We have some teams we expected to start the season off well and a couple that have shocked us in today’s best bets. Will we see any of these good teams go down?
Prop Bet Analyzer: View top-rated props and historical prop performance by player >>
Pittsburgh Penguins (-192) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (+158) o/u 6.5 (-118/-104)
The Penguins are coming as the best offensive team in the league and are scoring a league-best 4.50 points per game. The blue line and goaltending have also been incredible, and goaltender Tristian Jarry is currently fourth in save percentage and goals allowed per game.
The Blue Jackets started off the season poorly with three-straight losses, but they’ve rebounded and come in with back-to-back wins. Columbus’ big free agent signing, Johnny Gaudreau, has played well the last couple of games with three goals and four points.
Offensively the Blue Jackets still have the talent and depth to score on every line as the Penguins do. Pittsburgh has been playing well in their own zone and the special teams with a 31.3 power play percentage. The Pens will hold the Blue Jackets to just two-straight wins.
Pick: Penguins -1.5 (+132)
Minnesota Wild (+100) vs. Boston Bruins (-120) o/u 6.5 (-120/-102)
The Bruins have been incredible offensively, as they’re coming in with the third-most goals per game in the league. They’ve been especially dangerous in the TD Garden as they’re 3-0 and have a +6 goal differential in those games.
The Wild are looking like a team that will have a high draft pick. It took a third-period comeback and an overtime goal to beat the winless Canucks at home for their first win.
Minnesota is coming into this game allowing the most goals per game and the worst save percentage. Boston is playing excellent offensively and without Brad Marchand. The B’s should have a big win today, and even with generous moneyline odds, it’s easy to grab.
Pick: Bruins ML
Buffalo Sabers (+140) vs. Vancouver Canucks (-170) o/u 6.5 (-112/-108)
Could it finally be Buffalo’s time? This long-time struggling team has an excellent start, winning three of four, including upset road wins over the Flames and Oilers. Eric Comrie is starting his tenure in Buffalo with 2.30 goals and a .930 save percentage, and the special teams have also been excellent, with 12-of-14 penalty kills.
The Canucks have had many opportunities to grab wins, but they haven’t been able to finish. They’ve been leading or tied in the third quarter of each game this season, but they’ve struggled in their own zone each time.
Vancouver finally gets home after a five-game road trip, and sometimes you just need to play in front of your home crowd. The Sabers haven’t earned some great road wins, but I like the Canucks to get their first win. The odds are a little too large and I don’t trust the Canucks to win on the puck line, but I like the over with its value.
Pick: Over 6.5
Join the BettingPros Discord Chat for Live Betting Advice >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners — or head to more advanced strategies — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.
Hockey, Picks