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 a significant 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 five games on today’s schedule.
Washington Capitals @ Buffalo Sabres – 7.00PM ET
The Washington Capitals have just one game on the road when they travel to Buffalo to face off against the Sabres. The Capitals will be looking to get back on track after losing their last two games in a row against the Stars and Blues. The Sabres are, surprisingly, on a three game winning streak, and have won five of their last six games, taking their season record to 23-33-8.
Marko Nadin
The Buffalo Sabres are 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 23-33-8 record. The Sabres picked up their form a little too late after they lost any chances for the playoffs. Buffalo has won 5 of the last 6 games and the last three after finishing in a tie in regulation. The Sabres are coming off a 4-3 shootout win over Pittsburgh. Buffalo is ranked 26th in the league with 2.6 scored and 3.5 allowed goals per game. They have lost 24 of the last 33 games against conference rivals and 43 of the last 57 games coming in after one-day rest.
The Washington Capitals are 8th in the Eastern Conference with a 35-20-10 record. After winning four straight games, the Capitals have lost the last two, against Dallas and St. Louis. The Capitals have won 8 of the last 10 games against Buffalo and both games so far this season. They are ranked 10th in the league with 3.3 goals per game. Washington has won the last 4 games against conference rivals and 5 of the last 6 games playing after 2 days off.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals (-210)
Tony Battalio
The Washington Capitals come into this game with a record of 35-20-10 through their first 65 games of the season. They are currently in fourth place in the Metropolitan division at the moment, but are sitting in one of the wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. As long as Alexander Ovechkin can stay healthy the Washington Capitals will be a Stanley Cup title threat in my opinion. Washington is currently on a two game losing streak after dropping back to back games to the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars.
Buffalo bound#ALLCAPS | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/oXRED3QEa3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 24, 2022
The Buffalo Sabres have been one of the worst teams in the National Hockey League over the last handful of years. It doesn’t seem to be getting better anytime soon for the Sabres either after they traded away star player Jack Eichel to Las Vegas earlier this year. The Sabres come into this game with a record of 23-33-8 through their first 64 games of the season. As they are 18 games under .500 at the moment and already all but officially eliminated from the playoffs. As for the result of this game I have the Washington Capitals getting the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals (-210)
Jeffery Thomas
The Washington Capitals got off to a great start in March, winning seven of eight, but have faltered a bit, now losing two straight coming into this Friday night game. The last loss was at home to the Blues on Tuesday by the score of 5-2. With 17 games remaining in the season the Caps have pretty much locked up a playoff spot in the East and on Friday will be taking on a Buffalo team that has no playoff hopes left with a record of 23-33-8. That’s not stopping them from playing the role of spoiler as they’ve won three straight, all against teams currently slated to or fighting to make the postseason (Flames, Canucks, Penguins). Will the Sabres make it four straight on Friday night when they host Alex Ovechkin and the Caps?
The Sabres mailed it in early in the year and for that reason won’t be playing into the postseason, but are playing their best hockey of the season right now. Now they get a Caps team off two losses and it’s a matchup they have been competitive in this season. I think there is good value on the Sabres on the spread here at home, as a win outright isn’t out of the cards with how well they’ve been playing.
Jeff’s NHL Pick: Buffalo Sabres +1.5 (-154)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers – 7.00PM ET
A very interesting matchup between two teams of the Metropolitan Division, when the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to New York to face off against the Rangers. The Penguins had their three game winning streak snapped last time out, as they went down to the Sabres, 3-4, in a shootout. The Rangers have won four of their last six games, and last time out they were beaten by the Devils, 4-7.
Marko Nadin
The New York Rangers have failed to the fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 40-19-5 record. They have lost 2 of the last 4 games and are coming off a surprising 7-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils. That was only the second time this season the Rangers allowed 7 goals after the best team in the league Colorado scored 7 against NY. The Rangers are still the fourth best defense in the league allowing 2.6 goals per game and are ranked second defending 86.4% of the power play situations.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are third in the Eastern Conference with a 39-16-10 record. They were on a three-game winning streak before losing 4-3 after a shootout to Buffalo. Pittsburgh has won 7 of the last 10 games against the Rangers with the last one 1-0 win earlier this season. The Penguins are the third best defense in the league allowing 2.6 goals per game. They have won 22 of the last 30 games as a road favorite and 19 of the last 28 games against Eastern Conference teams.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Under 6 Goals (+100)
Tony Battalio
This is going to be the best game of the Friday evening slate. As two of the best teams in the Metropolitan division and the entire Eastern Conference as well. As the Pittsburgh Penguins will meet the New York Rangers in this huge matchup. These two teams are only separated by three points for second place in the Metropolitan division. The Pittsburgh Penguins come into this matchup with a record of 39-16-10 through their first 65 games of the season. They are currently on a one game losing streak.
When you need a little something extra to make it to tomorrow: just look at this. 😄 pic.twitter.com/ES96aWXM06
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 24, 2022
The New York Rangers also come into this game having lost their last game. They come into this one with a record of 40-19-5 through their first 64 games of the season. New York is one of the biggest surprises of the season this year as not many people expected them to be in the running for a Stanley Cup. They will look to continue to prove the doubters wrong with a win in this game against a tough Pittsburgh Penguins team. As for the result of this game I have the Rangers getting the win over Pittsburgh at home.
Tony’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (+105)
Jeffery Thomas
Possible first-round playoff matchup here on Tuesday when the New York Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night. The Rangers were dealt a 7-4 loss at the hands of the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday in what was another struggle performance by the usually reliable Igor Shesterkin. In his last five games his record is 2-3-0 and has been pulled from the last two games he’s started. A bounce-back will be tough to come by against this great Penguins offense that added one of the best players that were available at the trade deadline in forward Rickard Rakell. Pittsburgh will also be looking for a nice bounce-back performance after losing in a shootout 4-3 to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.
These two teams have met once before this season, a few weeks ago and the Penguins pulled out the win 1-0 on an Evgeni Malkin winner. For that reason, I’m more inclined to side with the home Rangers to avenge that loss in what I see as a big bounce-back performance for Igor who plays his best hockey at home. Give me the Rangers in this spot.
Jeff’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (+105)
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Winnipeg Jets – 8.00PM ET
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the middle of their three game road trip and on Friday night they will take on the Winnipeg Jets. The Blue Jackets have won four of their last six games, but they will be looking to get back on track after the beat down they got in their last game against the Penguins, losing 1-5. The Jets are playing on back-to-back nights and last time out they
Marko Nadin
The Columbus Blue Jackets are ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-29-3 record. They are 13 points behind the eighth place that leads to the playoffs and the Jackets will have to go on a winning streak in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. Columbus has won 3 of the last 5 games but are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both teams have split the last 10 games but Columbus has won the last two. The Blue Jackets have won 7 of the last 8 games against teams with a losing record.
The Winnipeg Jets are tenth in the Western Conference with a 30-25-10 record. They have won 3 of the last 5 games and are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Jets are 14th in the league with 3.1 goals per game and 18th with 3 goals allowed per game. Winnipeg has lost 11 of the last 15 games against Eastern Conference playoffs and the last 7 Friday games. They have played over the total goals margin in 5 of the last 6 games playing without a day of and in 11 of the last 20 home games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Winnipeg Jets (-205)
Tony Battalio
The Columbus Blues Jackets are as good as done when it comes to getting a Stanley Cup playoff spot this season. They are double digit points out of the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and cannot seem to get hot when they need to the most. The Blue Jackets come into this game with a record of 32-29-3 through their first 64 games of the season. They are currently in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division at the moment.
“We didn’t play the hockey that we need to play to win games.”
The #NHLJets dropped a 5-2 decision after falling behind in the third period to the Senators. #JetsTV‘s @MitchellClinton recaps the loss at @CanadaLifeCtr.
READ: https://t.co/LXhLU209RZ
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 25, 2022
The Winnipeg Jets will be playing the second game of a back to back in this one. In the first game of two straight in two nights they picked up a big loss against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday evening. Now they will be looking to bounce back from the loss and get a big win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Winnipeg is having a rough year as they come into this game with a record of 30-25-10 however, despite being under .500 they are still very much in the playoff race. As for the result of this one, I have the Columbus Blue Jackets getting the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets (+168)
Jeffery Thomas
The Columbus Blue Jackets were brought back down to Earth last time out, losing 5-1 in Pittsburgh to stop a run of four wins in the last five games. CBJ goalie Joonas Korpisalo has always struggled with the Pens in his career and the loss dropped his career mark to 1-5-1 all-time against Pittsburgh. Columbus is now 0-3 in meetings with them this year and will get one last shot to avoid the season sweep on April 29th, but for now their focus will shift to the Winnipeg Jets. Those Jets were in action on Thursday night, losing 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators at home. Winnipeg got the opening goal 8 minutes in, but then conceded four unanswered goals over the next 40+ minutes of the game, which ultimately led to the defeat. Now they will stay home for the second leg of the back-to-back and hope for better results against Columbus.
Ottawa hasn’t been too successful in these compact schedule situations this year and will now get a well-rested Columbus team that already owns a 3-0 win over Winnipeg this season. Starting goalie Elvis Merzlikins will also be back for the CBJ in this game so that’s a big boost to the goaltending. I like Columbus to keep this one close and possibly win it outright, as they’ve been getting some good results lately.
Jeff’s NHL Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 (-160)
Philadelphia Flyers @ Colorado Avalanche – 9.00PM ET
The road trip continues on for the Philadelphia Flyers, who on Friday will meet the Colorado Avalanche. The Flyers are playing on back-to-back nights after facing off against the Blues last night, in a game they
The Avalanche had their four game winning streak snapped last time out, courtesy of the Canucks, 1-3.
Marko Nadin
The Colorado Avalanche are the best team in the league with a 45-14-5 record. They were on a four-game winning streak before losing 3-1 against Vancouver. The Avalanche are the second-best scoring team in the league with 3.8 goals per game and seventh allowing 2.8 goals per game. Colorado has won 4 of the last 5 games against Philadelphia. The Avalanche have lost only 9 of their last 55 home games and have won 41 of the last 53 games as favorites. They have played over the total goals margin in 4 of the last 5 game and in the last 5 Friday games.
The Philadelphia Flyers are 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 21-32-11 record. They have won 3 of the last 5 games and are coming off a 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. The Flyers are scoring 2.5 goals per game which ranks them among the two worst teams in the league. Philadelphia has lost 20 of the last 27 games playing without a day off and 40 of the last 53 games against teams with a winning record.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-450)
Tony Battalio
The Philadelphia Flyers are playing the second game of a back to back in this game. In the first night of their back to back they beat the St.Louis Blues 5-2. Despite the big win it has still been a rough season for the Philadelphia Flyers as they come into this game with a record of 21-32-11 through their first 64 games of the season. Philadelphia is currently in seventh place in the Metropolitan division and all but officially eliminated from the playoffs this season.
Last year, the action of one changed a community forever.
We continue to honor the victims and those affected by the actions taken last year.
We are #BoulderStrong. #GoAvsGo” pic.twitter.com/1bY3Sq8psg
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 24, 2022
The Colorado Avalanche were the preseason favorites to win the Stanley Cup and they are the current favorites to win the Stanley Cup. They come into this game with the best record in the National Hockey League at the moment. On the season they are 45-14-5 through their first 64 games of the season. They have absolutely run away with the Central division and should clinch as soon as game number 75 at the rate. As for the result of this game I have the Avalanche getting the victory.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-450)
Jeffery Thomas
The Philadelphia Flyers will travel to Colorado to take on the Avalanche after beating up on the St. Louis Blues Thursday night. It was a 5-2 win over the Blues on the road, which snapped a 13-game winless streak away from home for the Flyers. Another losing streak may be getting started on Friday though, as the Avs are very good at home and will surely be very upset after their last game being a 3-1 loss to the Canucks on home ice. That was the first loss in four games for the Avs, who still lead the NHL in points with 95.
We’ve seen this matchup just once before this season, way back on December 6 with the Avalanche winning 7-5 in Philadelphia. The Avs covered the spread and the game went over which is exactly how I see this game playing out again. The better value is on the over with Colorado being such big favorites so that’s the play I like best here. Also not mad at an Avalanche/over 6.5 same game parlay here.
Jeff’s NHL Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-128)
Arizona Coyotes @ Calgary Flames – 9.00PM ET
The Arizona Coyotes kick off a three game road trip on Friday night in the NHL when they travel to Calgary to take on the Flames. The Coyotes are currently on a three game losing streak, which has dropped their season record even further down to 20-39-4. The Flames have been alternating wins and losses for the last six games, and last time out, they were defeated by the Sharks, 3-4.
Marko Nadin
The Arizona Coyotes are at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 20-39-4 record. They have lost the last three games, allowing 4 goals in each of them. The Coyotes are shooting a league-low 25.7 shots on goal per game and are third-worst with 2.6 goals per game. Arizona has played very well on the road lately winning 5 of the last 7 games. They have lost 7 of the last 9 games playing after two-day rest and 9 of the last 11 games played on Friday. Arizona has played over the total goal margin in 6 of the last 8 road games.
The Calgary Flames have struggled in the past couple of weeks after going on a ten-game winning streak. The Flames are still second in the Western Conference with a 38-17-8 record. Calgary has lost 3 of the last 5 games and are coming off a 4-3 home loss to the San Jose Sharks. Calgary has won the last 3 nad 7 of the last 10 games against Arizona. The Flames have won 12 of the last 15 games against teams from the Western Conference and 15 of the last 19 home games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-450)
Tony Battalio
The Arizona Coyotes have been the worst team in the National Hockey League this season. They have even had their fair share of troubles off of the ice as well. They come into this game with a record of 20-39-4 through their first 63 games of the season. The Coyotes are all but officially eliminated from the playoffs at this point as they are at the bottom of the Central division.
“I know my role … I know what I have to do to contribute to the team.”
Newly acquired Flame Ryan Carpenter on his mindset, as he and Erik Gudbranson checked in with the media following practice. pic.twitter.com/tenbqhi2cx
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 24, 2022
The Calgary Flames are one of the hottest teams in the National Hockey League at the moment. They come into this game with a record of 38-17-8 through their first 64 games of the season. The Flames are currently in first place of the Pacific division and running away with it as well. As for the result of this game I have the Calgary Flames getting the victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-450)
Jeffery Thomas
The Arizona Coyotes got off to a hot 6-1 start to March but have recently fallen back into the struggles that did them in early in the year. They’re now sitting on three straight losses to the Penguins, Sharks, and Kraken and have given up exactly 4 goals in each game. This slide now has Arizona right back at the bottom of the league, tied with the Canadiens for the least amount of points in the NHL (44). For Calgary, it’s been a return back down to Earth. After a crazy run, winning 18 of 22 games, the Flames have alternated wins and losses for the last five games, including a 4-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.
The Flames have cooled off but so have the Coyotes and Calgary hold the upper hand in every facet of the game. As I’ve highlighted the Flames have been alternating wins and losses, meaning they tend to avenge their losses and we should expect more of the same against the inferior Coyotes on Friday night. In fact, I see it being a rout so I’m taking Calgary on the puck line.
Jeff’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames -1.5 (+106)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
