NHL Picks for March 4

Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers

My Pick: Florida Panthers (FLA)

The biggest game of the week in the NHL is as the Florida Panthers (41-16-4) go on the road to take on the New York Rangers (40-17-4). This game possesses great sports betting value with game lines, over/under and more. This game tonight also possesses a huge factor for the postseason race in the Eastern Conference, as it could be an Eastern Conference Finals.

Tonight will be the second game of the season, with the Panthers winning a 4-3 game at home on December 29. Panthers center Aleksander Barkov accounted for three assists, while center Sam Reinhart scored two goals.

The Panthers have become the team to beat in the NHL, as their defense has become one of the most efficient units in the league. They have won 14 of the last 16 games, with their only losses being a 2-1 home loss to Philadelphia and a 1-0 road loss to Carolina. Their defense has been elite, but their offense is the only unit that could be in question. The Panthers are ranked first in the league in goals allowed per game (2.36), while they are averaging 3.28 goals per game (11th in the league).

The Rangers are ranked fourth in the league in goals allowed per game (2.76). Seven of the last 12 games have been games where the Rangers have allowed one or fewer goals. Their offense has been efficient during the NHL All-Star Break. The Rangers are averaging 3.33 goals per game (eighth in the league).

Florida is the hottest team in the league, with its defense being elite at the right time. The Rangers have lost two of the last three games, as they have allowed four goals in the losses.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

My Pick: Vegas Golden Knights (VGK)

One game that isn’t going to attract a lot of attention from casual fans is the cross-conference matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights (33-21-7) and the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets (20-30-10). The Blue Jackets are a team that does not present much of a threat, not only in the race for the postseason, but also as a team on the ice. The Golden Knights are a team that hasn’t possessed great consistency in between games since the first two months of the season.

While this game is not going to be much of a factor in the playoff race (unless the Blue Jackets shock the Golden Knights), there is still great value to this game. There is great value on the sports gambling side, as there is a lack of definitive faith that the Golden Knights will come out with a decisive win.

The Golden Knights have fallen to third place in the Pacific Division and continue to show progress before the NHL All-Star Break. The Golden Knights are 4-7 in the games after the NHL All-Star Break and have lost five of the last six games. Vegas is coming off a tough 7-2 road loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

The Blue Jackets are not making themselves a huge threat to prominent teams. They have won four of the ten games played after the All-Star Break, with three of those wins coming against Chicago, Anaheim, and San Jose, some of the worst teams in the league.

Columbus’ defense alone should give Vegas a huge advantage coming into this game, as they allow an average of 3.65 goals per game (second worst in the league). There is not a lot of faith in Vegas during this season, but this line and this game should be one of the best choices to make in Monday’s NHL slate. 

Seattle Kraken vs. Calgary Flames

My Pick: Calgary Flames (CGY)

The final matchup of the night is set as the Seattle Kraken (26-23-11) go on the road to take on the Calgary Flames (30-25-5) in a key Pacific Divisional battle. The Flames have recently passed the Kraken in the Pacific Divisional standings and are now fighting for a potential Wild Card spot. The Kraken, meanwhile, have been up-and-down this season, with little consistency to rely on.

Calgary has won two of the three previous matchups this season, with the two wins both being on the road. The Flames have outscored the Kraken 10-6 in the win at Seattle.  The Kraken have won their only game in this series on the road with a 2-1 score. Tonight is the last game of the series this season.

Seattle has played five of the last ten games since coming out of the NHL All-Star Break and is coming off a 2-1 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers this past Saturday. Calgary has won eight of the 11 games played after the All-Star break, including its last five games. During this win streak, the Flames have defeated playoff juggernauts like the Winnipeg Jets, the Boston Bruins, the Edmonton Oilers, and the Los Angeles Kings.

The Flames have certainly improved on both sides of the ice as the season progresses. The Kraken have improved to become a top-ten defense, but their offense remains as one of the worst units in the league.

This is a game that the Flames should feel comfortable taking to improve their status as a playoff contender.