Ryan Hodges
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If you’re a hockey fan, you have no excuse to be bored on Thursday night. Even if you just want to place some bets. Second thought, even if you’re not a hockey fan, Thursday’s slate provides ample entertainment, opportunity and betting value to make a new fan. A loaded 13-game slate will have everything that a viewer could possibly want. There will be low-scoring close games, high-scoring games, physical play, highlight reel goals and acrobatic saves. The end of Thursday’s work day cannot get here soon enough. If you are looking to combine some picks from these games, check out these 3 parlay picks that have +1115 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (+170) over New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders ML (+100) over Nashville Predators
Winnipeg Jets -1.5 (+125) over Anaheim Ducks
Parlay odds: +1115
Get our NHL picks for all 13 games tonight
Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 over New Jersey Devils (+170)
I know I know. The Devils are on a 10-game winning streak. but New Jersey is not going to go 79-3-0. They will lose at some point and when they do, it will likely be to a good team as opposed to an ugly loss to a bad team. Toronto has points in 8 of their last 10 games, including 5 wins in their last 7. They beat Boston and Carolina in that span, and took Vegas past regulation. The Maple Leafs are playing well against good teams right now. There is no indication that their good form will change.
New Jersey’s last 3 wins have been against Montreal, Arizona and Ottawa. Not exactly a gauntlet. They beat Calgary in their prior 2 games when the Flames were lost in a 7-game losing streak. That’s not to diminish New Jersey’s success. They are beating the teams in front of them. But based on standings, Toronto will be New Jersey’s toughest opponent during this win streak. Toronto is a good litmus test as to whether New Jersey is a good team, or is an okay team that is just red hot. The Maple Leafs are typically reliable in the regular season, they are at home, and they are in solid form. There is no reason they can’t play spoiler on Thursday and have great value at +170 odds to cover a -1.5 spread.
Be sure to check out our full New Jersey Devils vs Toronto Maple Leafs predictions
New York Islanders ML over Nashville Predators (+100)
The Islanders have been much better than the Predators this season, both recently and overall. Nashville has middled at best with a 7-8-1 record, including 5-5-0 in their last 10 games. New York is 11-6-0, including 9-2-0 in their last 11 games. The Islanders are 5-1 in their last 6 road games, and they are 6-2 against the spread on the road. They sit 4th in the NHL with 22 points, and give just about every team in the league a challenge. Plus-money outright is great value for the Islanders on Thursday.
In addition to stronger play in general this season, the Islanders have several statistical advantages head-to-head over the Predators. New York has better numbers than Nashville in goals scored per game, goals allowed per game, powerplay, penalty kill, goal differential, shot differential, save percentage, hit differential and blocked shot differential. Nashville has struggled to score in the past week, as they have found the net just 8 times in their last 4 games. Another 2-goal performance likely won’t get the job done against this Islanders team that has scored 4+ goals in 7 of their last 10 matchups. The Islanders are the better team early on this season, and they haven’t given any reason to fade them against less successful teams — especially as an outright underdog.
Be sure to check out our full New York Islanders vs Nashville Predators Predictions
Winnipeg Jets -1.5 over Anaheim Ducks (+125)
Put plainly, the Jets have been very good this season and the Ducks have not. Winnipeg is 9-4-1, including 7-1-1 in their last 9 games. At home, the Jets have a 5-1 record and are 4-2 against the spread. Overall, the Jets are 9-5 against the spread and are 5-0 as a favorite. They have the NHL’s 2nd-best goal prevention at 2.36 goals allowed per game. That doesn’t bode well for the Ducks’ offense which has the league’s 7th-worst goalscoring and 2nd-worst powerplay.
It may not look so bleak for the Ducks if they could keep the puck out of their net. But they don’t do that well either. Anaheim also has the NHL’s 2nd-worst goal prevention and penalty kill. They have lost 11 out of their last 15 games and are 2-6-1 on the road. That road performance includes a 3-6 record against the spread. The Ducks are giving up goals at a rate that their goalscoring just can’t keep up with. The Jets have won both high-scoring games and low-scoring games, as well as both at home and on the road. Winnipeg is the better team in better form. They should be able to get the job done on Thursday.
Be sure to check out our full Anaheim Ducks vs Winnipeg Jets Predictions
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