Welcome back to NHL best bets to all my hockey heads out there! It's Saturday so you know what that means, another huge slate in the hockey world. 

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 4 types of wagers that include a game total, some Money Lines and a player prop! The Dog of the Day is taking a rest for this slate as nothing jumped out to me but enjoy the selections and let's go make some cash!

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

  • Season Record: 121-98-5
  • Bankroll: +14.6 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 19-15 (+7.55 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, 3/23

Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils Prediction

Its crunch time in the NHL regular season as some teams on the outside of the playoff picture only have around a dozen games to sort themselves. The Devils are one of those teams right now and while they haven't had the season they expected they are still in the hunt!

They have won 3 of their past 5 games heading into tonight and the defense have been tighter with Jake Allen in the cage. I know I talk bad about Allen a lot but truthfully he's done well since his trade to New Jersey and in 4 starts he is 3-1 and has given up just 7 goals total on 123 shots faced. That should give the Devils the edge tonight especially when you consider the Senators woes on the road this season

The Senators are a woeful 10-20-2 straight up this season on the road and have real issues scoring averaging just 2.3 goals per game over the past 45 days. The defense hasn't been very good either allowing 3.4 goals per game in the same time period. The future may be brighter next year for Ottawa but today they're likely to catch another loss so give me the Devils to win in regulation tonight. 

 

 

 

Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators Prediction

I just can't quit the Predators right now as they continue their flaming hot stretch they've been on for the past month and change! They haven't lost in regulation for 16 straight games which is just wild stuff and now they'll get one of the coldest teams in the NHL in the Red Wings and it should be a landslide for the Preds. 

The Red Wings are losers of 7 of last 10 games but they have won 2 straight and are trying to climb back in the standings but their main problem is the complete lack of defensive discipline lately allowing 4.6 goals per game on the road in the past 45 days and on top of that 36.3 shots on goal per game. That just can't happen for a playoff team but here we are and I am ready to jump on it. 

I actually have two wagers in this one as the Predators are in a great spot as a team but I also like a player prop on their star forward Filip Forsberg. Forsberg is the straw that stirs the drink in Smashville and has gone over his shots prop of 3.5 in 7 of the last 10. Considering the way the Red Wings are playing right now I think the Preds get the win and Forsberg goes over his prop today. 

  • Pick: Predators 60-Min Money Line (-115 on BETMGM)
  • Pick: Filip Forsberg Over 3.5 Shots On Goal (-140 on DraftKings)

 

 

 

St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild Prediction

Its a big time matchup between a pair of teams close in the standings in the Central Division and to me the losing team is bowing out of the playoff race as the margins are razor thin. That's going to make this one intense no doubt but I am looking at the game total instead of trying to pick a winner. 

I think the books made a mistake today making to line just 5.5 goals, I understand that the Blues play good defense and have a so-so offense but 5.5 is really low and the Wild offense can explode as they have over the past 45 days averaging 3.9 goals per game. I think that will be the driving force today as the Blues will need to hold serve and they can score when needed as they have 24 goals for over their last 6 games. 

Goaltending should be very good so that worries me some but end of the day this is going to be a 3-2 game late that finished with either OT or an empty netter so I have to ride with this over today. 

  • Pick: Blues & Wild Over 5.5 Goals (-120 on BetMGM)

 

 

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