NHL Picks: Avalanche And Sabres Highlight A Wild Slate

The NHL has a robust 11-game Thursday night slate. It is later in the week, which typically means plenty of chances to get different NHL bets on the board. Tonight is no exception as we look to some potentially crazy games on the NHL calendar

Colorado Avalanche at Buffalo Sabres

The Colorado Avalanche got smoked by the Winnipeg Jets (of all teams) on Tuesday night. Losing 5-0 is one thing, but it gets noticed quickly when the Avalanche get beaten this badly. Colorado is 12-7-1, and yet these stinkers keep happening.

The Sabres are on the other side of the spectrum. This is a young team still trying to learn how to win in the NHL. Last night, Buffalo was up 4-1, then gave up three straight goals. Thankfully, the Sabres won, but Buffalo has conceded too many goals late in games. 

Could the Colorado offense bounce back here? Of course, it could. The Avalanche, led by Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, can score goals quickly. Now, does Alexandar Georgiev get a night off with Buffalo on a back end of a back-to-back?

Expect the game to have flashes of high tempo, which expects to lead to more goals. Leaning to the Over while it is only 6.5 may be wise. 

Washington Capitals at Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken has had quite a second year in the league. The team has been one of the unexpected good stories of the NHL season. It is more than their 14-5-3 record. Seattle has seen its offense spike, and though the Kraken allow their share of goals, the big difference is that more dynamic goal-scoring ability.

Seattle would be leading the Pacific Division if not for the Vegas Golden Knights and their incredible start. Despite that crazy 9-8 game versus Los Angeles on Tuesday, Seattle ranks 6th in goals scored and 12th in goals allowed. Their goal differential of +16 helps them to a simple rating score that ranks 8th in the NHL. Seattle is not a fluke.

It will be more intriguing to see what Washington counters with tonight. Alexander Ovechkin just broke Wayne Gretzky’s road-goal mark and has 403 now. Could he add to that on Thursday night? Philipp Grbauer still has goaltending issues, and Ovechkin is one to see an opportunity. 

The Over/Under remains at 6.0 goals, somehow at -110. Going up to 6.5 offers plus money potential. One may have to take +110 there and like it. 

Arizona Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings

Does someone know what to make of this final game of the night? Los Angeles allowed nine goals in a loss to Seattle, placed Cal Petersen on waivers, and supposedly had a closed-door meeting at some juncture. The Kings are 12-9-4 but have allowed a whopping 90 goals. They will not make the playoffs with that kind of defense. 

Arizona has lost eight of their last 12 against Los Angeles. That includes five straight games where they have scored either two or three goals. Now, that is good news. For now, the Over is only 6.0. 

Is this the night Los Angeles finds a little defense to go with their offense? They can score, but can they defend? At least, the Puckline is around even (currently +105). 

Some Picks And More To Ponder

• Colorado and Buffalo Over 6.5 goals at -110
• Nathan MacKinnon shot prop - check number
• Juuse Saros save prop Over - check number
• Nico Hischier anytime goal at +180
• Capitals-Kraken Over 6.0 goals at -110
• Arizona Over 2.5 goals at -110
• Flames, Panthers, and Kings all to win at +225
• Golden Knights three-way bet at +145
• Los Angeles Over 3.5 goals at -140
• Los Angeles win in regulation and Over 5.5 combined goals at +125

Good luck, and once again, thanks for reading! We will have a few more plays on social media as conditions warrant.

All odds today come from BetMGM.