Thursday NHL Betting Lines Analysis

Better NHL Betting Advice

By Angelo Montilla

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

Edmonton Oilers (-128) vs. San Jose Sharks (+116)

Already having locked up post-season berths, the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks will face off on Thursday night with one thing on their minds: home ice advantage.

The Oilers — winners of three straight games and seven of their last 10 — enter action on Thursday as the -128 favorites on home ice, where the club has only dropped 12 games all season long. The Sharks snapped a lengthy losing streak and head to Edmonton as intriguing +116 underdogs.

In only his second season in the NHL, sophomore sensation Connor McDavid is closing in on his first scoring title. The Oilers’ star forward leads the league with 89 points heading into their matchup against the Sharks. Expect the Oilers to throw everything at Sharks goaltender Martin Jones as the club sits eighth in shots for per game with an average of 30.9.

The Sharks have dominated this head-to-head series over the last 10 meetings, winning six of those matches while averaging 3.10 goals per game during that stretch.

The total goals projection for Thursday’s Pacific Division clash is set at 5.5. While the Oilers generate a lot of offense, take the over in this contest with San Jose earning the road win.

Pick: San Jose Sharks (+116) and the Under (5.5)

Philadelphia Flyers (-125) vs. New York Islanders (+113)

Time is running out for the New York Islanders, who are looking to lock down a wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With two straight losses, they will look to snap out of their mini funk on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers on the road.

The Flyers enter the contest as -125 favorites on home ice, where the club has played their best hockey this season. The Islanders, who can’t afford to come out of this game without at least a single point, are +113 underdogs.

The Isles have been able to put goals on the scoreboard, but unfortunately haven’t figured out a way to keep them out of their own net. The Islanders have allowed the fifth most goals against in the NHL, averaging 2.99 per game.

In head-to-head action over the last 10 meetings, it’s the Flyers who’ve skated away with a 6-2-2 record during that span.

The total for this match has been set at 5.5, but expect a high-scoring affair when these two clubs meet. The Flyers will come out on top, further crippling the Isles’ chances of locking up a playoff spot.

Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (-125) and the Over (5.5)

Minnesota Wild (-160) vs. Ottawa Senators (+144)

Despite having already clinched a playoff spot, the Minnesota Wild picked a lousy time to go on a losing skid. With just one victory in their last 10, the Wild host the defensive-minded Ottawa Senators at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Wild have played their best hockey on home ice, which is why oddsmakers have the club as -160 favorites heading into the highly anticipated matchup. The Senators, who have yet to lock up a playoff berth, head to Minnesota as enticing +144 underdogs.

Both of these clubs focus on defense first and it shows in the stats as the Wild and Senators are among the league leaders in fewest goals against, allowing 2.54 and 2.55 per game, respectively.

Three of the four NHL leaders in plus-minus play for the Wild, led by Ryan Suter, who has a +33 rating this season.

The Senators have owned the head-to-head matchup over the last 10 games, defeating the Wild seven times during that stretch.

The total goals projection has been set at 5.5 but don’t take the over when these two clubs clash on Thursday.

Pick: Minnesota Wild (-160) and the Under (5.5)

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : hockey betting , National Hockey League predictions , nhl odds

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