Took a few days off of NHL picks due to the start of the MLB season. Should have baseball picks soon. Back to the NHL!
Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Rangers
Carolina has clinched a playoff spot, New York should clinch theirs in the next few games. Both teams are allowing under 2.7 goals per game over their last 10. Both expected starting goalies are also having Vezina-caliber seasons. Igor Shesterkin is sporting a .935 SV% while Frederik Andersen has an equally impressive .925 SV%. Amazingly they both are allowing only 2.07 GAA on the season. These teams are very evenly matched, separated by 2 points. I think the Rangers get this done in front of their home crowd.
My Picks: u5.5 Total Goals, Rangers +110 ML
St. Louis Blues @ Boston Bruins
My pick here is more to do with the +EV money line. Both teams are playing really well right now. St. Louis is 7-2-1 over its last 10, while Boston in 7-3-1 over the same period. But the Blues are scoring goals at rapid clip – 4.20 goals/game over last 10. David Pastrnak is not expected to play, and Boston will miss him as he is their second leading scorer behind Brad Marchand. While Linus Ullmark has played well lately – 2.59 GAA, .912 SV% – St. Louis has the edge in goaltending in Ville Husso – 2.38 GAA, .924 SV%. These teams are separated by 1 point in overall NHL standings and should continue to play hard to secure their playoff spots.
My Pick: St. Louis +135 ML
Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is on fire and the bloom may be coming off the rose for Buffalo’s recent success. Buffalo has been a puck line cash register over the past month, but I don’t think that trend continues tonight at Scotiabank Arena. Buffalo is scoring a respectable 3.20 goals per game, but allowing a troubling 4.10 GPG over their last 10. Meanwhile the Leafs are burying 4.20 GPG over their last 10 but still allowing 3.20 GPG. Buffalo will miss the playoffs this year but should be excited about what they have built for next year. Toronto is sitting on 100 points for the season and should cash their playoff ticket in the next few games. The Leafs are also expected to start backup goalie Erik Kallgren in net tonight. I do have a play on over 7 total goals, but if that number scares you I have another play that I also like.
My Pick: Buffalo o2.5 team goals
AndyPicks 