Despite a small five-game slate on Sunday, there are still some great betting angles to take advantage of. Let’s dive into some of the best NHL bets for Sunday night’s action! Be sure to check our OddsShopper tool for more best bets and NHL odds.
Tonight’s NHL Best Bets | October 23
Seattle Kraken @ Chicago Blackhawks (+125, DraftKings)
A Western Conference tilt kicks off Sunday’s slate as the Central Division’s Chicago Blackhawks host the Pacific Division’s Seattle Kraken. Chicago is coming off Friday’s 4-3 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings, a game in which the Hawks were home underdogs.
Once again, they find themselves at plus money against Seattle, a team that is coming off a big road upset over the Colorado Avalanche. That being said, this game should be a prime letdown spot for a young Kraken team.
Seattle’s starting goaltender, Philipp Grubauer, left Friday’s game against Colorado in the third period with an undisclosed injury. With his status up in the air, backup Martin Jones is expected to get the start on Sunday.
Through four appearances this season, Jones is 2-1-1 with a .875 SV% and 3.49 GAA. This poor start to the year should continue against Chicago, a team he has struggled against.
Across his last five starts against the Hawks, Jones has posted a .865 SV% and 3.57 GAA. While the Blackhawks are in a transitional period and have a roster that is constructed to tank for Connor Bedard, the team is not just laying down and accepting its fate.
Searching for their third straight win, Chicago will once again rely on its blue line and goaltending to grab a victory. At 5v5, the Hawks rank second in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
The confirmed starting goaltender for Chicago is Alex Stalock, who grabbed the win in relief of the injured Petr Mrazek on Friday. Through two appearances this season, Stalock boasts a .979 SV% and 0.74 GAA.
San Jose Sharks @ Philadelphia Flyers (-145, DraftKings)
Sunday’s nightcap features the Metropolitan Division’s Philadelphia Flyers and the Pacific Division’s San Jose Sharks. To be as blunt as possible, the Sharks have been absolutely terrible.
Starting the season with a 1-6 record, San Jose is having difficulties all over the ice. At 5v5, they rank 28th in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 18th in xGA/60.
Since they are on the second half of a back-to-back, James Reimer should be taking the crease for the Sharks. Among starting goaltenders, he ranks 26th in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5v5.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia enters this game in opposite form as they continue to exceed preseason expectations with their 4-1 start. Under new bench manager John Tortorella, this club has established an identity with tough, physical play in all three zones.
Projected to start between the pipes for the Flyers is Felix Sandstrom. In his one start against the Panthers this season, he stopped 33 of 36 pucks for a .917 SV%.
Now going against San Jose, Sandstrom should feel like he is playing in a different league by comparison to his first start against a loaded Florida roster.
