NHL Weekend Best Bets Loaded with Playoff Implications

Of course, one of the most popular annual NHL betting events is the Stadium Series.  The Stadium Series games are played at historic football and baseball venues.  In like manner to the All-Star Game, they are events more than just games.  The betting handle is always high for the Stadium Series.  Casual and non-hockey fans remain interested in outdoor hockey.  Specifically, for this year, gamblers get a strong Online sportsbook matchup that illustrates the sport’s growth.  Tampa Bay and Nashville were born as Southern, warm-weather expansion teams.   And these franchises proved that hockey could work anywhere.

 Los Angeles has won four of its last five matchups.  Six of their last seven games went over the betting on NHL total.  Now Los Angeles stands at 26-17-7 with 21-28 under the total.  The Kings hold the final Western Conference playoff spot by two points over the Ducks.

Anaheim has dropped four of its most recent five games.  Four of the Ducks’ last six outings have gone over the total.  Anaheim stands at 24-19-9 with 26-25 over the total.

To be exact, the Kings will get the better price as a quality road team.

CashBet Best Bet: 

Los Angeles Kings

Tampa Bay draws plenty of betting action as the successive Stanley Cup Champion.  By contrast, there is pro hockey betting respect that the NHL betting public has for Nashville.  On the whole, the Predators will be motivated to show well in front of the biggest hockey crowd in Tennessee history.  Thus, there should not be a price discrepancy on either side.

Late on, Tampa Bay has gotten the money in seven of its last ten games.  Further, four of their last six games went under the total.  Tampa Bay stands at 32-11-6 straight up and 27-21 over/under.  The Lightning has NHL metrics of 8^th for goal scoring, 19^th for power-play efficiency, 9^th for goals against, and 12^th for penalty killing.

In recent action, Nashville has lost five of its last six games.  In comparison, four of its most recent five games cleared the total.  As a result, Nashville is 28-18-4 straight up and 29-21 over/under.  NHL metrics show the Predators 14^th for goal scoring, 9^th for power-play efficiency, 14^th for goals against, and 15^th for penalty killing.

On this occasion, Tampa Bay is the better value.  Consider that the champion Lightning will get a rare hockey betting price break as the visiting team.

CashBet Best Bet:

Nashville Predators

Vegas entered the NHL four years ago and wasted no time developing a rivalry with the Colorado Avalanche.  Following last year’s epic playoff clash, the Avs and VGK are rated as the top two clubs in the Western Conference championship.

Vegas has been inconsistent with four wins in its last seven NHL Best Picks matchups.  Vegas is 1-3-1 under the total in its most recent five games.  The Golden Knights stand at 29-18-4 straight up and 28-20 over the total.

Last week, the big news for Vegas was that Jack Eichel came off the disabled list and immediately joined the regular lineup.  Of great concern to Vegas is their goaltending, defense, and the absence of injured Mark Stone.  Stone is out indefinitely with a back injury.  Also, top goaltender Robin Lehner was out with an upper-body issue.  But when Lehner was in the lineup, he was unreliable.  All of which worries gamblers about the VGK playoff prospects.

Colorado has seven payouts in their last ten games.  In their most recent eight games, the Avalanche are 1-6-1 under the NHL gambling total.  Now Colorado stands at 36-9-4 with 27-18 over the total.

CashBet Best Bet:

Colorado Avalanche