Ryan Hodges
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What a weekend of hockey the NHL has provided the past couple nights. There have been a lot of high totals, blow outs, and close games that maybe should have been blow outs. Sunday’s 8-game slate will be a great weekend capper and should bring more of the same. If you’re looking to combine some picks with good value, check out this mega parlay that has +1493 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook:
Colorado Avalanche and Over 6.5 vs Minnesota Wild (+230)
Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Over 7 (+110)
Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (+130) vs New Jersey Devils
Parlay odds: +1493
Colorado Avalanche and Over 6.5 vs Minnesota Wild (+230)
Minnesota comes into this game on a 5 game winning streak after hitting a pretty big rut. But Colorado isn’t exactly in bad form themselves. Colorado has beat Minnesota in both head to head matchups this season. Both teams have strong offenses but when it comes to goal prevention and special teams, the advantage clearly goes to Colorado. This will be the first head to head matchup this season at Excel Energy Center. Minnesota is the 6th best home team in the NHL but Colorado is the 6th best road team in the NHL. Minnesota will also be on the second of back to backs in which they are 3-4-2 this season. The Avs should take care of the Wild a third straight time.
Colorado games average 6.59 total goals per game this season. Minnesota games average 6.75 total goals per game this season. Based on averages alone the over looks likely in this matchup. The main reason though for such high numbers is offense. Colorado scores the 2nd most goals per game in the NHL and Minnesota scored the 3rd. Colorado has decent goal prevention and Minnesota has below average goal prevention. But for all intents and purposes, offense dominates these teams’ games and should remain true in this matchup.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild
Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs Over 7 (+110)
No reason to deviate from the theme of offense in this game that features the NHL’s best and 4th best goal scoring teams. The Panthers score an average of 4.05 goals per game and the Leafs score an average of 3.63 goals per game. Based on offense alone, that’s an average of 7.68 goals per game. Neither team particularly excels in goal prevention or containment which makes for a good matchup for each offense. For both teams, offensive production can be relied on much more than defensive production.
The Panthers rank 12th in the league in goals allowed per game and the Leafs 17th. Both teams allow over 30 shots per game on average. Florida games have hit at least 7 goals in 7 of their last 10 games. Toronto games have also hit at least 7 goals in 7 of their last 10 games. The Leafs have been giving up goals in droves over the last month plus. The Panthers’ blue line took a big time hit with the loss of Aaron Ekblad. Based on team strengths and recent trends, this looks to be another high scoring game.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal Canadiens Moneyline (+130) over New Jersey Devils
The Canadiens have had new life under interim coach Martin St. Louis. Obviously it was too late as they are already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. But the Devils may be next. The Canadiens have 11 points in their last 10 games and 6 points in their last 5. The Devils have 8 points in their last 10 games and 2 points in their last 5. Montreal has 10 wins in their last 17 games. New Jersey’s last 10 wins date back 31 games to January 6th. Montreal is flat out playing better than New Jersey recently.
The Canadiens are 7-2 in their last 9 games against Eastern Conference opponents. The Devils are 1-4 in their last 5 games against Eastern Conference opponents. Granted, this matchup doesn’t have much appeal in terms of storylines or playoff race implications. But if you’re looking for value, Montreal +130 against a fellow basement dweller they are playing much better than is very good value.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Montreal Canadiens vs New Jersey Devils
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