While the calendar turning to October makes us all too aware that the colder months of the year are coming, it also lets us know that hockey is back. The first week of the 2017 NHL season is in the books, and we have had some fireworks early on. The Toronto Maple Leafs are proving that last season was not a fluke, and it would appear that Alexander Ovechkin has his eyes on the goal scoring prize, as the big Russian has netted 7 times in his opening two games of the season, one huge reason to consider them as one of your NHL betting picks for this week.
With each NHL team needing to play 82 games in a season, it’s way too early to talk about winners and losers, but it’s never too soon to try and start picking some winners. Let’s look at some of the NHL Odds for the second week of action to see if we can bank some cash from our top professional picks.
Top NHL Betting Picks of the Week & Expert Analysis
Monday – Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (OVER)
It’s fair to suggest that we are going to see some fireworks in this game, as both of these Original Six teams are off to red-hot starts. The Blackhawks and Leafs have both scored 15 goals through their opening two games of the year, although Chicago has also been solid defensively, surrendering just 2 goals compared to the 7 that the Leafs have given up. Chicago won both meetings versus Toronto last season, with both being decided by a single goal. Another close one here, but one that delivers a lot of goals and goes OVER.Latest NHL Betting Trends
- Blackhawks are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games on the road
- Blackhawks 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road
- Chicago is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto
- Maple Leafs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
- Maple Leafs are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chicago
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 games
Tuesday – Detroit Red Wings over Dallas Stars
These two franchises have been on the decline over the last couple of seasons, but Detroit has started this season well, winning both of their games thus far. The news is not so good in Dallas, where the Stars are 0-2 and have managed just 3 goals in those games. This one figures to be on the low scoring side, and while Detroit was beaten handily in their visit to Dallas last season, I think they pull out the win in this one, that’s why they have to be on your NHL Betting Picks roster for Week 2.Latest NHL Betting Trends
- Detroit is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
- Dallas is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Dallas’s last 13 games
Wednesday – Calgary Flames over LA Kings
I’m trying to find some value this week by looking for games where the road team might be able to come up with the win. This one is a bit iffy given how these two teams have started the season, but I’m taking into account the fact that the Flames got the better of this series last year. Calgary was shut out in the opening game of the season but hit Winnipeg for 6 in their second game. They will have a tougher time breaking down a Kings D that has only surrendered a single goal, but I think they pull it off, so consider them as one of your NHL Betting Picks.
Latest NHL Betting Trends
- Flames are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games
- Flames are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games
- Calgary is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- Kings are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games
- Kings are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on the road
- Los Angeles is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Thursday – San Jose Sharks over Buffalo Sabres
When you have teams from opposing conferences going head to head, you end up with a situation where there is not much to go on, as they only play each other twice per season. These two teams split their meetings in 2016, and it was the home team who came away with the win in each of those games. Neither team is off to a very good start, but I think the trend from last year carries over and the Sharks come away with the win on home ice.Latest NHL Betting Trends
- Sabres are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games
- Sabres are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games
- The total has gone OVER in 9 of Buffalo’s last 13 games at home
- Sharks are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
- Sharks are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games
- San Jose is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Friday – Anaheim Ducks over Colorado Avalanche
The Anaheim Ducks are once again likely to be the favorites to win the Pacific Division and are off to a decent 1-0-1 start. This coming Friday will see them take a trip to Colorado to face an Avalanche team that they beat in all 3 meetings last season. The Avs only managed 3 total goals in those games, and don’t really look as though they are going to be particularly good again this year. This looks like an easy win for Anaheim, a must name in your NHL Betting Picks list.Latest NHL Betting Trends
- Colorado 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of Colorado’s last 15 games
- Ducks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
- Ducks are 15-8 SU in their last 23 games
- Anaheim is 1-11 ATS in its last 12 games at home
