Wake up with VSiN Daily Morning Bets, a quick 15-minute podcast posted at 6:30 am ET highlighting the top games and biggest line moves of the day. For a full breakdown of Thursday’s betting action be sure to catch the VSiN Market Insights Podcast at 2:30 pm ET.
In the meantime, let’s examine where the smart money is leaning for Thursday’s NHL slate…
7 p.m. ET: Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning
The Bruins (38-5-4) have won six straight games and just beat the Canadiens 4-2, taking care of business as hefty -400 road favorites. Meanwhile, the Lightning (30-15-1) just snapped a two-game losing skid with a 4-2 win over the Wild, cashing in as -165 home favorites. This line opened at roughly a pick’em, with some books opening the Lightning a slight home favorite. Respected money has pounced on the best team in the NHL at a cheap price, steaming the Bruins up to a -115 road favorite. Road favorites off a win are 103-56 (65%) this season. Boston is 31-6 as a favorite and 16-4-1 on the road. Tampa Bay is 1-7 as a dog. The total is 6 with the over juiced to -120, signaling some over liability.
7 p.m. ET: Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals
The Penguins (24-15-8) have rotated wins and losses over their last five games and just beat the Panthers 7-6 in a shootout, cashing in as -165 home favorites. On the other hand, the Capitals (25-19-6) have lost three of their last four games and just fell to the Avalanche 3-2, losing as +115 road dogs. This line opened at roughly a pick’em, with some shops opening the Caps a slight home favorite. Smart money has laid the short chalk with the home team, steaming Washington up to -120. The Caps are 14-8 as a favorite. The Penguins are 1-8 as a dog. Pittsburgh is in a “fade” spot playing their third game in five days. We could also be looking at a lower scoring game, as the total is 6.5 with the under juiced to -115.
8 p.m. ET: New Jersey Devils at Nashville Predators
The Devils (31-12-4) have won seven of their last eight games and just took down the Golden Knights 3-2, cashing in as -170 home favorites. Similarly, the Predators (23-18-6) have won four of their last five games and just edged the Jets 2-1, winning as +100 home dogs. This line opened with New Jersey listed as a -120 road favorite and Nashville a +110 home dogs. Pros have laid the chalk with the Devils, steaming New Jersey up to -130. Teams receiving 10-cents of steam or more in non-division games and 249-149 (63%) this season. Road favorites off a win are 104-56 (65%). The Devils are 20-11 as a favorite. The Predators are 10-14 as a dog. New Jersey has the edge offensively (3.5 GPG vs 2.7 GPG) and particularly on the power play (21% vs 16%).