Ryan Hodges
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This week in hockey is capped off by a 4-game Sunday slate in the NHL highlighted by the Heritage Classic between the Flames and Oilers. Calgary and Edmonton take center stage as this will be a primetime game televised and streamed on TBS and MAX. Both teams are struggling and will be looking to snap out of it under the bright outdoor lights. After what should be a couple of solid games earlier on Sunday, the Heritage Classic will be a great way to end the NHL week.
If you’re looking to have some betting action, check out our NHL mega parlay at +1070 odds below. You can also read our NHL predictions for picks on today’s games.
Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+150)
Minnesota Wild vs New Jersey Devils over 6.5 (-125)
Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (+160)
NHL mega parlay odds: +1070
Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+150)
Both Buffalo and Colorado had high expectations entering the season. So far, only one of them has played well. The Avalanche look great to start the season while the Sabres have faltered. Will the Sabres snap out of it and go on a run? Probably, at some point, but they have struggled to find consistency and it will not get any easier today.
The Avalanche rank 5th in the NHL in both goals scored and allowed this season. Their power play is in the top 10 and their penalty kill is in the top 5. The Avs are finally healthy again and their play has been reminiscent of their 2022 Stanley Cup winning form. They know the Sabres have struggled early on and will look to pounce on Buffalo’s vulnerabilities.
Minnesota Wild vs New Jersey Devils over 6.5 (-125)
The over has been rolling for both the Wild and the Devils thus far this season. The over has hit in 6 of Minnesota’s last 7 games and in 3 of 4 road games. The total has also gone over in all 7 of the Devils’ games this year, including 5 straight at home.
Both teams have shown strong scoring so far but weak goal prevention. That combination typically bodes well for high totals, as has been the case for both teams. The combined over-under record between these teams is 13-2, including 8-1 in Wild road games and Devils home games. Minnesota’s average game total is 7.76 and New Jersey’s is 7.85. Today’s matchup sets up to bring more of the same.
You can also read today’s NHL player prop picks
Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (+160)
The Flames and Oilers have both been bad to start the season. There is really no way to sugarcoat it. While they both will hope that the energy of playing in the Heritage Classic outdoors in Edmonton will help them break out, the game itself sets up better for the Oilers. In a game between two struggling teams, the higher ceiling team should be the most reliable pick.
Although the Oilers have not been very good through 7 games, they still have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid has missed a couple of games but is expected to be back today. The Flames just do not have the top-end talent that the Oilers do, which tips the scales in Edmonton’s favor in a game between teams that are spiraling. I’m looking for the Oilers to run up the score outdoors in front of their faithful.
