We have a nice nine-game NHL schedule on tap Tuesday evening. Let’s dive in and see which bets are going to make the money, including targeting some struggling defensive clubs in difficult spots. For more NHL odds, best bets and parlays be sure to check out the OddsShopper tool.
Best NHL Bets Tonight and NHL Odds
Odds via FanDuel
Pittsburgh Penguins Puck Line vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (-120)
It’s a Metropolitan division showdown tonight at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh as the Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is a game the home side should absolutely win with flying colors.
The Jackets sit in last place in said Metro division, and it’s not even close. Columbus is five points shy of seventh place Philadelphia (with three games in hand) and own the Eastern Conference’s worst goal differential at an ugly minus-26. Their play on the back end has been especially poor.
Only the Anaheim Ducks have yielded more goals per game than the 3.96 clip the Jackets are humming along at while Columbus also ranks 25th in terms of expected goals against per 60 minutes of five-on-five action. Add in their 27th-place standing in expected goals for per 60 at five-on-five and it’s quite clear this team has been quite poor at both ends of the ice.
Elvis Merzlikins gets the nod in goal for Columbus in this one and there’s a case to be made that he’s been the worst goaltender in the NHL. According to Hockey Reference, Merzlikins’ -10.67 goals saved above average ranks 69th of 70 qualified netminders as Edmonton’s Jack Campbell is the lone netminder beneath him. On the surface, Merzlikins has been brutalized for a 4.74 goals against average and .864 save percentage in nine games.
The Pens sit sixth in overall offense and eighth in expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five. They’ve been a good team at both ends of the ice and should take care of this lowly Blue Jackets club with ease on home ice. Sidney Crosby is listed as a game-time decision with an illness.
New York Islanders 60 Minute Moneyline vs. St. Louis Blues (-113)
Another team that has no excuse for defeat tonight is the New York Islanders as they take on the struggling St. Louis Blues tonight on Long Island.
The Blues dropped a 6-4 decision last night on home ice to the New York Rangers and face a difficult back-to-back tonight with travel involved. That’s now losses in six of their last seven games, but this is a team that just cannot keep the puck out of their net.
The Blues have surrendered a whopping 5.29 goals per game over their last seven contests and can’t seem to get any sort of goaltending from either Jordan Binnington or Thomas Greiss. Binnington was torched once again last night which means it should be Greiss and his 3.57 goals against average and .907 save percentage going in this one. He’s been the better of the two Blues netminders this season.
Nonetheless, the Blues have averaged just 2.88 goals per game on the season which ties them for 24th league wide and finding the back of the net against an Islanders back end that’s tied for third with 2.54 goals against per game should prove difficult. If Ilya Sorokin gets the nod in goal the Blues will face a budding star in the league who owns a stout 2.17 goals against average and .932 save percentage on the season.
Look for the Islanders to take care of this one in regulation time.
Florida Panthers Moneyline vs. Winnipeg Jets (-114)
The Florida Panthers are actually the slight moneyline favorites entering this one tonight in Winnipeg against the Jets, but I feel they should have an inspired effort this evening.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice returns to Winnipeg for the first time since stepping down mid-season last year and his club needs to have his back in this one. Florida hasn’t been great this season as they sit fifth in the Atlantic division, and they certainly need to start racking up some wins to get back into the hunt.
They’ve been playing without Aleksander Barkov of late, but the Cats still rank second in the NHL in expected goals for per 60 minutes at five-on-five. Finding the back of the net won’t be easy against Connor Hellebuyck who owns a 1.30 goals against average and .957 save percentage in 10 home games on the season, but I’d suggest those numbers have nowhere to go but down.
The Jets are excelling in the Central division this season, but they also sit 22nd in expected goals against per 60 at five-on-five which likely makes their fifth-ranked overall defense fraudulent. Hellebuyck has been the difference but there’s a zero percent chance his numbers at home don’t regress moving forward.
Look for the Panthers to show up for their head coach and steal one on the road tonight in northern Manitoba.
