Happy Saturday hockey fans! These people in the world trying to keep us down let us get to another weekend so let's get after it! Its a full slate of games today in the NHL with 12 games and it features a Stadium Series game between the Devils and Flyers later tonight. Our friend Chris Morais will have a betting article on that game so make sure to check it out!

As for this article I have 4 plays of which include a team total, game total, a player prop and of course the Dog of the Day is back again! 

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 today's expert NHL best bets!

  • Season Record: 98-79-3
  • Bankroll: +11.33 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 10-12 (+2.05 Units)

Follow me on twitter @jwaggs10

**All bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

 

NHL Best Bets Today, February 17

Anaheim Ducks at Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction

A West Coast team comes East and has a tough game, a sports story as old as time. That is usually the case in the world of the NHL and it also doesn't help if your defense is terrible and your best players are injured. I am of course breaking down the Ducks who are 11-15 on the road this season and are now allowing 3.7 goals per game over the past 30 days. Those aren't good numbers considering the Maple Leafs on home ice have been lighting up the lamp with 3.5 goals per game during the past month and Auston Matthews is seemingly scoring goals every single night. Lukas Dostal is projected to get the start tonight for the Ducks and he's the worse of the two options they have in net with a 3.6 GAA and SV% at a flat .900! Maple Leafs ought to roll in this one but the numbers on the game side are way too chalky so give me the the Leafs to score 4 or more goals tonight on their team total goals prop. 

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs Team Total Over 4 Goals (-110 on BetMGM)

 

Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens Prediction

I never thought I would be writing a game total on the Capitals this season and advocating for the over but here we go! Washington's defense is finally breaking down and becoming exposed to the sub par unit they always were. The Capitals have allowed 3.5 goals per game over the last 45 days and it looks like Darcy Kuemper will get the start in the net which is great for the total as he's the worse of the two goalies this season. Same goes for the Habs with the goaltender situation as they have confirmed that Jake Allen is to start tonight's game and he's just awful. Allen is 5-13 on the season with a 3.63 GAA and pathetic .895 SV%, so expect some goals on the Washington side. There's also the emergence of Alex Ovechkin right now who after a slow start to the season has now scored in 6 straight games which is a huge boost to an overall struggling Caps offense. The books put the total at 6 goals and that's a sharp line but I think tonight each team flips the script if just for one night and this contest goes over the total. 

Pick: Capitals & Canadiens Over 6 Goals (-110 on BetMGM)

 

Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues Prediction

Back into the player prop market we go as its gone pretty well for this best bets article this season! Today the focus is on the Predators as they draw an intruiging matchup with the Blues who aren't too sharp on defense these days allowing 32.9 shots on goal over the past 45 days. Enter Filip Forsberg one of the only star players on the Nashville roster at this point and is in a great matchup. On the DFS side the Blues have allowed the 4th most points to left wingers on the season and while this is a betting article I find it relevant to provide some potential for a big night for Forsberg. His shots on goal prop is 3.5 tonight and he has topped this line in 59% of games this season and in 9 of the last 15 games more recently. Forsberg should have many chances in this game and I am willing to wager he puts at least 4-5 shots on net tonight to cash this prop. 

Pick: Filip Forsberg Over 3.5 Shots On Goal (-140 on DraftKings)

Expert NHL Picks: Dog of the Day

Buffalo Sabres Money Line vs Minnesota Wild (+120 on BetMGM) HALF UNIT PLAY

 

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