NHL matchups, odds to watch: March 8
NHL.com identifies key gameday matchups and players to watch throughout the 2023-24 season.
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1. Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche (9 p.m. ET; BSWIX, BSN, NHLN, ALT)
Over 0.5 assist for Casey Mittelstadt: +175
Under 0.5 assist for Mittelstadt: -230
The Avalanche acquired center Casey Mittelstadt in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, and he’s expected to make his debut against the Wild on Friday. Mittelstadt led Buffalo in points (47), assists (33) and even-strength points (39) this season and had an NHL career-high in points (59) last season.
Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is expected to return Friday after being in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, and Mittelstadt could be Colorado’s new No. 2 center on a line with Nichushkin, who has more than a point per game (42 in 40 games) this season. Mittelstadt has had at least one assist in 26 of his 50 games this season, including seven games with multiple assists.
2. Winnipeg Jets at Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; ROOT-NW, TSN3)
WPG puckline (-1.5 goals): +195
SEA puckline (+1.5 goals): -238
The Jets are 9-3-0 since Feb. 10, with five of those wins coming by multiple goals. They visit the Kraken, who have won consecutive games. Winnipeg lost its only game against Seattle 4-3 on Mar. 5. The Jets are tied for 17th in the NHL in goals per game (3.11) this season, while the Kraken are tied for the fifth fewest (2.76). Winnipeg is allowing the second-fewest goals per game (2.41) in the League.
Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck is tied with Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman for the best save percentage (.922) in the NHL this season (minimum 10 games). Winnipeg forward Nino Niederreiter is on a three-game goal streak (four in span) and has had at least three shots on goal in each of those games. Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey has 16 points (one goal, 15 assists) in his past nine games.
Kraken forward Jared McCann has six points (two goals, four assists) during his three-game point streak, at least three shots on goal in each of those games, and had three points (one goal, two assists) and three shots on goal against Winnipeg earlier this season.
3. Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET; BSSD, BSSW, BSSC, SN, TVAS)
DAL moneyline: -330
ANA moneyline: +250
The Stars are on a three-game winning streak but narrowly defeated the San Jose Sharks (15 wins, fewest in NHL) in each game of their home-and-home series (3-2 in a shootout at home Saturday; 7-6 in overtime on the road Tuesday). Dallas defenseman Chris Tanev made his debut Tuesday, and the Stars rallied from down 6-3 in the third period for the victory.
The Ducks have won three of their past four games but traded forward Adam Henrique to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday; forwards Frank Vatrano and Alex Killorn were tied with Henrique for their most points (each had four in four games) during that span. Dallas is 2-0-0 against Anaheim this season, led by defenseman Miro Heiskanen’s four points (two goals, two assists) in those two games.
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