Ryan Hodges
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Hockey fans are treated to a huge 12-game slate on Thursday in the NHL. With just a couple of exceptions, there are great games tonight between good teams that could likely be in playoff contention come spring. With the weekend so close but still another day away, this is a great bridge to Friday. Try to get any obligations you have out of the way because this will be a night of hockey you will not want to miss. If you’re looking to have some betting action, check out our NHL mega parlay at +956 odds below. You can also read our NHL predictions for picks on every game today.
Maple Leafs -1.5 (+170)
Coyotes ML (+105)
Bruins -1.5 (-110)
NHL mega parlay odds: +956
Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 over Florida Panthers (+170)
The Maple Leafs look very good to start this season. Granted, they did take a 4-1 loss at home to the Blackhawks on Monday. But the Leafs can chalk that up as “one of those games” as opposed to purely being dysfunctional. Although Toronto can have a short memory with a game like that, they will likely use it as a bit of incentive on Thursday night. They will want to bounce back and not let a fluke loss lead to any kind of early-season downward spiral.
Offense looks to be the key strength of the Maple Leafs once again this season. They won 6-5 in a shootout and then 7-4 in their first couple games of the season. The Panthers have been able to tread water and will be tested in a big way if the Leafs can hold to that strong production. Florida has several key injuries of players that were vital to their success last year. Look for Toronto to come out with some urgency and try to run up the score.
Check out our full analysis of tonight’s NHL matchups
Arizona Coyotes ML over St. Louis Blues (+105)
Despite a 1-2-0 record, the Coyotes look good out of the gates this year. They beat the Devils in a game that went beyond regulation, then had narrow 1-goal losses to the Rangers and Islanders. Those opponents are not an easy start to the season and Arizona has firmly been in every game. Arizona has shown great goal prevention in the past week and in the game they allowed 3 goals, they won. This will be the Coyotes’ last game before their home opener on Saturday. They will make a push to end the road trip on a high note.
The Blues were already a question mark entering the season. In just their second game, they lost top left winger Pavel Buchnevich. St. Louis has scored just 2 regulation goals in 2 games. The way Arizona is shutting down opponents, it is unlikely to get any easier on Thursday, especially without Buchnevich. The Coyotes may need just 3 goals to win this game.
Lock in our pair of NHL player prop bets for tonight’s action
Boston Bruins -1.5 over San Jose Sharks (-110)
This looks set to be a very lopsided game in favor of the Bruins no matter how you slice it. Boston may not be the same team as last year, but they should still be around 100 points and sniffing a playoff spot. San Jose is firmly in rebuilding mode. Unless the Bruins do not show up to play with any sense of competitiveness, they should be able to beat up on the Sharks just fine.
The Sharks are 0-2-1 to start the season with losses of 4-1, 2-1 in a shootout and 6-3. Granted, those 3 games were against legitimate Stanley Cup-winning teams. But until they prove otherwise, the Bruins should also be in that conversation. Things will not get any easier for the Sharks on Thursday. San Jose is struggling to score and twice has allowed 4+ goals. That combination of team vulnerabilities is not a recipe for success. No need to overthink this one.
Check out our Boston Bruins vs San Jose Sharks predictions for tonight’s matchup
