Betsided

NHL Best Bets Today (Islanders and Senators are Built for Goals)

By Iain MacMillan

Nov 7, 2022; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (8) celebrates with
Nov 7, 2022; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (8) celebrates with / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

A goal in the final seconds of regulation that eventually led to an overtime loss kept us from a 3-0 Sunday sweep. Still, I went 2-1 with my best bets yesterday and the hot streak continues.

We only have four NHL games to bet on today, but that doesn't find I can't find a few winners for us to bet on. Let's dive into my three best bets for Monday night.

NHL Best Bets Record-to-Date

  • 47-40 (+6.65 units)

NHL Best Bets for Today (Monday, November 14)

  • Islanders/Senators OVER 6 (-120)
  • Kings/Flames UNDER 6 (+100)
  • Hurricanes -1.5 (+120) vs. Blackhawks

Islanders/Senators OVER 6

Both the New York Islanders and the Ottawa Senators are the types of teams that make me want to bet the OVER. Heading into their game tonight, they rank sixth and seventh in 5-on-5 expected goals for per 60 minutes and 26th and 31st in expected goals against per 60 minutes.

What leads to those figures, is wide open styles of play and a lack of defense. They give up a ton of high-danger scoring chances each game, ranking 27th and 28th in high-danger scoring chances allowed.

Every stat you look at, both offensive and defensive, leads me to believe we're going to see plenty of goals tonight.

Kings/Flames UNDER 6

Everything I said about the Islanders and Senators, the opposite is true for the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames. The Kings have been a defensive juggernaut this season, ranking third in 5-on-5 expected goals against per 60 minutes. The Flames have yet to live up to their potential from last season, but they're trending in the right direction and still ranks inside the top half of the NHL in defensive stats.

Where the Flames lack in defense, they make up for in lack of shooting, in terms of the UNDER cashing for us. They rank 26th in 5-on-5 shooting percentage, scoring on only 7.27 percent of their shots.

I'll take the UNDER in this Western Conference matchup.

Hurricanes -1.5 vs. Blackhawks

Some people might argue this is a game between the best team in the NHL and the worst team. That statement is true when it comes to CORSI%. The Hurricanes lead the league in 5-on-5 CORSI% and the Blackhawks come in at last place.

Chicago's complete lack of offense is going to prevent them from keeping up with the high-octane Hurricanes teams. They've been able to score on the powerplay, but they're 31st in 5-on-5 goals per game at 1.82.

That's not going to get it done against Carolina. I'll back the Hurricanes to win big.

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Home/NHL Predictions & Picks