Top NHL Picks and Predictions for Today (Two Overs Are in Play Tonight)
With the NFL season officially in the books, it's time to focus our betting on some other sports. Mainly, for me, that means more NHL wagers.
Monday night's slate is a small one, but there are three picks that I'm eyeing including a two-unit play.
All odds listed below are via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Blackhawks vs. Jets Prediction and Pick
The Blackhawks continue to be an embarrassment, and I think the Jets are getting ready to go on a run. Winnipeg is a -160 home favorite tonight, and I'm going to lay two units on the Jets to take care of business tonight.
You'll struggle to find as many teams that have been as bad as the Chicago Blackhawks as of late. Over their last 25 games, they're 27th in CORSI%, dead last in high danger scoring chances, and 24th in save percentage, and 22nd in shooting percentage.
Meanwhile, the Jets, whose record isn't impressive, as done alright from an analytical perspective and I wouldn't be surprised to see them go on a little run in the coming weeks. One of the most promising stats, is that they rank sixth in the NHL in expected goals per 60 minutes over their last 25 games at 3.35. They've had some issues finding the back of the net, but I expect them to sort that issue out and start scoring in bunches.
Pick: (2 units) Jets -160
Maple Leafs vs. Kraken Prediction and Pick
The Maple Leafs are set as sizable -240 favorites in their first ever meeting with the Kraken, but I'm going to look at the total instead.
Phillip Grubauer will likely be getting the start for the Kraken tonight, and he's had an abysmal season. He sports a 3.09 goals against average and a brutal save percentage of .887. Now he faces a Maple Leafs team that boasts one of the best offenses in the NHL, while also ranking second in shooting percentage over their last 25 games.
Meanwhile, Jack Campbell is getting the nod for the Maple Leafs, and despite a strong start to his season, Campbell has struggled mightily in recent weeks. He's allowed at least three goals in seven of his last eight starts.
In a matchup between two struggling goaltenders and at least one strong offense, I feel comfortable backing the OVER 6.5 goals.
Pick: OVER 6.5 (+105)
Oilers vs. Sharks Prediction and Pick
I'm backing the OVER for the second time tonight when the Sharks host the Oilers.
The OVER is 11-1 in the last 12 meetings between these two teams, and I'm going to back that trend to continue tonight. It's a matchup between a team with bad goaltending, and a team that's extremely poor defensively. Meanwhile, both teams have been strong offensively.
Mike Smith is likely to get the start for the Oilers tonight, and he's struggled since his return from injury. He's allowed at least three goals in four of his last five starts, and he sports a save percentage of .901 and a goals against average of 3.5.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have struggled defensively lately. They rank 20th in high danger scoring chances against over their last 25 games, and are also 23rd in expected goals against during that stretch. Offensively, they've been strong, ranking seventh in high danger scoring chances over the same time period.
A lot of signs point toward there being goals tonight, so that's where my money will be.
Pick: OVER 6 (-115)
Iain is 28-24-1 (+3.05 units) with his NHL picks in 2022. Check out his detailed record here.