NHL: Picks and preview for Feb. 23

Light Night on the NHL Schedule

There are only three games on the NHL schedule tonight, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few that have playoff implications. Teams that are in the playoff conversation are now gearing up for the league’s trade deadline, on March 8. 

NHL Schedule: Game Details

Game 1: Jets vs. Blackhawks Insights

The Chicago Blackhawks (15-39-3, 8^th in the Central) are a draft lottery team, while the Winnipeg Jets are the opposite (34-15-5, 3^rd in the Central), so this one heavily favours the Jets. Winnipeg has been paced all season by their goalie, Connor Hellebuyck (26-11-3, three shutouts, 2.20 GAA, .925 SV%), arguably the best in the league. He’s the probable starter for tonight.

🏒 Bet on Jets vs. Blackhawks at DraftKings 🏒

The story over in Chicago has been led by the development of No. 1 overall draft pick (2023) Connor Bedard, fully returned now from a broken jaw. Bedard leads his team in points (39) and goals (17). Probable starter for the Hawks is Petr Mrazek (13-22-2, two shutouts, 2.99 GAA and .909 SV%).

The Jets, now that C Mark Scheifele is back, are fully healthy. D Louis Crevier is day-to-day for Chicago, C Andreas Athanasiou (groin) practised Tuesday, according to The Athletic. D Connor Murphy (groin) remains out indefinitely, says NBC Sports Chicago. 

Player Props

If you’re into online betting, according to PointsBet Canada, Kyle Connor Anytime Goal Scorer (2.35) and Bedard Anytime Goal Scorer (2.85) are the most bet player props so far today.

At FanDuel, it’s Alex Vlasic Anytime Goalscorer (16.00), Bedard Anytime Goalscorer (3.00), and Gabriel Vilardi Anytime Goalscorer (3.10).

And at DraftKings, it’s Bedard Anytime Goalscorer (2.80), Bedard First Goalscorer (13.00), Bedard Over 0.5 Points (1.71) and Seth Jones Under 0.5 Points (1.69). 

Game 2: Wild vs. Oilers Insights

The Minnesota Wild (26-24-6, 6^th in the Central) are coming off that wild 10-7 win over the Vancouver Canucks Monday, followed by a 6-3 loss against the Jets Tuesday night. The Edmonton Oilers (33-18-2, 3^rd in the Pacific) staked the Boston Bruins to a 4-1 lead in their last game Wednesday night, before rallying and coming back, then losing in overtime 6-5. The Oilers are 4-3-1 since their pre-All-Star Game 16-game winning streak. C Connor McDavid has 12 goals and 36 assists during a 20-game home point streak. They’re back in the conversation as a good bet to win the Stanley Cup this season.

🏒 Bet on Wild vs. Oilers at FanDuel 🏒

The Wild are in the thick of the Western Conference’s wildcard race, so there’s a lot on the line for them. They are expected to start Filip Gustavsson (15-12-3, two shutouts, 3.27 GAA, .894 SV%) in net, with the Oilers countering with Calvin Pickard (7-3, one shutout, 2.48 GAA, .910 SV%).

Player Props

On the NHL sports betting front, not surprisingly, at PointsBet Canada, McDavid Over 1.5 Points (1.87) is the most bet player prop.

At FanDuel, it’s McDavid Anytime Goalscorer (2.10), Brock Faber Anytime Goalscorer (8.00), and McDavid Player to Record 2+ Points (8.00).

And at DraftKings – McDavid Anytime Goalscorer (2.00), Kirill Kaprizov Anytime Goal scorer (2.20), Joel Eriksson EK First Goalscorer (13.00), Leon Draisaitl Shots on Goal Over 2.5 (1.83), McDavid Over 0.5 Assists (1.45) and Mats Zuccarello Under 0.5 Assists (1.95).

Our NHL Picks Today 

How much of home ice will impact betting on the game? Not much. Jets-Blackhawks is about as lopsided as it gets. C Sean Monahan, acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens earlier this month, has five goals in seven games giving the Jets even more depth. The Jets’ strength on the road 15-8-3 overcomes the Blackhawks’ record at home (11-15-2). With Hellebuyck starting, plus the fact Chicago’s offence drops off after Bedard, we are going to take the Under at FanDuel.

For the later game, we are taking the Oilers ATS at BetMGM, a team that’s 17-6-2 at home, looking to bounce back from that OT loss to the Bruins. The teams have split their two previous games this season. The Oilers have the fourth-best power play in the NHL at 26.3%, the Wild have the third worst penalty kill % (74.5).