Ryan Hodges
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What a chaotic Tuesday night in the NHL. The word “chaotic” is used in the best way possible, it should be noted. All 32 teams were suited up and, unsurprisingly, there was no shortage of intrigue. There was just a single game on Wednesday night, but we are right back at it on Thursday night with a great 11-game slate. Hockey fans have been treated to an entertaining start of the season and Thursday will only reinforce an exciting first month of the year.
If you are looking for some betting action, check out this NHL mega parlay at +884 odds below. You can also read our NHL predictions for picks on every game.
Bruins -1.5 (-118)
Senators ML (+105)
Blues ML (+160)
NHL mega parlay odds: +884
Boston Bruins -1.5 over Anaheim Ducks (-118)
Put plainly, the Bruins are a very good team and the Ducks just are not there yet. Boston is off to a 6-0-0 start with a +12 goal differential. That is an average win by 2.00 goals, including a 3-1 win already against these Ducks. Following a historically good season last year and then getting bounced in the first round, this Bruins team does not appear to be taking anything for granted.
The primary area in which the Bruins are excelling early on is goal prevention. They have allowed just 1.17 goals per game, which is the fewest allowed in the NHL thus far. That strength matches up well against the Ducks’ 27th-ranked 2.33 goals scored per game average. Until the B’s show any signs of slowing down, they appear as reliable as they were during the 2022-23 regular season.
Read our full analysis of tonight’s NHL slate.
Ottawa Senators ML over New York Islanders (+105)
The Senators are a young, fast, fun-to-watch team. They have been a bit streaky to start the season with already a dominant 3-game winning streak followed by a current 2-game skid. A team on the ascent will typically have growing pains, but that does not change the fact that this one is indeed on the ascent.
Despite being outscored 11-6 in the last 2 games, the Senators have a +4 goal differential. Early on, they have scored the 4th most goals per game in the NHL with 4.17 — which is 1.57 more than the Islanders. The Isles are winless in their last 3 and just gave up a 7-spot. They are vulnerable and this looks to be a good bounce-back spot for Ottawa.
Make sure to also check out our NHL Best Bets for tonight’s slate
St. Louis Blues ML over Calgary Flames (+160)
Neither one of these teams has been spectacular to start the season. This pick has less to do with any kind of prowess of the Blues and more to do with a 2-2-1 team that is +160 against a 2-4-1 squad. Following a win in their season opener, the Flames are 1-4-1 — including a current 3-game regulation losing streak. Losses to the Capitals and Blue Jackets stand out for the Flames.
The Blues have been unremarkable, themselves. But they took Dallas to a shootout, beat Seattle in a shootout, beat Pittsburgh in regulation and lost a close one with an empty-netter to Winnipeg. St. Louis is showing much better — and against good teams — than a +160 ML price would indicate. This is a solid value spot against the reeling Flames.
