0.1 seconds left on the clock. Pittsburgh is also 0-5 in shootouts.
- Zachary Bolduc will remain on the Canadiens’ top line alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.
Ottawa Senators @ Columbus Blue Jackets
| Senators moneyline odds | -115 |
| Blue Jackets moneyline odds | -105 |
| Game total | Over 6.5 goals (-105), Under 6.5 (-115) |
| Time | 7:07 p.m. ET |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
- After achieving surprisingly strong results during Brady Tkachuk’s absence, the Senators are just 1-5-0 since he returned to the lineup, though Tkachuk has chipped in six points in that span.
- The greatest problem for Ottawa has been goaltending, as its netminders have played to a save percentage of just .881 over the last 10 games, despite most metrics ranking them as a strong defensive team.
- Boone Jenner is expected to return to the Blue Jackets lineup, and is expected to play on the second line alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson, while Cole Sillinger will drop to the third unit.
- The Blue Jackets have confirmed that Elvis Merzlikins will start in goal. Merzlikins holds a -1.1 GSAx rating and .885 save percentage in 12 appearances this season, and for a second straight year, has been greatly outperformed by Jet Greaves.
San Jose Sharks @ Toronto Maple Leafs
| Sharks moneyline odds | +170 |
| Maple Leafs moneyline odds | -205 |
| Game total | Over 6.5 goals (+100), Under 6.5 (-120) |
| Time | 7:07 p.m. ET |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
- The Maple Leafs will hold a slight rest advantage in the game, having sat idle since Monday’s critical win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- The Maple Leafs have shaken up their second and third units, as William Nylander is expected to skate on the third line alongside Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua, while Nicholas Robertson will skate on the second line alongside Easton Cowan and John Tavares in his return to the Leafs lineup.
- This does appear to be a decent spot to target the trend of Robertson scoring a goal after being made a healthy scratch at a price of +360. While there are some flaws in Robertson’s game, he has scored 1.05 goals per 60 this season and could be a good fit on a more talented offensive unit alongside Cowan and Tavares, particularly versus a Sharks side that is still far from strong defensively.
- Alex Nedeljkovic will start in goal for the Sharks. While he’s picked up his level of play since the start of the season, he’s clearly still a lesser option than Yaroslav Askarov. Nedeljkovic holds an .899 save percentage and +0.9 GSAx rating in 14 games played this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning @ New Jersey Devils
| Lightning moneyline odds | -135 |
| Devils moneyline odds | +115 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-105), Under 6 (-115) |
| Time | 7:07 p.m. ET |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
- At the time of writing, the Lightning have not yet confirmed a starting goaltender for this matchup. If it is Jonas Johansson, he will be starting for the third time in four nights. If it’s not Johansson, it will be Brandon Halverson, who will be making his second career start. Halverson holds a .901 save percentage in 13 games in the AHL this season.
- Talented rookie Arseny Gritsyuk appears to have been elevated onto the Devils’ top power-play unit.
- While Andrei Vasilevskiy’s absence is critical, the Lightning are currently drastically healthier than they have been throughout the majority of the season.
- The Devils are 9-4-1 on home ice this season but are 0-4-0 on home ice over the last four games.
Detroit Red Wings @ Edmonton Oilers
| Red Wings moneyline odds | +150 |
| Oilers moneyline odds | -180 |
| Game total | Over 6.5 goals (-120), Under 6.5 (+100) |
| Time | 9:07 p.m. ET |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
- The Red Wings will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back after earning a 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames Wednesday. Detroit let off the gas after earning a 4-0 lead and should certainly be careful not to do the same tonight versus an Oilers side that has authored plenty of comebacks over the last two seasons.
- The Red Wings have allowed 3.32 goals against per game, and do hold a -6 goal differential despite ranking first in the Atlantic Division. As John Gibson started last night, Cam Talbot is expected to start versus his former side. Talbot holds a +0.5 GSAx rating and an .884 save percentage in 16 games this season.
- Evan Bouchard had a horrific mistake in Tuesday’s game and remains one of the more controversial skaters in the league. With Bouchard on the ice in five-on-five play the Oilers have outscored the opposition 22-15 since November 1st, while with Bouchard off the ice, they have been outscored 32-16. While his mistakes may rightfully keep him off Team Canada’s Olympic team, his excellent ability to drive possession shouldn’t be outweighed by the ugly mistakes, and it certainly doesn’t help that from a general perspective he appears quite lethargic on the ice.
- Over the last 15 games, Bouchard has recorded 15 assists and three goals, and he is priced at -130 to record an assist in this matchup.
Florida Panthers @ Colorado Avalanche
| Panthers moneyline odds | +195 |
| Avalanche moneyline odds | -240 |
| Game total | Over 6.5 goals (+100), Under 6.5 (-120) |
| Time | 9:37 p.m. ET |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
- Without fact-checking this thought, I’d be comfortable assuming this is the largest underdog that the Panthers have been over the last two seasons. While it seems crazy to see the back-to-back champs priced at +195, it seems warranted, as a travelling back-to-back in Colorado is without question the toughest spot the NHL can offer, and Florida has not been in great form of late, though it has won three straight matchups.
- Over the last 10 games the Panthers have allowed 3.4 goals against per game and 3.63 xGA/60.
- The Avalanche enter off a rare loss to the Nashville Predators, a game which saw goaltender Scott Wedgewood suffer a concussion after Filip Forsberg lost an edge during a shootout attempt. As a result, Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start in goal in this matchup. Blackwood has been razor-sharp with a .920 save percentage in 10 appearances this season.
- Daniil Tarasov is expected to start in goal for the Panthers. Tarasov has played quite well this season, with a .911 save percentage and 2.47 GAA in his first nine appearances.
Buffalo Sabres @ Vancouver Canucks
| Sabres moneyline odds | -115 |
| Canucks moneyline odds | -105 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-120), Under 6 (+100) |
| Time | 10:07 p.m. ET |
Odds courtesy of bet365.
- It’s impossible to escape the Quinn Hughes trade speculations in mainstream hockey media, and head coach Adam Foote noted that those rumours have crept into the locker room. With a 32nd-ranked points percentage of .417, it’s quickly become a lost season for the Canucks.
- The Sabres are 7-6-0 since Rasmus Dahlin’s return to the lineup, and have also been aided by the return of Zach Benson in that span. Josh Norris also briefly returned to the lineup, but is currently listed as day-to-day after leaving Tuesday’s matchup versus the Edmonton Oilers.
- Thatcher Demko has been confirmed as Vancouver’s starting goaltender in this matchup and will be returning from a month-long hiatus. Demko holds a .903 save percentage and 2.80 GAA in 10 appearances this season.
- The Canucks are just 4-9-1 on home ice, while the Sabres are 3-9-2 on the road.