Updated 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Odds Analysis

NHL Best Bets of the Week (February 8-14)

Written by on February 8, 2016

Hello, and welcome to this week’s installment of the best bets in the NHL, starting from Monday, February 08 to Sunday, February 14. The Chicago Blackhawks and the Washington Capitals still have a stranglehold of their respective conferences, making them the teams to watch, though we have a good number of teams also surging atop the rankings (like Tampa Bay, Florida, Dallas and Anaheim), so be sure to keep your eyes open and be anticipative of possible upsets in our online sportsbook’s own NHL odds and lines page.

Which Games Are The Best NHL Bets of the Week

New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, Monday, February 8

Despite owning a very average offense that is scoring just 2.2 goals per game, the Devils have been able to compete and hang with the best-of-the-best in the league, thanks to the great goaltending of Cory Schneider and an improved defense. Under their new general manager (Ray Shero) and new coach (John Hynes), Schneider has logged more minutes than any other goaltender in the NHL yet he still sports a solid 23-15-1 record with a stellar 0.929, which includes a 31-save performance in last Tuesday’s 3-2 win by New Jersey over the Rangers. It, however, remains to be seen if Scheider and the Devils will be able to stand against the fierce Rangers offense that has scored 7 goals in its two games since that loss. Not to mention, the New Yorkers also have a solid goalie in Henriq Lundqvist, who can contain New Jersey’s middling offense. Prediction and NHL Picks: Lundqvist outperforms Schneider and the Rangers (19-5-2) use their dependable home support to claim a win. Score Prediction: Rangers 2, Devils 1.

Los Angeles Kings at Boston Bruins, Tuesday, February 9

The Los Angeles Kings, in spite of losing to the Ducks in their last outing and going just 5-5 in their last 10 games, still own the best mark in the Pacific Division (31-17-3). On the other hand, Boston (28-18-6, 2nd in Atlantic Division) is coming off back-to-back wins over the Sabres, earning themselves 4 important points that bumped up the Bruins’ playoff chances. The problem, however, for Boston is that the Bruins have been very iffy at home. Put into perspective, Saturday’s 3-2 win over the lowly Sabres at TD Garden was the Bruins’ first home win of the 2016 calendar year, which doesn’t spell much confidence against a Kings team that has recorded more wins on the road (16) than at home (15). Prediction and NHL Picks: The Kings reign supreme in Boston for the win. Score Prediction: Los Angeles 4, Boston 2.

Ottawa Senators at Detroit Red Wings, Wednesday, February 10

The Red Wings put an end to their five-game (0-4-1) home losing skid, thanks to Saturday’s win over the Islanders, and are hoping to continue in winning ways when they host the Senators on Wednesday. Erik Karlsson has been super-awesome for Ottawa, and there is some hope in the way the Senators blew out Toronto in their last outing. But then again, with a leaky defense that is allowing the second-most goals in the league, Calder Trophy contender Dylan Larkin and Co. are likely to have a field day with tons of goals in this game. Prediction and NHL Picks: The Red Wings fly high with a big and comfortable win. Score Prediction: Detroit 6, Ottawa 1.

Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks, Thursday, February 11

When these two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference go against each other in this Central Division rivalry clash, you are guaranteed to have one of the best games of the week. Offensively, there is not much separating these two teams statistically, with Dallas (2nd in goals scored per game, 5th in power play %) having a slight edge over Chicago (6th in goals scored per game, 6th in power play %). However, the likely difference-maker here is that the Stars are ranked 20th in goals allowed per game while the Blackhawks are ranked 5th in the same category. In addition, the Blackhawks (riding on a three-game winning streak, 7-3-0 in their last 10) are enjoying a far-much better form than the Stars (4-5-1 in their last 10), which includes Chicago’s statement 5-1 win at Dallas on Saturday. At Chicago, where the Blackhawks own an NHL-best record of 21-5-1 this season, the win here should be all-but-obvious for the high-flying Hawks. Prediction and NHL Picks: Dallas keeps the scores respectable than their humbling Saturday defeat, but the Blackhawks still manage to claim the win. Score Prediction: Chicago 4: Dallas 2.

St. Louis at Florida Panthers, Friday, February 12

The Panthers are not just leading the Atlantic Division it’s that, they enter Monday’s games with an impressive point differential of plus-32 (+32), which is better than that of top teams in the nation like Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. The only team with a higher differential is Washington, but then again, that is no surprise as the Capitals were expected to be good this season, unlike the Panthers that were considered as underdogs. The Blues, meanwhile, have started to find their footing, going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, including the 4-1 win over Minnesota on Saturday. That being said, Roberto Luongo has been absolutely commanding between the pipes and Florida’s mean defense that is allowing just 2.2 goals per game (best in the NHL) will make things really hard for St. Louis’ offense that is ranked 24th in the nation (scoring 2.4 goals per game). It will thus be a big surprise if the Blues walk out of this game with a victory. Prediction and NHL Picks: Florida’s defense throttles St. Louis for a shutout win. Score Prediction: Florida 2, St. Louis 0.

Washington Capitals at Dallas Stars, Saturday, February 13

When the Caps are playing their true potential, the Washington Capitals are virtually unbeatable. In their last outing, Washington captain Alex Ovechkin scored a record-breaking 30th goal of the season in the 3-2 win over the Flyers, and Braden Holtby made several dab-worthy saves, stopping 33 of 35 shots while recording his league-leading 33rd win. The Caps, however, were far from perfect in that game, something that could open a window for Dallas to deliver an upset. Yes, the Stars have been careless with the puck of late (they had 14 official giveaways in Saturday’s loss to Chicago), but they are still one of the best home teams in the nation, sporting a 19-7-0 mark in Dallas, so bettors should not write off the Stars from pulling an upset here. Prediction and NHL Picks: Washington gives a spirited effort, but Dallas manages to hold tight for a tight thrilling win. Score Prediction: Dallas 3, Washington 2.
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Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings, Sunday, February 14

Like the Boston, Detroit is right in the thick of things in the Atlantic Division and neither of the two teams can afford to give the other team any points. Unfortunately, something’s gotta give here. The fact that Jonas Gustavsson will already be back and he will be going against his former team should be a big motivation for the win here. Obviously, Detroit is never easy to beat at home, but with the kind of form the Bruins are enjoying (7-2-1 in their last 10, 2-game winning streak entering the week), this game looks ripe for an upset by the visitors. Prediction and NHL Picks: A back-and-forth affair ensues and Boston just about manages to hang on for a tight win, with the possibility of game going beyond regulation time. Score Prediction: Boston 4, Detroit 3.