Saturday features an NHL slate with 14 games throughout the day. Let’s dive into some of the best NHL bets for Saturday night’s action! Be sure to check our OddsShopper tool for more best bets and NHL odds.
Today’s NHL Best Bets | November 5
Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning: Over 6.5 (-120, FanDuel)
There is an Atlantic Division tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Buffalo Sabres. There have been seven or more total goals scored in four of the last six meetings between these two clubs, a trend that should continue on Saturday night.
In fact, there have been seven or more total goals scored in each of Buffalo’s last four games and in each of Tampa Bay’s last three. The primary reason for these high-scoring contests has been the poor defensive play.
At 5v5, Buffalo ranks just 22nd in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) while the Lightning rank 27th. It is not shocking that defense has been an issue for the Sabres considering that they are missing three defensemen: Henri Jokiharju, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Mattias Samuelsson.
Backing up this defense is goaltender Eric Comrie, who is projected to get the start between the pipes for Buffalo since they are on the second half of a back-to-back. Through seven starts this season, Comrie possesses a .898 SV% and 3.29 GAA.
Among starting goaltenders, he ranks just 21st in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5v5. Meanwhile, both offenses in this game are capable of scoring in bunches as they each rank in the top half of the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5v5.
With the amount of firepower in this game, seven goals should once again not be too difficult to come by even though Andrei Vasilevskiy is projected to start for the Bolts.
Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks: Over 6.5 (-115, DraftKings)
In Saturday’s nightcap, there is a Pacific Division tilt between the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks. This contest is the second meeting between these two clubs this season as the over cashed easily in the first game with 11 total goals scored.
There have now been seven or more total goals scored in each of Anaheim’s last three games and in each of San Jose’s last four. These trends should continue in a matchup that features two of the worst defenses in hockey.
At 5v5, the Ducks rank dead last in the league in xGA/60 while the Sharks rank 24th. Projected to take the crease for Anaheim is John Gibson, who has had an exceptionally difficult start to the season.
Through nine starts, Gibson is 2-6-1 with a .883 SV% and 4.58 GAA. Among starting goaltenders, he ranks just 23rd in GSAx/60.
This poor play should continue against San Jose. Over his last four outings against the Sharks, the Ducks’ netminder is 1-2-1 with a .890 SV% and 3.35 GAA.
Across the ice, James Reimer is projected to start between the pipes for the Sharks. While Reimer’s surface-level stats are good, regression is likely looming as he ranks just 18th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5v5.
Back the trends and take the over in a game that features two terrible defenses and two replacement-level goaltenders.
