Expert NHL Best Bets and Predictions for Friday, March 15
Last night was another wild one in the NHL, as the playoff picture continues to have many plot twists. Tonight won’t be as crazy, considering there are only two games, but I am considering one of these games to be a “can’t lose” for a specific team that’s playing. Let’s take a look at my NHL best bet.
The Los Angeles Kings have been inconsistent during the second half of the season, but they’re still holding onto a playoff spot. They’re in third place in the Pacific division. Tonight, they take on the second-worst team in the NHL. Since some teams like the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues are trying to catch them, they need all the points they can get and a good candidate for an NHL best bet.
The Chicago Blackhawks have been horrible this season. Connor Bedard has had a phenomenal rookie campaign. He hasn’t had much to work with, especially since the Blackhawks have also been hit with the injury bug. However, Chicago has won their last two games. They have scored seven goals in each of those contest, but the teams they played were the Anaheim Ducks and the Arizona Coyotes, two of the other weaker teams in the NHL.
That said, even though their offense has been clicking in the last two games, the Blackhawks aren’t necessarily a team that is scary. Since the new year, this group has been averaging 1.90 goals per game and allowing 3.27 goals against each night.
The Kings haven’t been perfect, but they know how critical these points are. They have to take advantage of a weaker team like the Blackhawks. Arvid Soderblom is getting the start for Chicago tonight. He has had a very tough season. Soderblom is 4-18-1, yikes, while also skating to a .881 save percentage and a 3.88 goals against average.
Cam Talbot should be in goal for Los Angeles tonight. In his last seven starts he is skating to a 2.3 goals against average and a .926 save percentage.
The Kings have every edge in this game.
NHL Best Bet: Los Angeles Kings to win in regulation -165 (play to -175)
March Record: 14-13 (-1.91 units)
2023-24 record: 114–124 (-34.17 units)
