NHL Best Betting Lines of The Week (February 2-7)

The pathetic excuse of a break from the National Hockey League, popularly known to you as the NHL All-Star Weekend, is in the books, meaning we are back to serious and meaningful business in the NHL odds. So, without further ado, let’s skate our way into the ice with these hot NHL games.

These Are the Games that Every NHL Betting Fan Should Put in His Agenda

Florida at Washington, Tuesday, February 2

The Capitals are having a season for the ages, sporting a 35-8-4 record with 74 points, their best start in franchise history. Their dominant stranglehold on the Metropolitan Division currently places them 15 points ahead of the New York Rangers, which also makes them the best team in the Eastern Conference. That dominance will however be sternly tested this Tuesday by the Florida Panthers, who sit closest to the Caps in the East, 11 points back. The Panthers have won their last three straight games, including their manhandling 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs in their last outing. Even more notably, the Panthers have scored 14 total goals in those three games, while their NHL-best defense (allowing just 2.2 goals per game) has stayed steady as ever. It, however, remains to be seen how this defense will hold up against Washington’s offense that leads the NHL in scoring (3.32 goals per game) and also has the best power play in the league (26.8 percent efficiency). Not to forget, the Caps are just as good defensively, allowing the second fewest goals (2.18 per game) and owning a fourth-best 84.7 kill percent of their penalties. With such a balance, the Caps (7-1-2 in their last 10 games) should have a slight edge for a narrow win in a highly-likely low-scoring affair. Line: Washington Capitals -155 NHL Picks: Washington Wins, Score: Washington 2, Florida 1  

Detroit at Tampa Bay, Wednesday, February 3

Tampa Bay is playing absolutely lights-out right now, bolting anyone and everyone in their path. In fact, after winning eight of their last nine, including a win the highly-rated Chicago, I can guarantee you that you won’t find any team playing better than Tampa Bay is doing at the moment. The Red Wings haven’t been bad, either, but their average offense (20th in goals per game, 18th in power play percentage) is hurting the winning potential. This could be a big problem against Tampa Bay that boasts of stellar talents on both sides of the ball, led by Steven Stamkos (21 goals and 17 assists season) and budding goaltender Andrei Vasilevsky. Oh, and the Bolts have proven that they can score (130 goals this season), play defense (49.4 shots against allowed per 60 minutes, seventh-best at even strength), and take care of business in goaltending: .882 and .929 save percentages at short-handed and even strength, respectively. Line: To Be Announced NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Wins, Score: Tampa Bay 3, Detroit 2  

Minnesota at NY Rangers , Thursday, February 4

While the Rangers (27-17-5, 2nd in Metropolitan Division) entered the All-Star break on a resounding winning note, their season so far has been pretty average, by their standards. Still, with a pretty soft schedule in their next five games (Flyers, Pens, Wild, and Devils twice), the Rangers should be able to establish a bit of some winning streak, including a win over the pitiful Minnesota team that won only three of its 13 games in January for a measly eight points.

Line: To Be Announced NHL Betting Prediction: NY Rangers Win, Score: Rangers 4, Minnesota 0

 

Arizona at Anaheim, Friday, February 5

Outside Anaheim’s off-field concerns–Clayton Stoner was illegally hunting bears and Shawn Horcoff was banned for using PEDs—the Ducks have been handling their own in the field, paced by their No.1-ranked penalty kill percentage. Not only are the Ducks 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, but they also brag of having won their last three games in a row, including the 6-2 blowout win over the Bruins before the All-Star weekend. The Coyotes, meanwhile, are struggling mightily on the defense (26th-ranked in goals against) while the offense lacks a sense of direction (the Coyotes entered the All-Star break scoring two of fewer goals in six of their last seven games). Added to the fact that the Coyotes are just 11-11-2 on the road this season; Anaheim looks most likely to get the win here. Line: To Be Announced Betting Prediction: Anaheim Wins, Score: Anaheim 5, Arizona 2

Chicago at Dallas, Saturday, February 6

After a hot start to the season, the Blackhawks (33-16-4, 1st in Central Division) have cooled down considerably, especially on offense where they have scored just three goals in the last four games. Making matters worse is that their All-Star center Jonathan Toews is nursing an injury, which saw him miss the All-Star game, resulting in an automatic one-game suspension from the NHL. Even so, there is still tons of talent in the Windy City, enough to give fits to any opponent. For Dallas (31-14-5, 2nd in Central Division), the Stars haven’t been shining as bright for them recently (3-6-2 in January), but they did enter the break with a win. More notably, the Stars are impressively 19-6-0 at home this season, the second-best mark in the league, which should be a big motivation for them to stick it out against the no-longer highly-flying Hawks. Line: To Be Announced NHL Picks: Dallas Wins, Score: Dallas 2, Chicago 0

Carolina at Montreal, Sunday, February 7

The Canadiens had an incredible start to the season, rattling off nine straight wins en route to an 18-4-3 mark before the first of December. Unfortunately for them, they lost their star goaltender Carey Price and the offense has been suffering from a lack of leadership, leading to an iffy performance from them. Nonetheless, Montreal’s offense still produces the fourth most attempts per 60 minutes (56.5) and their defense allows the fifth fewest attempts (49.3), something that could prove pivotal in their home-standing clash against Carolina. Plus, John Scott is coming off an MVP performance in the All-Star game, meaning he (along with his teammates) will probably want to rally around that achievement for a good game this weekend. On the opposite camp, Carolina is enjoying arguably its best run of the season, having won the last two games to take the team’s record to 7-2-1 in the last 10. Goaltender Cam Ward has also been activated, so he will get some extra time to recover from his concussion. With that, the ‘Canes have more than enough tools to blow their way to a win over the out-of-sorts Canadiens. Line: To Be Announced NHL Picks: Carolina Wins, Score: Carolina 3, Montreal 1