Happy Saturday everyone out there in the NHL betting universe! Before we get into business here I want to shoutout my wife Monica whose birthday is today! Let's try to use some of that birthday magic today as we are in for a busy slate tonight as 15 games are set to drop the puck around the league and that means plays galore! I'm not going to get too much dip on my chip tonight but there are 4 wagers that I have locked in on my slips tonight and if you like the rationale feel free to tail. Good luck as always to all out there betting these games and see you back on Monday after all the NFL on Sunday!

  • Thursday's Record 1-3
  • Season Record: 14-17-1
  • Bankroll: -3.62 units

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**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

NHL Best Bets for November 4

Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers

It may only be November but its full on panic time for the Oilers as they play game number 10 of this season. They come into tonight 2-6-1 and while a handful of games came without Connor McDavid they need to buckle down starting tonight against Nashville. The Predators are an interesting team too and should be a middle of the pack team but their glaring weakness is the offense as they rank 3rd to last in expected goals per 60 minutes at 1.57! In actuality they score more than that of course but the numbers are stale and as hungry as the Oilers will be it could be trouble. The Oilers by comparison are 17th in xGF but rank 2nd in CF% which is a possession metric. The Oilers are mega due and they should wrap this one up in regulation today. 

Pick: Edmonton Oilers 60-Min Money Line (-115 on BetMGM)

 

Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks

I apoligize in advance to those that hate betting the under in any sport but sometimes the numbers push you in that direction and in this matchup that is what I am seeing! It all really boils down to the goaltending matchup for the Stars and Canucks as Jake Oettinger goes against Thatcher Demko, at least those are the projected starters. Oettinger is becoming a household name at this point with his stellar play and holds a 1.95 GAA at the moment. On the other end Demko is having a great bounce back campaign thus far with a 1.78 GAA and .940 SV%. These are two goalies at the top of their games and we all know the Stars prefer to play defense first hockey whenever they are able so let's fade the total in this game tonight and take the under. 

Pick: Stars & Canucks Game Total Under 6.5 Goals (-130 on PointsBet)

Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators

For every under bet there should be an over wager right? Well look no further to this matchup between the Lightning and Senators in what should be a barn burner with these two offenses! The Lightning are putting up numbers out of necessity right now as their goaltending is in the crapper but none the less they are scoring 3.4 goals per game. On the Ottawa side they are the 4th highest scoring team in the NHL at the moment with 3.78 goals per game and on their backend Joonas Korpisalo is allowing 3.18 goals per game. Through these stats the two teams have a combined record of 13-6 to the over on game totals this season and I don't see the trends getting bucked tonight so let's go ahead and hammer this over!

Pick: Lightning & Senators Game Total Over 6.5 Goals (-130 on Caesars)

 

Pittsburgh Penguins at San Jose Sharks

Much like the Edmonton Oilers the Penguins have reached a breaking point and tonight against the Sharks could be the last straw for the Mike Sullivan era if they lose. I have seen no news to back this up just a feeling but things have got to even out at some point for the Penguins and all their talent and I think it happens tonight. The Penguins are 2nd in the NHL in xGF/60 this season behind just the Oilers yet they are averaging under 3 goals per game. I know that analytics aren't everything but man have the Penguins been unlucky. This is why I won't be betting on them to win but I will be backing them to score 4+ goals tonight as the Sharks allow 4.4 goals per game which is dead last in the NHL this season. 

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins Team Total Over 3.5 Goals (-145 on BetMGM)