NHL Picks & Preview for Red Wings vs Penguins, Flyers vs Rangers

Matthews Closing in on 70 Goals

The Toronto Maple Leafs (46-23-9-101, 3^rd in the Atlantic Division) are back in action tonight, hosting the New Jersey Devils (37-37-5-79, 7^th in the Metropolitan), looking to gain more ground on the second place Florida Panthers (the Leafs are three points behind Florida, who host the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets tonight). Game time is 7 p.m. EST, broadcast on Sportsnet.

No surprise, but betting on Auston Matthews getting to 70 goals is a hot topic (he is at 66 with four games to go). Matthews Anytime Goalscorer (-140) is among the most popular props at DraftKings, as is Matthews First Goalscorer (+500). Odds on Matthews getting to 70 over at Proline+ are now at 2.75.

Meanwhile teams in the heart of the wildcard race are at it tonight as well, starting with the Detroit Red Wings (38-32-8-84, one point out of a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference) in Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins (36-30-12-84), tied with the Wings, one point out of a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.

The stumbling, bumbling Philadelphia Flyers (36-32-11-83, two points out of a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference) are in New York to play the Rangers (53-22-4-110, 1^st in the Metropolitan Division).
 

NHL Schedule: Game Details

Game 1: Red Wings vs. Penguins Insights

The Penguins are looking to keep a four-game home winning streak going, led by Sidney Crosby’s seven goals and ten assists in his past ten games. Pittsburgh is 21-13-4 at home. Detroit has a 16-19-3 record on the road.

The Red Wings are 4-4-2 in their past ten games. The Pens are 6-1-3 in their past ten. Dylan Larkin leads the Wings with 31 goals. Crosby leads the Pens with 40 goals.

🏒 Bet on Red Wings vs. Penguins at DraftKings 🏒

C Michael Rasmussen and C Andrew Copp are both out for the Wings. D Ryan Graves is considered day-to-day for the Penguins.

Alex Lyon (20-18-4-2 SOs, 2.96 GAA, .908 SV%) is confirmed as starter in net for Detroit, while Alex Nedeljkovic (16-6-7-3 SOs, 2.82 GAA, .905 SV%) is confirmed as starter for the Penguins. 

Red Wings vs. Penguins Player Props

According to PointsBet Canada, Patrick Kane Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (1,65) and Sidney Crosby Over 0.5 Assists (1.77) are most bet player props. 

And according to BetMGM today, Dylan Larkin to Score a Goal (2.45), Alex Lyon Over 29.5 Saves (1.91) and Evgeni Malkin Over 2.5 Shots (2.00) are most bet player props.

Game 2: Flyers vs. Rangers Insights

What exactly is going on with the Flyers? Losers of eight straight, including a 9-3 beatdown Tuesday at the hands of the lowly Montreal Canadiens, a game Flyers head coach John Tortorella described as “rock bottom”.

The Rangers are getting ready for the playoffs. Artemi Panarin has led the way over the past ten games – eight goals and 13 assists. Travis Konecny has paced the Flyers’ offence all season – 31 goals and 35 assists.

The Rangers are 8-2-0 in their last ten and are a mighty 28-10-0 at home. They’re coming off a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Tuesday. The Rangers are without D Ben Harpur and C Filip Chytil. The Flyers are without D Ryan Ellis and D Rasmus Ristolainen.

🏒 Bet on Flyers vs. Rangers at FanDuel 🏒

Who’s in net for tonight? In a must-win for the Flyers they’re likely going with Samuel Ersson (21-18-7-3 SOs, 2.96 GAA .886 SV%), while the Rangers have confirmed Jonathan Quick (18-5-2-3 SOs, 2.52 GAA, .914 SV%) as their starter.

Then there’s the Rangers’ PP – third in the NHL (26.0%), up against a Flyers’ PK that ranks 4^th (83.5%). On the flipside, the Rangers PK has been elite as well – 83.7% - while the Flyers’ PP is last in the NHL – 12.6%.

Flyers vs. Rangers Player Props

In terms of NHL betting, at DraftKings, Panarin Anytime Goalscorer (2.35), Chris Kreider Anytime Goalscorer (2.35), Mika Zibanejad Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (1.77), Panarin Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (2.05) are most bet player props.

According to BetMGM today, Owen Tippett to Score a Goal (2.90), Mika Zibanejad Over 2.5 Shots (1.74) and Chris Kreider Over 0.5 Goals (3.00) are most bet player props. 

Our NHL Picks Today

On the Canadian sports betting front, it’s going to be tough to watch the Flyers in New York tonight. Has that team shut down on their coach? Plus, you can’t overlook the fact they have the league’s worst power play. Despite the stakes, take the Rangers ATS at BetMGM on home ice.

It doesn’t get tighter than Wings-Penguins. In games like this, the best players outweigh all other factors. And the Pens are led by a Hall-of-Famer, big game money player in Crosby. Go Pens ATS at FanDuel.