NHL Picks: It Seems Like Everybody is Playing Back to Backs this Weekend
The NHL sets up differently for this weekend. The schedule is a little backloaded, as several teams on Sunday will be in a third game in four nights scenario.
Several options may be at the offing for your NHL betting.
Schedule Breakdown
Let us do this by the number of games each day.
- Friday – 2
- Saturday – 15
- Sunday – 8
Saturday kicks hard with four late-night games this time. The games end later than usual on Sunday with three later contests. Part of that is because of daylight savings time.
Who plays back-to-back this weekend? Here are those teams below.
- Chicago (Friday, Saturday)
- Florida (Friday, Saturday)
- Detroit (Saturday, Sunday)
- Boston (Saturday, Sunday)
- Pittsburgh (Saturday, Sunday)
- NY Rangers (Saturday, Sunday)
- Carolina (Saturday, Sunday)
- New Jersey (Saturday, Sunday)
- Vegas (Saturday, Sunday)
- St. Louis (Saturday, Sunday)
- Winnipeg (Saturday, Sunday)
- Tampa Bay (Saturday, Sunday)
- Ottawa (Saturday, Sunday)
- Nashville (Saturday, Sunday)
- Minnesota (Saturday, Sunday)
- Arizona (Saturday, Sunday)
Again, this is straightforward. The first two games on Saturday are televised on ABC. Sunday afternoon carries a doubleheader on TNT.
Saturday’s Early ABC Games
Saturday starts with something rare. The Boston Bruins attempt to rebound after a rare home loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Edmonton mounted a comeback from two goals down to upend Boston 3-2. Boston will not let off the gas pedal against Detroit.
Again, Boston is in a race against itself. Their priorities are to keep playing well and avoid injuries. Will Linus Ullmark start twice, considering Jeremy Swayman started on Thursday?
ABC's other Saturday afternoon matchup features the “Battle Of Pennsylvania.” Throw the records out the window when the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins face each other. After Pittsburgh blew a lead to the New York Islanders on Thursday night, this matinee could get nasty and quickly.
Does the game go ham? It is possible more goals are for this Saturday afternoon tilt. Also, Pittsburgh plays at home both afternoons (Sunday against the New York Rangers). The Penguins expect to go full bore as they try to solidify a playoff spot.
Even More Saturday Action
Saturday comes fierce with 15 games, including four late-night clashes. The late games include Ottawa trying to claw into the final playoff spot in the East. A battle between the Dallas Stars and Seattle Kraken headlines it. No one expects Dallas to score 10 goals as it did Thursday night in Buffalo (a 10-4 win). The Stars are a little more offensively dynamic than before the trade deadline.
Seattle lost a wild game as it came back from down 3-0 early to Ottawa but fell 5-4. Both teams usually do not give up a lot of shots but have yielded more goals recently. However, there is one game that should not go under the radar.
Vegas and Carolina meet again on Saturday night, and the Golden Knights continue their road trip. The Hurricanes might name their goaltender closer to game time. With Antti Raanta injured, that keeps the intrigue going. Either way, Carolina leads the Metropolitan Division, with New Jersey close behind. Vegas is trying to hold off a red-hot Los Angeles Kings team. Look out if the game is anything like their March 1 meeting.
How does Buffalo bounce back after giving up 10 goals on 49 shots Thursday night? They play a Rangers team, and they have mixed results at home. Expect an up-and-down affair early Saturday evening. Note that 5 p.m. ET start time.
Oh, There’s Sunday Action Too!
Hockey bettors get more nice games on Sunday! A TNT doubleheader is excellent, which gives us the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins at 4 p.m. ET. Can two of the older teams give wagerers a nice show? The answer is yes.
Carolina and New Jersey meet on Sunday night in a big Metropolitan Division collision. New Jersey flies down from Montreal while the Hurricanes head up after a home game with Vegas on Saturday. Two unrested teams who like to push tempo could make for some entertaining wagers. Plus, New Jersey won consecutive Sunday games, including a 4-1 win over Winnipeg a couple of weeks ago.
Winnipeg travels to Tampa Bay for other Sunday action to meet with the Lightning. Can both teams rebound? The Jets are limping in with a 2-6-2 mark over their past 10 contests. Tampa Bay lost a challenging game at home with Vegas in overtime after rebounding from a late deficit.
Here at gambling.com, you are covered as the regular season's final month is raring to go.
Some Quick Points To Consider
- With two heavy home favorites on Friday night, look to player props, perhaps. Calgary shot props against a Ducks team averaging 39.4 shots per game could be wise.
- Toronto and Edmonton. Throw out the records and enjoy the top-end talent battle away. Anytime goals and that Over should connect with ease.
- Remember, 14 teams are unrested Sunday, and plenty on a third game in four nights.
- Can Minnesota keep rolling along? The Wild are 8-0-2 in their last 10 and face Arizona on Sunday night.
- When does Jack Hughes start scoring goals? He has just one goal in his last 10 games but does have eight helpers.
- Do goaltenders like Igor Shesterkin and Connor Hellebuyck get their groove back?
Good luck, and once more, thanks for reading! Expect a few more plays and tips via social media later.
Thanks to BetMGM for the weekend lines. TSN and ESPN.com give us easy-to-follow schedules.
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