NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (2/18)

Great slate of games tonight, and we’ll feature three, with each team poised to make a playoff run.

And here are our other top picks for Saturday:

Today’s Best NHL Bets

Washington Capitals (+165) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (-205) | O/U 5.5 (-114/-106)

The Canes are on top of the Metro, and by being one of the best teams on both sides of the puck, they have the best-Expected Goal Differential in the league.

They don’t depend on their top lines to provide all the scoring, as only Sebastian Aho is averaging at least a point a game, but they have nine players who have reached double digits in goals.

The Capitals need to get healthy, or they may miss the playoffs. They’ve dipped the last two months and, as a result, would currently miss the playoffs.

With how these two teams are currently playing, it’s hard to imagine a scenario, especially with this being the Stadium Series game in Raleigh, where the Canes don’t grab a win.

Pick: Hurricanes 60 Min ML (-128)

Colorado Avalanche (-192) vs. St. Louis Blues (+155) | O/U 6 (-122/+100)

The Blues continue to be the Blues and are one of the most streaky teams in the league. They recently had a five-game losing streak averaging two goals, and now, they’re on a three-game winning streak averaging 5.33 goals.

Jordan Binnington is the most streaky of them all. After allowing three or more goals in four straight games, in the last two, he’s allowed a combined four goals with a .944 save percentage.

The reigning champs are down some of their best players. One of the best-scoring defensemen Cal Makar could be sidelined, goalie Pavel Francouz will miss time, and Gabriel Landeskog has yet to step on the ice.

With all the injuries, I’m surprised that the Blues are a significant underdog. The Avs could be missing three defensemen and their starting goalie. With how well the St. Louis offense has been recently, I like the upset.

Pick: St. Louis ML (+155)

New York Rangers (+104) vs. Calgary Flames (-125) | O/U 6.5 (-118/-104)

The Rangers keep rolling, winners of seven straight, and move within a point of the Devils for second place in the Metro.

The offense has been incredible during this run, scoring an eye-popping 5.14 goals per game. Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanjed have been a stellar duo on the top line with combined ten goals in the last five games, and Artemi Panarin has 12 points (6 G, 6 A) in that span.

The Flames have been one of the more disappointing teams this year. Last season, they comfortably won the Pacific and made it to the Western Conference Semifinals.

They decided to revamp the offense in the offseason; some moves have worked, and others have not. Nazem Kadri has been a great pickup with 20 goals, but Jonathan Huberdeau is projected to have his lowest goal total since his 2016-17 season when he played only 31 games.

This has led to Calgary scoring less than last year and not holding in a playoff spot.

The Flames have the rest advantage with the Rangers on the second leg of a back-to-back. You might be inclined to grab New York on a heater, but you should be hesitant with the road team playing back-to-back against their fresh-legged opponent.

I love both offenses in this game, and I’m more confident in the over.