Mark Lammey
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We’ve already hit mega parlays on back-to-back nights this week, so let’s cash one over the weekend. There’s a huge 13-game slate, and we’ve broken down each matchup to come up with our 3 favorite plays. Although there’s an early afternoon game, we won’t be targeting that contest. However, the other games should make it worth the wait. We’ve got a big home favorite and 2 road underdogs, so let’s check it out.
Before we dive in, be sure to check out our NHL picks for today’s action.
Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (+110) over Montreal Canadiens
Let’s get things started with one of the bigger favorites of the night. It’s no surprise that Connor McDavid and the Oilers are expected to take down the Canadiens on home ice. The first time they faced them last season they crushed them 7-2, and we only need them to win by 2 goals tonight. Montreal may be riding high off their recent win, but they scored just 2 goals in the process. That’s not going to cut it with the talent on the Oilers.
Edmonton rosters McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who have recorded the most and 3rd-most points respectively this season. Although they lost their last matchup, they faced a much tough Minnesota Wild team that needed 5 goals to do so. Goaltending has been the Oilers’ weakness, but the Canadiens simply don’t have the firepower to exploit that. Cole Caufield may find the back of the net, but McDavid and Draisaitl can do so several times in a single period. There’s simply too much of a talent and depth gap between these teams to expect anything but a convincing Edmonton win.
Be sure to check out our Montreal Canadiens vs Edmonton Oilers prediction
St. Louis Blues ML (+143) over Pittsburgh Penguins
Now we’re transitioning to the underdogs on the board. The first we’re targeting is the St. Louis Blues. We’ve mentioned them being a streaky team so far this season, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t still one of the toughest, grittiest teams in the NHL. Their roster is the very definition of depth, and that could come into play against the Penguins tonight. Pittsburgh’s key defenseman Kris Letang is out indefinitely due to a stroke he suffered on Monday.
While that is awful, it’s an absence the Blues can capitalize on. They still have 8 of their 9 skaters who scored at least 20 goals last season, and the Pens allow a lot of pressure to be put on goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith. They allow the 3rd-most shots per game, something Blues Vladimir Tarasenko and Jordan Kyrou can take advantage of. There’s no doubt it will be a tough, hard-fought game, but that’s what should allow St. Louis to have the Pens singing the Blues by night’s end.
Washington Capitals ML (+143) over Calgary Flames
We’re capping off the night with another road underdog in Canada. The Capitals have been away from Washington for a little while now, and enjoyed their last game up over the border. They handled the Vancouver Canucks 5-1, which our experts correctly predicted. Although they lost a close 3-2 overtime game their last time on the ice, the Seattle Kraken are no joke this season. Regardless, the Caps can bounce back tonight.
The Canadiens pulled off a win recently despite scoring just 2 goals, and that was against the Flames. That game was in Calgary no less. The Flames simply aren’t having the season they expected. Without Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, they just aren’t the same caliber of team. It’s disappointing with the hopes coming into the year, but mustering up just 1 goal at home against Montreal is telling. They’ve fallen to 10-10-3 on the season, and the Caps have the defensive prowess to slow them down. Along with Alex Ovechkin still chasing the all-time goalscoring record, Washington can capitalize on a Flames team who are slowly fizzling out.
Be sure to check out our NHL player props for today’s action – we’re 3-1 the past 2 nights!
Saturday’s NHL mega parlay (12/3)
Oilers -1.5 (+110)
Blues ML (+143)
Capitals ML (+143)
Parlay odds +1140
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