Top Shelf Picks: Best NHL Bets Today (Don't Lose Faith in Oilers)
It's a short NHL slate on Monday night with just two games set to take place.
That means I have a pick locked in for both games, one of which is on the Edmonton Oilers who have a inexplicable 3-9-1 record on the year. They're coming off a 4-1 win against the Kraken and I think they'll continue to get right tonight when they host the Islanders.
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Best NHL Picks for Today
- Oilers -170 vs. Islanders
- Avalanche -145 at Kraken
Oilers -170 vs. Islanders
The Oilers somehow someway are sitting at 3-9-1 despite being one of the best teams in the league when it comes to metrics. For example, when you look at their 5-on-5 numbers they rank second in CORSI% (57.91%) and first in expected goal differential per 60 minutes at +0.89.
That's a stark difference compared to their actual 5-on-5 goal differential per 60 minutes of -0.89. I refuse to believe those types of numbers will continue. They're playing way too well to be 3-9-1.
Better goaltending and better shooting is going to be the key to them turning their season around, and I think their win on Saturday will help them carry some momentum into tonight. I'll back them as home favorites against a very average Islanders team.
Avalanche -145 at Kraken
The Colorado Avalanche are an elite team in the NHL this season. In 5-on-5 play, they rank third in CORSI%, well above the Kraken who come in at 17th. They're also third in expected goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play at +0.62, while the Kraken are at -0.6 in that stat.
The only thing holding the Kraken back has been poor goaltending, but I expect the likes of Alexander Georgiev to turn things around sooner rather than later.
I'll back the Avs as road favorites tonight.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
You can check out all of Iain's bets here!