Better Saturday NHL Bets

Saturday night NHL betting preview

By Angelo Montilla

Here are a few NHL betting options to consider, with odds courtesy of BetOnline.

Ottawa Senators (-130) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (+116)

We all remember what happened the last time the Maple Leafs paid a visit to the Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators. Rookie sensation Auston Matthews made his NHL debut by netting four goals in a tough loss.

The Leafs will look for a similar performance from Matthews on Saturday night when club goes back to Ottawa to face the Sens in an Atlantic Division clash.

The Senators have won back-to-back games and head into Saturday’s contest as -130 favorites on home ice, where they boast a 13-6-4 record. The red-hot Leafs — winners of seven of their last 10 games — are enticing +116 underdogs.

The Leafs — with the youngest lineup in the NHL — continue to turn heads this season as the club sits just two points out of a playoff spot. Matthews, who is vying for the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year, has points in nine of his last 10 games.

Head-to-head, the Senators have defeated the Maple Leafs seven times over their last 10 meetings in the Battle of Ontario. Toronto has not beat Ottawa since April 5, 2015.

Considering an over/under wager? BetOnline’s total goals projection is set at 5.5, but expect a tighter affair on Saturday, with the Leafs pulling out a hard-fought win.

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs (+116) and the Under (5.5)

Minnesota Wild (-119) vs. Dallas Stars (+110)

Is there a better goalie in the NHL right now than Devan Dubnyk? The answer is no.

Dubnyk, who is having a Hart Trophy-worthy season, will once again look to carry the Minnesota Wild to another victory on Saturday night when they hit the road for a match against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Arena.

The Wild, winners of two straight and eight of their last 10 games, head to the Lone Star State as expected -119 favorites. The Stars, who are fading out of the playoff picture, are +110 underdogs on home ice, where they’ve played their best hockey of the season.

It will be a tough task for the Stars, who will have to face Dubnyk — the NHL’s leader in goals-against average (1.77) and save percentage (.940). Dubnyk also sits second in wins with 22 and second in shutouts with five.

Don’t base your decision on head-to-head meetings, where the Stars have a slight advantage winning six times over the last 10 games.

The over/under line for Saturday’s contest between the Central Division rivals is set at 5.5 but don’t expect a high-scoring game, especially if Dubnyk is between the pipes.

Pick: Minnesota Wild (-119) and the Under (5.5)

Los Angeles Kings (-191) vs. Winnipeg Jets (+172)

Two clubs trying to stay in the playoff picture will do battle on Saturday night when the Los Angeles Kings play host to the struggling Winnipeg Jets at Staples Center.

The Kings, who have won just five of their last 10, enter Saturday’s contest as -191 favorites on home ice. The Jets, who are missing their star rookie Patrik Laine, head to California as +172 underdogs.

The Kings pride themselves for being one of the best defensive teams in hockey and the numbers prove that. The club have allowed the sixth fewest goals against in the NHL surrendering on average 2.45 tallies per game. That is without No. 1 goaltender Jonathan Quick, who suffered a long-term groin injury at the start of the season. Stalwart blue-liner Drew Doughty has been carrying much of the defensive load with 67 blocked shots this season.

The head-to-head matchup has actually tipped in favor of the Jets, who have defeated the Kings six times over the last 10 meetings.

But the Kings are just too good at home. If you’re betting the point spread, look for the -1.5 favored Kings to cover.

Pick: Los Angeles Kings (-191) and cover -1.5

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : nhl betting , nhl odds , saturday night hockey

More articles...