Saturday features an NHL slate with eight games. Let’s dive into some of the best NHL bets including the Calgary Flames and Daniel Vladar. Be sure to check our OddsShopper tool for more best bets and NHL odds.
Best NHL Bets Today | November 26
Best Flames-Hurricanes Bet: Flames ML (+125, DraftKings)
The Metropolitan Division’s Carolina Hurricanes host the Pacific Division’s Calgary Flames on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are trying to snap losing streaks as Calgary has lost two straight games while the Canes have lost five in a row.
Since they are on the second half of a back-to-back, the Flames are projected to go with backup goaltender Daniel Vladar between the pipes. Vladar has been outstanding between the pipes recently, a trend that could continue against a slumping Carolina offense.
Over his last two starts, Vladar boasts a .955 SV% and 1.45 GAA. Playing in front of Vladar is one of the best defenses in hockey.
At 5v5, Calgary ranks seventh in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Meanwhile, their offense also ranks 11th in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5v5.
Across the ice, goaltender Antti Raanta is projected to start between the pipes for Carolina. Through seven appearances in the crease this season, Raanta is 3-2-2 with a .902 SV% and 2.54 GAA.
If he qualified, the Canes’ netminder would rank just 24th among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5v5. Raanta may struggle against the Flames, a team he has fared poorly against over the last few seasons.
Through his last four starts against Calgary, he is 0-2-2 with a .862 SV% and 4.64 GAA. In front of Raanta is an offense that is thin due to injuries as Teuvo Teravainen and Ondrej Kase are both expected to miss this contest.
This game should be priced closer to a pick ’em, and there is good value in backing the Flames at this price.
Best Blues-Panthers Bet: Over 6.5 (-115, DraftKings)
The Atlantic Division’s Florida Panthers host the Central Division’s St. Louis Blues on Saturday night. Both of these clubs have been involved in high-scoring games recently as there have been seven or more total goals scored in five of the Blues’ last six games and in each of the Panthers’ last five, two trends that should continue in this matchup.
Slated to take the crease for St. Louis is goaltender Thomas Greiss. Through five appearances between the pipes this season, Greiss is 1-3 with a .906 SV% and 3.76 GAA.
If he qualified, Greiss would rank just 27th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5v5. Playing in front of Greiss is a weak defensive group that ranks just 19th in the league in xGA/60 at 5v5.
Across the ice, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is projected to start for the Panthers. It has been an incredibly tough season for the Florida netminder, who is just 4-5-1 with a .888 SV% and 3.62 GAA.
Among starting goaltenders, Bobrovsky ranks just 24th in GSAx/60 at 5v5. However, he should get plenty of goal support as the Panthers rank second in the league in xGF/60 at 5v5.
Florida loves to play north as quick as possible, and with their talented group of forwards, it is not shocking that they are often involved in high-scoring games. The Blues have plenty of depth offensively to keep up with the Panthers, but their lackluster defense will struggle mightily in this contest.
