Fansided

NHL best bets today (Islanders strong underdog play)

By Iain MacMillan

Mar 7, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) congratulates New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) on the 3-2 victory over Buffalo Sabres after the game at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) congratulates New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) on the 3-2 victory over Buffalo Sabres after the game at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

We have a packed NHL schedule this week as teams enter their final 10 games of the regular season.

Monday has a six game slate tonight, and as always, my best bets for the action are locked in. I have three plays for tonight, so let’s jump right into them.

NHL best bets today

  • Canadiens/Sabres OVER 7 (+100)
  • Islanders +110 vs. Devils
  • Avalanche/Ducks OVER 6.5 (-115)

Canadiens/Sabres OVER 7 (+100)

The Montreal Canadiens shooting has been red hot lately. Over their last 10 games, they rank second in the NHL in shooting percentage, scoring on 15.26% of their shots on goal. As a result of that hot shooting, paired with poor goaltending, the Canadiens have an average combined total of 7.97 goals scored in their games over that same stretch.

The Sabres also have had some terrible goaltending, ranking 31st in team save percentage.

Good shooting and bad goaltending is a recipe for an OVER bet.

Islanders +110 vs. Devils

The New Jersey Devils shooting numbers have dipped in a major way over the past few weeks, scoring on just 8.38% of their shots on net over their last 10 games, which ranks 26th in the NHL over that stretch.

Tonight is not a good time for them to bounce back in that department, as they have to face Islanders goaltender, Ilya Sorokin, who has a .933 save percentage when playing on his home ice this season.

I think that results in the Islanders being a strong underdog bet at +110.

Avalanche/Ducks OVER 6.5 (-115)

The Colorado Avalanche are rolling with Jonas Johansson in between the pipes tonight, and he’s quite simply not a good goaltender. He has an .884 save percentage and a 3.40 goals against average in his career.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have been terrible in their own end lately, ranking 28th in expected goals against per 60 minutes over their last 10 games.

I think we’re going to see plenty of goals in this Western Conference matchup tonight.

–

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.