Welcome to our expert NHL Best Bets today!

The dust from the trade deadline has settled and we know where teams stand heading into the final 20 games or so of the regular season. No time to waste, let's jump in!

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/9

We have an awesome slate of games today with some top-tier talent and some heavyweights going head-to-head. 

 

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Rangers Prediction: Sunday, March 9th

We have a big matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the New York Rangers, as they are both in the mix for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. 

Both teams are tied with 68 points and both are on two-game losing streaks, making this a rather important late-season game. I'm not expecting a ton of scoring in this game, so we want to start with under 6.5 in this matchup. Both teams aren't amazing on defense overall, but they've been playing better recently. Over the last two weeks, both teams have allowed 2.64 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations or better, which should set us up for a lower-scoring game. 

While the goals might not be flying, there should be a solid amount of chances, especially on the Columbus side of things. Over the last two weeks, the Rangers have allowed 63.74 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-most in the league. They're allowing opponents to pile up the shots and that brings us to Zach Werenski. 

He leads the team with 218 shots in 61 games this season or 3.5 per game. He's in the midst of a career season and getting pucks to the net should be the plan to help the Blue Jackets break this two-game losing streak. 

 

 

 

Seattle Kraken vs. Washington Capitals Prediction: Sunday, March 9th

After a very slow game against the Detroit Red Wings, I'm fully expecting Alex Ovechkin to get back on track. Ovi ended with just a single shot on goal against the Red Wings, which was absolutely stunning. He entered that game with at least three shots on goal in eight of his last nine games, which is an awesome level of consistency. 

That string of success was partially broken against the Wings but there's no time like the present to move past that and do what he does best - pile up the shots. Over the last two week, the Capitals as a team have generated 61.33 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 10th best in the league. They have the league's best offense and that starts with generating a ton of chances each and every game. 

Despite that slow game, Ovi still has 42 shots on goal over his last 10 games, which is awesome. We all know he is chasing the goal record, but the only way to reach for that is to start with shots on goal. I expect the Capitals to keep it simple and let Ovi rip the puck today. 

 

 

 

Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/9