Welcome to another big time NHL slate on a Thursday! The schedule is nice and consistent this time of year and it's great to have the ebb and flow of bigger slates every other day so I can research a day in advance. Let's build some momentum from Tuesday after another night in the green and find some winners!

12-games are on the docket tonight and as usual you will find plenty of angles to attack! I have highlighted a few in this NHL best bets article to pay attention to which include a Puck Line and a pair of game totals and of course the Dog of the Day is back in action!

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

  • Season Record: 106-86-3
  • Bankroll: +12.9 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 13-13 (+3.70 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 “Bet $5, Get $150" bonus when you click here.

 

NHL Best Bets Today, February 29

Arizona Coyotes vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction

As we wind into the end game of the NHL season the cream tends to start rising to the top and that's just what is happening with the Maple Leafs right now. They've won 8 of their last 10 games heading into tonight's matchup against the Coyotes and during that stretch they were 4-1 on home ice and scored 24 goals in total. 

The offense is really heating up and that spells bad news for Arizona tonight as they've allowed 4.2 goals per game on the road over the past 45 days! That's a serious mismatch on that end of the ice and on the defensive side Joseph Woll is back in net for the Maple Leafs for the first time since December 7th! 

Woll isn't a world class goaltender by any means, but he gives stability to a position that Toronto has been needing. As you can tell by now, I am betting on the Maple Leafs tonight, but the Money Line is much too chalky so instead I am turning my attention to the Puck Line for tonight which is very close to even money. 

 

New York Islanders vs. Detroit Red Wings Prediction

Trends are always important in the NHL to follow and when you see what the Red Wings have been up to, you take notice. Detroit has scored 28 goals over the course of their 6-game win streak, and they'll look to continue their production against an Islanders team that has been shaky at best on defense. 

Over the past 45 days, the Islanders have given up 3.6 goals per game and the once great Ilya Sorokin is having one of his worst statistical seasons to date with a 3.11 GAA and is just middle of the pack amongst goaltenders over 20 starts in goals saved above expected. 

It's going to be an uphill battle for the Islanders tonight and on road in general they see high scoring games as they've gone over the total in 17 of 28 road games this season. Alex Lyon will start on the other end for the Red Wings, and he is the main concern for the over tonight but he's not perfect with a 2.69 GAA on the season either. 

Detroit has gone over the total in 17 of 30 games this season as well and since the addition of Patrick Kane that trend has only gone up. I expect a close game tonight, but 6-7 total goals should be more than attainable for these teams so let's bet the over.

 

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Boston Bruins Prediction

Now that we have our over target for the night, let's look at the other side of the game total market as this matchup features some top tier goaltending. Starting with Vegas and Adin Hill, he has been one of the best goaltenders in the NHL since last season and his numbers still back that statement as he holds a GAA of 2.25 and SV% of .927% which are both elite numbers. 

He has helped lead the Vegas defense to an impressive 2.9 goals allowed per game on the road over the past 45 days as well. I should also mention that the Golden Knights are without some of their top forwards as well with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone on the IR so the offense could be slow moving too. 

That brings us to the Boston Bruins who are allowing just 2.7 goals per game on home ice over the past 45 days and their goaltending tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. It has not been confirmed which of them will start but both are elite options and don't change my opinion on betting the under tonight either way. 

The Bruins have gone under the total in 17 of 30 home games this season as well so the numbers are there, let's bet the under. 

  • Pick: Golden Knights vs. Bruins Under 5.5 Goals (-110 on Caesars)

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Expert NHL Picks: Dog of the Day

 

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