Saturday’s slate is absolutely loaded with 13 games taking place on the ice. Let’s dive into some of the NHL bets for Saturday night’s action! Be sure to check our OddsShopper tool for more best bets.
Tonight’s NHL Best Bets | October 22
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Winnipeg Jets: Under 7 (-130, DraftKings)
There is no denying the offensive firepower that these two teams possess, especially in the top six of each forward group. With names such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Kyle Connor, these teams have starts capable of scoring at-will.
However, a total of seven is an over-adjustment of that fact. First of all, each defense has held its own as both teams rank inside the top half of the league at 5v5 in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Since taking over behind Winnipeg’s bench this season, Rick Bowness has brought over his defensive-minded coaching from Dallas in an effort to establish an identity for the Jets. Last season at 5v5, Dallas ranked in the top half of the league in both GA and xGA.
Backing up this defense is veteran netminder Connor Hellebuyck, who is off to yet another strong start to the season. Through three starts, Hellebuyck is 2-1 with a .922 SV% and 2.65 GAA.
There were seven or fewer total goals scored in all three of those outings. At 5v5, he ranks 13th among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60).
Over his last three starts against the Maple Leafs, Hellebuyck is 2-1 with a .925 SV% and 2.69 GAA. On the other side of the ice, we can expect to see Ilya Samsonov between the pipes for Toronto.
Through three starts this season, Samsonov is 3-0 with a .927 SV% and 1.96 GAA. There have been fewer than seven total goals scored in all three of those games.
At 5v5, he ranks 12th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60. In his lone career start against the Jets, Samsonov stopped 29 of 31 shots for a .935 SV%.
There have been seven or fewer total goals scored in seven of the last 10 meetings between these two clubs, a trend that should continue on Saturday. Let’s take a look at another NHL bet we like.
St. Louis Blues @ Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid o3.5 SOG (-145, DraftKings)
It is no secret that Edmonton’s offense is entirely driven by its two superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Out of necessity, these two drive play throughout the game because of the weak depth that the Oilers possess in the forward group.
In a trend that has continued from last year’s playoffs, the two superstars are generating the majority of Edmonton’s point production. With the puck seemingly always on 97’s stick, he has recorded at least four shots on goal (SOG) in all four of the games this season.
With the Oilers having a day off on both sides of this game, McDavid and Draisaitl will surely log at least 22 minutes of ice time each. With that volume, recording at least four SOG should not be too difficult for the world’s most talented player.
The line on this prop is relatively generous due to the fact that St. Louis ranks 11th this season in opposing SOG per game. However, this ranking is actually a benefit for McDavid’s shot prop.
McDavid is by far and away the best player on earth in creating something out of nothing. If St. Louis stifles the other Edmonton forwards, then McDavid will have no choice but to create offensive opportunities by himself, which should aid in getting his shot total over three-and-a-half.
The last time the superstar faced St. Louis, he logged 11 shots on goal. Reaching that number again is probably unrealistic, but recording four SOG is not.
