The NHL continues to wind its way through the season, though postponements are playing a big part in the games available to watch each week, especially with the Canadian based teams.
That hasn’t stopped the league from exciting us though, and the Central Division in particular, is really shining right now. The top four in that division are all entering the week on winning streaks, Colorado and Nashville have won their last four, while St Louis and Minnesota have both won their last two.
Monday
As mentioned, the Colorado Avalanche have won their last four games, and look to have a golden opportunity to win their fifth in a row on Monday night when they host the Seattle Kraken.
The Kraken have won just two of their last 10, sit bottom of the Pacific Division, and their first season in the NHL has certainly not gone to plan.
The Avs are a very short price to win this game, rightfully so, and for a bet on the contest, the best way is to look at the anytime scorer market. The Finnish winger has scored three goals in five games, and a total of 12 points from those, he is flying right now, and worth a look in the anytime scorer market.
Tuesday
The Avalanche go back to back at the start of the week, and we stick with them on Tuesday for a huge Central Division matchup against the Nashville Predators.
In terms of the bigger Central Division picture, Colorado are strong favourites to win this, while Nashville are still a big price, despite starting the week at the top of the standings.
Nashville are the home team, and a win for them would likely see their odds shorten for winning the division.
Wednesday
We go to Boston on a quiet Wednesday to see the Bruins take on the Montreal Canadians. Teams based in Canada are struggling for games at the moment, this will be the first time the Canadians have played since New Year’s Day, so rust and match sharpness is likely to be an issue.
The Bruins are the better team in this game, add onto that the issues the Canadians have faced, and we like the Bruins to win this one. Watch out for the odds being released on Tuesday ahead of this one, to see what is on offer for Boston to win the game, and on the handicap line.
Thursday
A huge night with 11 games on the schedule, postponements permitting of course, so plenty of action to get stuck into.
There are plenty of games that look a little one-sided on paper, but one that doesn’t comes right at the end of the night, a game that doesn’t start until 3:30am UK time and that is the Pittsburgh Penguins in Los Angeles to face the LA Kings.
Both teams are on the cusp of the playoffs, and the Penguins have got there thanks to an incredible recent run. At the start of the week, they had won nine of their last 10 games, look for what they do in the early part of the week, and they will be of interest here if they can maintain that strong form.
The Penguins begin the week five points off top spot in the Metropolitan Division, but have games in hand over two of the three teams above them. A continuation of recent form will see them challenge for top spot very soon, and they are certainly a team to keep an eye on right now.
Friday
We have the usual quiet Friday night, but the team to watch here is certainly the Florida Panthers, they host the Dallas Stars in one of three games on the schedule.
The Panthers start the week at the top of the Atlantic Division, ahead of back to back champions Tampa Bay, and many people’s pick for the cup, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Whether it is division winners, conference winners or to take the Stanley Cup, with each week that the Panthers continue to impress, their odds for success are shortening.
Saturday
13 games on the schedule this Saturday, and perhaps the best way to look at this from the perspective of watchers in the UK is to highlight the three afternoon games, offering UK friendly start times.
- Nashville @ Boston – 6pm UK
- Vancouver @ Carolina – 6pm UK
- Washington @ New York Islanders – 7pm UK
All three offer fans the chance to get involved at a sensible time. If you’re looking for picks in the games, at an early look, we like Boston, Carolina and Washington in the games, with Carolina being good enough for the handicap line.
Sunday
Sunday’s in the NHL are quiet for the next few weeks as the NFL takes centre stage in the US, so we have just one game on the schedule. However, the good news is that the game is at a friendly UK time, with Washington hosting the Vancouver Canucks at 7pm on Sunday.
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