Welcome back to NHL best bets to all my hockey heads out there! If you were around on Tuesday, you witnessed on blood bath and over the course of the season. 

It happens, but I am not deterred in the slightest heading into tonight's big-time slate of 12 games. I have combed through the games to find some fire NHL best bets!

 

 

 

In today's NHL best bets writeup, you will find the usual trio of best bets that will include a pair of game totals and as well as a 60-minute Money Line bet on one of the best teams in the NHL and of course the famous Dog of the Day!

If you like the rationale below, then tail my NHL best bets today. You could even try BettorEdge, the social betting marketplace. Not only is this sports betting platform safe and secure, but it's even legal in 40+ states! Use promo code ALARM while registering to get $10+ in bonus credits after you verify. No deposit is required.

Now, let's dive into my expert NHL Best Bets today!

  • Season Record: 114-95-4
  • Bankroll: +11.2 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 17-14 (+6.05 Units)

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**All bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

*Editor’s Note: Bet on any of these NHL best bets today at BetMGM Sportsbook and claim a $1,500 welcome bonus when you click here.

 

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/14

Rangers vs. Lightning Prediction

Big time matchup going down tonight in Florida as the Rangers travel south to take on the Lightning! It seems like every game the Lightning play in these days is excited mostly because of the offense on their end and the lack of defense on the back side. Tampa Bay over the past 45 days on home ice they've scored 3.6 goals per game and allowed 4.1 goals per game so if those trends hold even in the slightest then the total of 6 goals is much too low. 

The number is 6 mainly because of the Rangers and their top tier defensive play and allowing just 2.6 goals per game over the last 45 days on the road but the offense is what I am interested in as they put up well over 3.5 per game during the same time span. 

I also fully believe the Lightning with their stars can find a way to net 2-3 goals tonight which should get us to at least a push on the total. Mix that with the fact that the Lightning have gone over in 20 of 33 home games this season it looks like it may be a goal bonanza down south tonight. 

 

 

 

Islanders vs. Sabres Prediction

Back to the well on Buffalo here as they continue to be one of the best defensive teams in the NHL over the past couple of months. More recently over the past 10 games the Sabres have given up a total of just 26 goals! Most of it is thanks to the emergence of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with his sub 2.3 GAA since the start of 2024 and he will indeed be in the cage tonight. 

On the Islanders side they are benefitting from Ilya Sorokin returning to form as he has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 7 straight games. Sorokin struggling was a bit odd earlier in the season so its good to see him locking back in as the Islanders make the playoff push. 

In total the Sabres have gone under the total in 21 of 33 games this season at home and the Islanders are allowing 2.6 goals per game over the past 45 days on the road. 6 goals is a tight line on the total but I think the defense and goaltenders run the show tonight so let's go with the under. 

 

 

 

Devils vs. Stars Prediction

Don't look now but the Stars are back on track right now and what I mean is they are actually playing defense again! The Stars have been notorious this season for their high scoring games especially at home but over the past month they've allowed just 2.6 goals per game. That's bad news if you're the New Jersey Devils right now as they've struggled to score goals against anyone. 

The Devils are an average team no way around it as they have a goal differential of -15 and are 16-15 straight up on the road this season. They have also lost 7 of their last 10 games and fired their head coach recently, so yeah, nothing good happening with this team. 

The Stars on the flip side are one of the league's best home teams at 19-9-4 and a plus +42 goal differential. Jake Oettinger will start in goal and has won 4 of his last 5 starts with the one loss coming against the Panthers and he holds a huge edge over Jake Allen who will make his Devils debut tonight with his 3.65 GAA on the season. Give me the Stars but to win in regulation to help out the odds on the sportsbooks. 

 

 

 

Expert NHL Prediction: Dog of the Day

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