Ryan Hodges
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What a weekend of hockey the NHL is providing for this push for the playoffs. There are going to be a lot of high totals, blow outs, and close games that maybe should have been blow outs. Saturday’s 14-game slate brings great action all day through the night. If you’re looking to combine some picks with good value, check out this mega parlay that has +1018 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook:
Carolina Hurricanes vs Colorado Avalanche Under 5.5 (+115)
New Jersey Devils (+100) vs Seattle Kraken
Columbus Blue Jackets (+160) vs Los Angeles Kings
Parlay odds: +1018
Carolina Hurricanes vs Colorado Avalanche Under 5.5 (+115)
The Hurricanes and Avalanche have met head to head once this season. The result was a 2-0 Carolina win back in March. A low scoring 2 goal game looks about right and poised to repeat as Carolina flexes the best goal prevention in the NHL. Colorado’s goal prevention isn’t half bad themselves hence giving up just 2 goals in that matchup and ranking 7th in the NHL in that metric. Obviously both teams are more than capable of scoring in bulk. But they have both been successful lately by way of keeping opponents from generating much offense.
Over Carolina’s. Last 8 games, they have had 4 games end in totals of 4 goals or less. In Colorado’s last 16 games, they have had 10 games end in totals of 5 goals or less with 6 of those games ending in a total of 4 goals or less. The total has gone under in 6 of Colorado’s last 9 games, 11 of their 16 games, and in their last 6 straight against Carolina. Both teams have stayed in great form approaching the playoffs. In a game between a couple heavyweights just before the playoffs, this one should really have a playoff feel. This will be a fast paced, tightly played game similar to their matchup last month.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Carolina Hurricanes vs Colorado Avalanche
New Jersey Devils ML (+100) vs Seattle Kraken
The Devils beat the Kraken 4-2 in their lone head to head matchups this season. Seattle has struggled to generate offense all season. That was the case the first time these teams met and is true for this second matchup. The Kraken score the 4th least goals per game in the NHL this season and have scored just 7 goals in their last 4 games leading into this one. The Devils double that total with 14 goals over their last 4 games. New Jersey is averaging 3.1 goals scored per game over their last 10 games and Seattle has scored 2.4 goals scored per game over their last 10 games. That 2.4 is below their 4th from last ranked 2.56 for the season. New Jersey has a stronger attack that the Kraken likely can’t keep up with.
As it pertains to goal prevention, not enough separates these teams. Among NHL ranks, Seattle and New Jersey rank 24th and 28th respectively in that category. The Devils have allowed 4 total goals in their last 3 games while the Devils have allowed 9 goals over their last 2 games. New Jersey also has a good win over a good Dallas team among those games and a 3-1 loss to Colorado that albeit was a loss but played well. New Jersey’s recent form and team strengths favor them in this one.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for New Jersey Devils vs Seattle Kraken
Columbus Blue Jackets ML (+160) vs Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have just spiraled lately and find themselves nearly out of a playoff spot with Vegas nipping at their heels. They have dropped 4 out of their last 5 games being outscored 23-15 over that 5 game span. The Kings have also dropped 4 out of their last 5 home games. Over their past 10 games, LA has scored an average of just 2.9 goals per game and allowed 3.9 goals per game. The Kings’ goal prevention numbers are much better than Columbus’ this season as a whole and would be their edge in this matchup. But having allowed 4.3 goals per game over their last 5 is not a favorable trend. The Blue Jackets have scored 5 goals in each of their last 2 games and pose a bad matchup for the slumping Kings.
Columbus’ offensive production has been solid this season. It has been their primary team strength. They are playing well right now as they have won 3 out of their last 4 games and have points in 4 out of their last 5 games. With the good form the Blue Jackets bring into this game and their current strength matchup against the Kings’ recent form and current team weakness, Columbus has a good chance at an outright win.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Columbus Blue Jackets vs Los Angeles Kings
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