As the days go by in this young NHL season things are starting to swing back in our favor on the betting front! I think the presence of usable data is a big reason why as we are now getting a peak at who these teams might be this season but also things are looking up because the process is sound and winning is inevitable! Tonight I will try to go over .500 on the NHL betting season with a perfect night between my trio of best bets in which you will find an over, an under and a plus money Money Line from a home underdog. Good luck to all out there and enjoy this giant slate of NHL action this evening!

  • Season Record: 4-6-0
  • Bankroll: -1.65 units

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**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

NHL Best Bets for October 19

Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers

This one should be a real barn burner in a rematch of last season's playoff series that saw plenty of fireworks with star players a plenty! Starting with the road side in the Maple Leafs they have started the season like you would expect with 14 total goals over 3 games and hitting the over in 2 of those games. They have been powered by Auston Matthews who has 2 hat tricks under his belt already and he is in a good spot to score some more tonight. 

Over on the Panthers side, they have had some higher scoring games too with 8 goals over the past 2 games and having hit the over in those games as well. I see an over of course just looking at the simple stats but looking deeper it looks even more promising. Ilya Samsonov will start for the Maple Leafs with his 4.39 GAA and Sergei Bobrobsky will go for Florida with his 3.41 GAA. Both have been inconsistent goaltenders over the years and it is showing early on this season. Both teams are in the top half of Corsi % as well, which means they shoot the puck often and that'll help our cause on hitting the over tonight. 

Pick: Maple Leafs & Panthers Over 6.5 Goals (-140 on FanDuel)

 

Carolina Hurricanes at Seattle Kraken

It's been a rough start to the season for the Seattle Kraken on the heels of a highly successful season and postseason run as they have yet to win a game through 4 chances so far. Part of the reason has been the schedule as they started on a 3-game road trip and then played the home opener against the Colorado Avalanche. Things have a way of swinging back to the norm though and this team is too good to keep losing as it's currently constructed. 

Tonight's matchup is not an easy one by any means but the Hurricanes have been on the West Coast for over a week now and that can start to take its toll on an East Coast club. They are also a bit banged up as Sebastian Aho missed their last game and star goaltender Frederick Andersen hasn't played yet this season. This matchup is more 50/50 than the books are pricing it at as well so there is value to be had on the Kraken side of things. Let's roll with them on the Money Line tonight as they look for their first win on the season. 

Pick: Seattle Kraken Money Line (+125 on Bet365)

 

Los Angeles Kings at Minnesota Wild

I know its a new season but the Minnesota Wild were the kings of under bets last season as failed to top the game totals in over 60% of games. Not much has changed on the roster from last season but the results have been screwy so far as they got tossed by the Maple Leafs and went crazy on offense against the Canadiens. I think things cool off a bit tonight against a strong fundamental team in the LA Kings and the goaltenders steal the show. Marc-Andre Fleury will go for the Wild tonight and in his first game of the season he stopped 27 of 29 shots in a winnings effort, early in the season I see Flower playing well as he is still well-rested on a young season. 

The Kings have also been hitting overs for the most part so far but will not be playing the Hurricanes or Avalanche tonight as they did to start the season. The kicker for me is that the Wild are 27th in expected goals so far this season which means they are scoring above their head and that average will correct itself and I think that starts tonight so bet the under. 

Pick: Kings & Wild Under 6.5 Goals (-135 on FanDuel)