Welcome back to NHL best bets to all my hockey heads out there! After a few days off the article, I am primed and ready to dive back in headfirst into this massive slate of 13 games around the NHL. 

As the season winds into the home stretch with just about a month to go considering this, remember what teams are still playing for something and the teams that are not! Odds are also going to start to become less favorable to don't be afraid to get into DFS or player props as we head to the end of the season. 

 

 

 

In today's NHL best bets writeup, you will find a trio of wagers that include a Money Line, Puck Line and a team total plus a couple of bets to consider betting that just missed the cut. The Dog of the Day also returns today as we are on the 5-day winning streak on hitting the plus money!

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

  • Season Record: 116-96-4
  • Bankroll: +12.4 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 18-14 (+7.25 Units)

Follow me on twitter @jwaggs10

**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, 3/19

Maple Leafs vs. Flyers Prediction

It's a matchup tonight of likely playoff teams in the Eastern Conference as the Maple Leafs travel to Philly to take on the Flyers! While both teams have had good seasons there's a glaring difference in these two teams and its enough to drive me in the direction of adding this game to my betting sheet. 

The Flyers are fake good and when I say that I mean they are below average in many key statistics the most glaring being goal differential in which they are a -6 on the season. They also operate at extemely tight margins analytically as in all situation they have an expected goals mark of 2.89 and a expect goals against number of 2.87. You just can't successfully win big games with numbers like that, and their starting goaltender Samuel Ersson isn't helping the cause lately with a .839 SV% across his last 3 games. 

Then we have the Maple Leafs who boast one of the best offenses in the NHL and a goal differential of +33, see the disparity? The Maple Leafs have also scored 4.3 goals per game over the last 45 days on the road and enter the game with a total record of 20-7-6. This is a game that should favor Toronto at -150 or higher according to expected value and seeing as its much better than that I am jumping on the Maple Leafs on the Money Line tonight. 

  • Pick: Toronto Money Line (-130 on ESPN BET)

 

 

 

Sharks vs. Predators Prediction

Over the past month in the NHL, you'd be hard pressed to find a team hotter than the Predators as they've won 12 of their last 14 games! What's more impressive though is the way they are winning as they've scored 4 or more goals in 11 of those wins during the stretch and now they get a Sharks team with one of the worst defenses in the league. 

The Sharks on the road over the past 45 days have given up 3.6 goals per game and on the season they are a staggering -120 in goal differential, that's a special kind of bad. With that being said we have to target this matchup as the Preds are still fighting for their playoff lives with everything still on the table. Not sure who the Sharks goaltender will be to attack but it hardly matters as Magnus Chrona is the most likely starter with his 4.22 GAA on the season over 7 games. 

Give me the Predators on the Puck Line in a big way as I am eating the chalk from the books and am very happy to do so. 

  • Pick: Nashville Puck Line -1.5 (-155 on Caesars)

 

 

 

Canadiens vs. Oilers Prediction

March and April are the time in the NHL season to really pick on the teams floundering and possibly tanking and when they play on the road against top tier opponents you have to jump on it. That's where we find the Canadiens tonight against the Oilers and this is a mismatch of epic proportions. 

Edmonton has been arguably the league's best team since the holiday season back in December and more recently over the past 45 days it has just continued. The Oilers have averaged 4.4 goals per game on home ice the highest rate in the NHL during this time period and its hard to see them slowing down against the Habs who are allowing 4.1 goals per game during the same time period on the road. Montreal is also the 8th most penalized team in the NHL and that's real bad news for them as the Oilers have the league's 2nd best powerplay unit. 

Montreal goaltender Sam Montembeault will be the one thrown to the wolves tonight with his 3.11 GAA and .905 SV% which aren't bad considering the team in front of him but he's facing a toughest challenge yet. Give me the Oilers to go over their team total of 4 goals tonight as I imagine they net 5+ without much issue. 

  • Pick: Edmonton Team Total Over 4 Goals (-120 on BetRivers)

NHL Predictions: Additional Wagers To Consider

 

 

 

Expert NHL Prediction: Dog of the Day

Want this bet to be a guaranteed winner? Use this link to “Bet $5, Win $150” instantly at DraftKings Sportsbook.