NHL picks: Calgary at Boston Could Feature Plenty of Goals
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The NHL week rolls on with 10 games on Thursday night. Ontario sports bettors should be intrigued that all the Canadian teams are on the road tonight. Could that offer some incredible value or risks to be taken?
Let’s get on with some of what went wrong and a little right last night.
What Went Wrong And Right
The night started with a thud for Carolina. Someone forgot to plug in the Hurricanes because they did nothing all night. There is an emphasis on the word nothing. Pittsburgh snapped its losing streak, and Montreal covered along with the Over. That made the reverse live bet on the Puckline and Over sweeter.
Even the Minnesota team Over of 3.5 goals was a success. If only Anaheim had scored a few more goals. Alas, that was not meant to be.
Let’s get moving on. This will be brief!
Calgary Flames at Boston Bruins
The Flames (5-5-2) and Bruins (11-2) rumble on Thursday. This game could feature some offence. These two teams have the firepower and play similarly. Also, Milan Lucic gets to play against his former team once more. Boston also gets to say hello to Nazem Kadri again. That will be fun.
Calgary’s problem is that they just cannot finish games. Look at the past two contests in particular. The Flames had a 3-1 lead against the New York Islanders. They lost. The Flames held a 2-1 lead (with the help of two disallowed goals) versus New Jersey. They lost again. That is a big part of why the Flames are currently on a six-game losing streak. At some point, this is a team that has to win. The problem for Calgary is this is not an ideal matchup.
For further insult, Charlie McAvoy is returning tonight for Boston after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery. McAvoy might be a bit rusty, but it will take little time to get acclimated. Boston will have almost its full lineup for the first time this season. This is all set against a backdrop where Calgary needs a win in the worst way. Also, all three Canadian teams are underdogs on the Moneyline (in the 2.30 to 2.60 range).
Bettors in Canada should take a small-unit risk here on that moneyline. The Over looks to be entrenched at 6.0 goals (1.87). Now, it may budge slightly but do not hold one’s breath. That said, Calgary needs the win far more than Boston does now.
These two teams have offence, physicality, and the ability to play downhill. Can Calgary hold the lead once they get one? That is the big question.
Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils
With three Canadian teams in action tonight, we can't be choosy. Don't fret. We saved a streaky one for the readers. That is correct. The Ottawa Senators are mired in a six-game losing streak of their own.
Ottawa has cooled off scoring lately. The Senators have only eight goals over the last three contests. New Jersey, in contrast, finds ways to score timely goals even when officials take them off the board. In their game versus Calgary on Tuesday. New Jersey tallied five times but only three counted. Fortunately, the third goal was the one they needed in a 3-2 home win.
The Devils have caught fire, winning nine of their previous 10 games. Even without Ondrej Palat and Mackenzie Blackwood, New Jersey keeps getting contributions from players like Miles Wood and Captain Nico Hischier. Vitek Vanecek has held the fort in goal. He stopped more than 30 shots on Tuesday night in the win. Vanecek figures to start against Anton Forsberg, who was confirmed in advance.
Ottawa has a dangerous offence but has been misfiring. Claude Giroux leads the team with seven goals, and Brady Tkachuk has six. Injuries have impacted the Senators, but there is potential. New Jersey and Ottawa have an odd history, and the Senators perform well at the Prudential Center. Ottawa has scored seven goals the last two times there and has won three straight meetings.
Ottawa, in regulation, is up to 3.47. The Under at 2.00 may be too risky. With 6.5 goals, that needs to be a hair higher. The Senators’ Moneyline is something to watch.
Edmonton Oilers at Carolina Hurricanes
Edmonton and Carolina could be the most chaotic game of the night. No one has any clue how this may go. Carolina looked almost lifeless at times last night in a loss to Florida. Edmonton is on their third game in four nights out East. They just lost Evander Kane for 3-4 months. Kane’s wrist was cut badly by a skate and needed immediate surgery. The winger will not be easy to replace.
No one is surprised if this game moves to 7.0 goals for the Over. Some bettors and pundits joked that this might happen as soon as lunchtime. Looking at that early number for the Under around 2.05 indicates it may be less likely. If anything, this game is either a struggle for goals or both defences struggle. The usual shot and point props for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl must be focused on. That is Edmonton right now.
Carolina, on the Puckline, is an attractive danger pick for tonight at 2.65.
Some Random Wagers For Canadian Sports Bettors Tonight
Here are some early ideas:
- Watch for line movements tonight, especially in Carolina and New Jersey.
- Senators by 1 - 10.00 (four of the last five meetings decided by one goal).
- Leon Draisaitl Over 0.5 PowerPlay points - Check for the number later.
- Senators in regulation - 3.47 - This could move lower.
- Carolina Hurricanes Puckline - 2.51.
- Calgary Nazem Kadri anytime goal - 2.75 (This will move!).
Good luck. There may be a few more plays via social media later (and live bets) today. Look out for John Ryan’s hockey pick of the day, also. Thanks for reading!
Numbers are via Sports Interaction and BetMGM.
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