We are loving the action throughout this impressive NHL season so far. As we move into the final stretch of the season, each division’s ladder has already become well formed. This means that every single win or loss can have an impact on the position each team will finish in when the regular season draws to a close, so it is important that you don’t miss any of the action!
Here at SportsTips, we are just as keen on the NHL as you are! We spend each and every day going through the best games and previewing them for you. Our experts offer up their free NHL picks, which means that you not only get enjoyment out of watching some intriguing games, but also make extra cash while doing so!
Look below to find our free NHL picks, as we preview the four games on today’s schedule.
Ottawa Senators @ Columbus Blue Jackets – 7.00PM ET
The first game on Friday night’s slate in the NHL will see the Ottawa Senators hit the ice against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is a clash between two teams that will not be making an appearance in the postseason. The Senators come into this game with a record of 29-41-7, while the Blue Jackets have a season record of 35-36-6.
Marko Nadin
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 35-36-6 record and the playoff chances long gone. They have lost the last three games and are coming off a 2-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks. The Blue Jackets are 13th in the league scoring 3.2 goals per game and 29th allowing 3.7 goals per game. Columbus has won 7 of the last 10 games against Ottawa, 14 of the last 17 games as favorites and 9 of the last 12 games against teams with a losing record under 40%.
The Ottawa Senators are 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 29-71-7 record. They have won 3 of the last 5 games and are coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks. The Senators are 26th in the league scoring 2.7 goals per game and 23rd in the league allowing 3.2 goals per game. Ottawa has won 6 of the last 8 games against teams with a losing record, 5 of the last 7 against Eastern Conference rivals but have lost 9 of the last 13 games following a win.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Over 6.5 (-115)
Tony Battalio
It’s been a long year for both of these teams as the Ottawa Senators are set to face off with the Columbus Blue Jackets in this one. Ottawa comes into this one with a record of 29-41-7 through their first 77 games of the season. They have been eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention for a while at this point as their focus is likely shifted towards the offseason and the draft. Ottawa is currently on a one game winning streak after picking up a win in their last game. They are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been super inconsistent this season. As they have been out of the playoff race for about a month or so now. Columbus comes into this game with a record of 35-36-6 through their first 77 games of the regular season. Columbus is only a few pieces away from being a playoff contender next season in my opinion. They come into this game on a three game losing streak after losing back to back to back games to the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks on a west coast road trip. As for the result of this one however, I am taking the Blue Jackets to get the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets (-120)
Jeffery Thomas
The Ottawa Senators will travel to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets in a Friday night battle of two teams that are not going to be involved in the postseason festivities. The Senators have been off since Tuesday, when they got a 4-3 shootout victory over the Vancouver Canucks. It was a comeback effort from the Sens, who had to rally from down 0-2 to secure their 29th victory of the season.
Two bad teams here and in that case you usually just side with the home team but I’m going to go with the Senators in this one. It’s good value for a team coming off a win over a desperate Canucks team and I’m more than okay betting against the Jackets who have not been playing good hockey for a long time. I like the Senators to get this win on the road to kick off the weekend.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Ottawa Senators (+100)
Seattle Kraken @ Minnesota Wild – 8.00PM ET
The Seattle Kraken kick off their three game road trip tonight with a game against the Minnesota Wild. The Kraken seem to be playing their best ice hockey at the moment, they are on a three game winning streak, beating the Devils, Senators and Avalanche, but it is too little too late, as they have already been long eliminated from the playoffs. The Wild on the other hand, have been confirmed for the playoffs, and they are currently in a tight battle with the Blues for the second and third spot in the Central Division.
Marko Nadin
The Minnesota Wild are third in the Western Conference with a 49-21-7 record. They have won 6 of the last 7 games and are coming off a 6-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks. The Wild are fifth in the league scoring 3.7 goals per game and 17th allowing 3 goals per game. Minnesota has won the last game against the Kraken 4-2. They have also won the last 5 games against Pacific Division teams, 41 of the last 52 games going in as favorites and 19 of the last 26 games played on a Friday.
The Seattle Kraken are 15th in the Western Conference with a 26-44-6 record. They have won the last 3 games, most recently 3-2 over the best team in the league, the Colorado Avalanche. The Kraken are ranked 29th in the league scoring 2.6 goals per game and 24th allowing 3.4 goals per game. Seattle has won 5 of the last 6 games against teams from the Central Division but have lost 25 of the last 35 road games. Seattle has played over the total goals margin in 5 of the last 6 games against Western Conference rivals.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Minnesota Wild (-285)
Tony Battalio
The Seattle Kraken have not been having a great season in their first year in the National Hockey League. They come into this game with a record of 26-44-6 through their first 76 games of the season. I feel like they were given way too high expectations after the success of the Vegas Golden Knights in their first season in the league. Seattle comes into this one sitting in last place of the Pacific Division, but they are currently on a three game winning streak at the moment that they will be looking to extend in this one.
The Minnesota Wild will be playing the second game of a back to back in this one. In game number one they got a win over the Vancouver Canucks and the win pretty much puts in a nail in the coffin of their playoff hopes. Minnesota comes into this one in second place in the Central Division as they are getting hot at the right time heading into the Stanley Cup playoffs. They come into this one with a record of 49-21-7 through their first 77 games of the season. As for the result of this one, I’m taking the Minnesota Wild to get their second win in two days.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Minnesota Wild (-285)
Jeffery Thomas
The Seattle Kraken will take their hot streak on the road for a battle against the Wild in Minnesota on Friday night. Seattle had a very successful three-game homestand going 3-0 and knocking out the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, and Colorado Avalanche in the process. It’s a promising sign for the expansion Kraken who have otherwise had a disappointing year, but will try and build on this recent run and carry it into their second season next year.
The Kraken are on a nice run but Friday is where all of that will come to an end. The Wild are the better team in every aspect and have been playing some of the best hockey in the league recently. There’s no other way for me to look other than a blowout in favor of the Wild here.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Minnesota Wild -1.5 (-106)
Colorado Avalanche @ Edmonton Oilers – 9.00PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche are in the middle of their three game road trip tonight when they face off against the Edmonton Oilers. The Avalanche already have the top spot in the Central Division all locked up, but they are currently on a two game losing streak, with losses to the Capitals and Kraken. The Oilers are yet to be officially confirmed for the playoffs, but they currently hold a small lead over the Kings for second place in the Pacific Division.
Marko Nadin
The Edmonton Oilers are fifth in the Western Conference with a 45-26-6 record. They have won the last three games, two of which by keeping a clean sheet and the last one 5-2 against the Dallas Stars. The Oilers are seventh in the league scoring 3.4 goals per game and fourth converting 25.8% of the power play situations. Edmonton has won the last 7 games when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and the last 4 games after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
The Colorado Avalanche are the best team in the league with a 55-16-6 record. After winning nine consecutive games, the Avalanche lost the last two, by 2-3 to Washington and Seattle. Colorado is ranked third in the league with 3.8 goals per game and sixth in the league allowing 2.7 goals per game. Colorado has won 6 of the last 10 games against Edmonton including the last three. They have also won 8 of the last 9 games when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-102)
Tony Battalio
The Colorado Avalanche have been one of the best teams in the National Hockey League this season. Even after a slow start to the year that had people doubting if they really were the favorites to win the Stanley Cup this year. Colorado comes into this one as Central Division champions with a record of 55-16-6 through their first 77 games of the season. At this point anything less than a trophy at the end of the year would make this a disappointing season for the franchise. As they look to be the strongest team in the league as long as they stay healthy heading into the playoffs.
The Edmonton Oilers also had a similar slow start to the season despite having two of the best players in the National Hockey League this season. They have since recovered and now come into this game with a record of 45-26-6 through their first 77 games of the season. They are in a great position heading into the postseason as they will likely finish second in the Pacific Division behind the Calgary Flames. As for the result of this game between two of the top teams in the Western Conference, I’m taking the Colorado Avalanche to pick up the win over Edmonton.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-118)
Jeffery Thomas
Both the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers will be in action on Friday after getting Thursday off to prepare for this battle in Canada. The Avalanche lost to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday for their second consecutive loss after winning 9 straight. The loss gives the Florida Panthers a chance to pass Colorado for most points in the league with a win on Thursday so there could be some added motivation for the Avs in this bout with the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers were also in action on Wednesday, taking down the Dallas Stars 5-2 for their third straight victory.
The Oilers are now 11-0-1 in their last twelve home games but extending that streak will not be easy. A three-game losing streak for the best team in the league seems unheard of but the Oilers can make that happen for the Avs with a win on Friday. This three-game winning streak for Edmonton has seen them beat the Predators, Knights and Stars by a combined score of 13-2 and you just simply can’t bet against a team playing like that. Give me the Oilers in this one to keep the hot streak going at home.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-102)
Washington Capitals @ Arizona Coyotes – 10.30PM ET
The last game on the slate for Friday night in the NHL will see the Washington Capitals hit the ice against the Arizona Coyotes. The Capitals currently hold the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and they are confirmed to make an appearance in the playoffs in 2022. The Coyotes have one of the worst records in the league, currently at 22-49-6, and they are just waiting for the season to end.
Marko Nadin
The Arizona Coyotes are at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 22-49-6 record. They have lost the last 8 games and are coming off a 3-4 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Coyotes are scoring the league lowest 2.4 goals per game and are ranked 30th in the league allowing 3.8 goals per game. Arizona has won 6 of the last 10 games against Washington but have lost 22 of the last 31 games against Eastern Conference teams and 43 of the last 53 games against teams with a winning record.
The Washington Capitals are 8th in the Eastern Conference with a 43-23-11 record. They have won 6 of the last 8 games but are coming off a 3-4 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Capitals are 9th in the league scoring 3.4 goals per game and 14th allowing 2.9 goals per game. They have won 7 of the last 9 road games, 4 of the last 5 going in as favorites but have lost 4 of the last 5 games against Western Conference teams.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals (-420)
Tony Battalio
The Washington Capitals come into this one with a record of 43-23-11 through their first 77 games of the season. They have already qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs this season and as long as Alexander Ovechkin can remain healthy, they are a dark horse team to bring home their second Stanley Cup in the last few seasons. They currently find themselves in a tie for third place in the Metropolitan Division as they are level on points with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the third spot, which would make the difference between a top spot and a Wild Card spot.
The Arizona Coyotes have been one of the worst teams in the National Hockey League this season. As they come into this one with a record of 22-49-6 through their first 77 games of the regular season. They have even had off the ice issues as they were nearly locked out of their own arena due to non payment issues. They have been out of the playoff race for the majority of the year, and they will be looking to switch their focus to the offseason and the draft to improve for next season. As for the result of this game, I am taking the Washington Capitals to get the victory.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals (-420)
Jeffery Thomas
The Washington Capitals will travel to Arizona to take on the lowly Coyotes in hopes of keeping their hot run going. The Caps have won 6 of their last 8 but did drop the game to the Vegas Knights on Wednesday 4-3 in overtime. That loss squandered a chance for Washington to move out of the Wild Card and into third place in the Metro Division ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the Penguins in action on Thursday, they will likely have to play catch up now and hope for 2 points against the Coyotes who have lost eight straight games.
The Coyotes have given up 4 or more goals in every game during their losing streak and have lost every game except one by 2 or more goals. With the red-hot Caps coming in we will definitely see that losing streak continue and I’m comfortable backing Washington to cover the spread as a motivated squad trying to improve their positioning in the playoffs. Give me the Caps to win this one big, like every other Arizona opponent has been doing.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals -2.5 (+118)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
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