NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Vegas Golden Knights (12-6-8) at New Jersey Devils (16-10-1)
Betting Line: Golden Knights (-130) at Devils (+110) – Total 6 (Under, -115)
7 p.m. ET
After going (9-0-1) on home ice in their first 10 games to start the season, the Devils have lost three in a row, all in regulation, in the “not so friendly” confines of UBS Arena. They will try to stop the bleeding tonight against a Golden Knights team that has won back-to-back games after dropping their previous four contests.
As of 10:35 am Pacific, it is unclear who Vegas will start in goal tonight, as the Knights recalled goalie Jesper Vikman from the Henderson Silver Knights. The prevailing thought is that either Akira Schmid or Carter Hart is dealing with something. Hart made his return to the NHL on Tuesday in the Vegas 4-3 overtime win over Chicago. New Jersey has announced that Jacob Markstrom will start in goal for the Devils.
That being said, I am just going to go with some props for tonight’s game. Mark Stone has picked up a point in all 10 games this season, and rookie Braeden Bowman has points (9) in seven of his last 10 games. Ivan Barbashev has had at least two shots on goal in five of his last six games overall and five of his last six versus New Jersey. Defenseman Noah Hanifin has enjoyed some success against the Devils with points in five straight and six of the last seven meetings. For New Jersey, I will have some additional props later in the day once I sort through some additional information. For now, Stefan Noesen is up on the top line, and Bet MGM has the best price for an anytime goal prop (+600) for the Devils forward.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Bowman/Stone point parlay (+247) – .50 units
Ivan Barbashev Over 1.5 shots on goal (-110) – .25 units
Noah Hanifin Over ½ assist (+164) – .15 units
Stefan Noesen anytime goal (+600) – .10 units
San Jose Sharks (13-12-3) at Dallas Stars (18-5-5)
Betting Line: Sharks (+220) at Stars (-275) – Total 6 (Over, -120)
8 p.m. ET
The Sharks come into Dallas fresh off a 7-1 shellacking at the hands of the Washington Capitals. They face a Stars team that has defeated them six straight times, though three of the games did go past regulation.
If not for the incredible start to the season, the Dallas Stars, second overall in the NHL points race, would be talked about a lot more. Dallas has won five of their last six games and 13 of 17. Forward Jason Robertson (17 goals) has goals in 10 of his last 12 games, and Wyatt Johnston’s 12 power play goals are the most in the NHL this season. Johnston has seven goals in nine games versus the Sharks and has scored in four of his past five meetings between the two teams.
Seven of the last nine meetings have had a combined seven or more goals, and six of the nine meetings have seen the first period Over 1.5 goals cash as well. Nine of the Sharks’ last 10 games have also seen the first period Over 1.5 goals fly Over the total. I will also be on the Stars to score at least one power play goal tonight. The Stars have the number one power play on home ice (40% success rate). The Sharks are 28th on the penalty kill (73.2%) on the road.
On to the player props. The Sharks Macklin Celebrini has 40 points this season and only trails Nathan MacKinnon in the points race (46). William Eklund, who plays on the Sharks’ second line and top power play, has points in five of his six games against the Stars. I am also going to take a stab at the recently recalled Pavol Regenda, who has goals in consecutive games. Roope Hintz has six goals and 10 points in 11 games versus the Sharks, Wyatt Johnston has seven goals and 13 points in nine games against the Sharks, and goals in four of his last five versus the Sharks.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
San Jose Sharks/Dallas Stars 1stPeriod Over 1.5 (-130) – .50 units
San Jose Sharks/Dallas Stars Over 6 (-120) – .50 units
San Jose Sharks Over ½ power play goal (-135) – 1 unit
Celebrini/Eklund point parlay (+218) – .25 units
Pavol Regenda anytime goal (+850) – .05 units
Wyatt Johnston anytime goal (+135) – .10 units
Johnston/Hintz/Robertson/Heiskenan/Benn pt parlay (+938) – .05 units
Mikko Rantanen Over 2.5 SOG (-136) – .50 units
