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 best five games on today’s schedule.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Nashville Predators – 12.30PM ET
The Chicago Blackhawks are on the road for just one game when they travel to Nashville to take on the Predators. The Blackhawks finally put an end to their eight game losing streak last time out, with a win over the Sharks, 5-4, in a shootout, but they have been firmly out of playoff contention for a long time. The Predators are fighting for their playoff lives right now, as they hold the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
Marko Nadin
The Nashville Predators are sixth in the 6th in the Western Conference with a 42-27-5 record and they have only two points more than the Vegas Golden Knights who are ninth. Nashville has lost three of the last four games and are coming off a 0-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Predators are 8th in the league converting 23.8% of the power play situations and 11th allowing 2.9 goals per game. They have won 8 of the last 10 games over the Chicago Blackhawks, and 36 of the last 53 home games.
The Chicago Blackhawks are having a disappointing season as they are 14th in the Western Conference with a 25-38-11 record. The Blackhawks are coming off a 5-4 shootout win over the San Jose Sharks which put an end to their eight-game losing streak. Chicago is ranked 26th in the league allowing 3.5 goals per game and 27th scoring 2.6 goals per game. The Blackhawks have lost 35 of the last 52 games against Western Conference opponents and 4 of the last 5 games played after one day rest.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Nashville Predators (-320)
Tony Battalio
The Chicago Blackhawks got off to a horrible start in the 2021-22 National Hockey League season. Unfortunately for them, they were never able to quite fully recover and it led to them missing the Stanley Cup playoffs this season. They come into this game with a record of 25-38-11 through their first 74 games of the season. They currently sit in seventh place in the Central Division and that is where they are going to finish the year as well. They will look to head into the off-season and add some key pieces to help them come back stronger next season and hopefully more competitive.
The Nashville Predators are still in the middle of a playoff race in the Western Conference as the regular season is winding down fast. They come into this game with a record of 42-27-5 through their first 74 games of the season. With only eight games remaining in the regular season, the Predators find themselves in fourth place of the Central Division. As they hold onto the top wild card spot in the Western Conference and are closing in on clinching a playoff berth. As for the result of this game, I am taking the Nashville Predators to get the victory.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Nashville Predators (-320)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Boston Bruins – 12.30PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the road on Saturday in the NHL when they face off against the Boston Bruins. The Penguins have officially been confirmed for the playoffs in 2022, and they have a season record of 43-22-11. The Bruins are in the first Wild Card spot of the Eastern Conference, as they have a three point lead over the Capitals for the second spot.
Marko Nadin
The Boston Bruins are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 45-24-5 record. They have lost the last three games scoring exactly 2 goals in each of those. Most recently the Bruins lost 2-3 to the Ottawa Senators. Boston is ranked second in the league with 36.1 shots on goal per game and fifth in the league allowing only 2.7 goals per game. The Bruins have won 12 of the last 16 games played after one day rest, 9 of the last 13 games against Eastern Conference opponents and 5 of the last 6 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 43-22-11 record. They have lost 5 of the last 7 games and are coming off a 6-3 win over the New York Islanders. The Penguins are 9th in the league scoring 3.3 goals per game and 6th allowing 2.7 goals per game. Pittsburgh has won 3 of the last 5 games against the Bruins, 19 of the last 26 games when their opponent scores 2 or less goals in the previous game but have lost the last 4 games following a win and 5 of the last 6 road games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Boston Bruins (-126)
Tony Battalio
This one is going to be one of the better games of the evening slate as the Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Boston Bruins in this Eastern Conference matchup. The Pittsburgh Penguins come into this game having already locked up their Stanley Cup playoff spot with a record of 43-22-11 through their first 76 games of the season. The Penguins still have a shot to win the Metropolitan Division as they trail the Hurricanes by seven points at the moment. However, that means this game is basically a must win for them at this point as they only have six regular season games left and a max possibility of 12 points.
The Boston Bruins have put together a respectable season this year. As they are likely looking to make one final run with their core of Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins come into this matchup sitting in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 45-24-5 through their first 74 games of the season. Boston has yet to officially clinch a Stanley Cup playoff spot but it’s only a matter of time for them as the only team that can catch them is 16 points behind with eight games left to play. As for the result of this one however, I have the Pittsburgh Penguins taking home the victory.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins (+105)
Vegas Golden Knights @ Edmonton Oilers – 4.00PM ET
The Vegas Golden Knights wrap up their three game road trip on Saturday with a game against the Edmonton Oilers, who themselves kick off a three game homestand. The Golden Knights quite simply need to keep winning, and get other results go their way if they want a chance at a Wild Card spot, they are third in the Wild Card race, behind the Stars. The Oilers are yet to be officially confirmed for the playoffs, but they are sitting in second place in the Pacific Division at the moment.
Marko Nadin
The Edmonton Oilers are fifth in the Western Conference with a 43-26-6 record. They have won 3 of the last 5 games and are coming off a 4-0 win over the Nashville Predators. The Oilers are 7th in the league scoring 3.4 goals per game and third with a 26% conversion of power play situations. Edmonton has won 10 of the last 11 games as home favorite, 9 of the last 10 home games overall, 5 of the last 6 games following a win and 21 of the last 29 games following a game in which they allowed 2 or less goals.
The Vegas Golden Knights are ninth in the Western Conference with a 41-29-5 record. Vegas is ranked 12th in the league scoring 3.2 goals per game and 16th allowing 2.9 goals per game. Vegas has won 6 of the last 10 games against Edmonton, They have also won the last 5 games played after one game rest, 4 of the last 5 games against a team with a winning record and 7 of the last 9 games against Western Conference opponents.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Over 7 (+116)
Tony Battalio
The Vegas Golden Knights collapsed in the middle of the season but have fought their way back to being one point shy of being back into the Stanley Cup playoff picture. As they come into this game sitting in fourth place in the Pacific Division right behind the Los Angeles Kings coming down the final stretch of the season. The Golden Knights come into this game with a record of 41-29-5 through their first 75 games of the season. They are currently on a one game winning streak after beating the Calgary Flames by a score of 6-1 in their last game.
The Edmonton Oilers season went in a completely opposite direction compared to the Vegas Golden Knights as they started out the year rough. Now they find themselves in a great position to bring home Canada’s first Stanley Cup in several decades. As they come into this game with a record of 43-26-6 through their first 75 games of the season. They are in second place in the Pacific Division at the moment as well but still have work to do to lock up their Stanley Cup playoff spot just like the rest of the teams in the Western Conference. As for the result of this one, I have the Oilers picking up the win over the Golden Knights.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-120)
Washington Capitals @ Montreal Canadiens – 7.00PM ET
The road trip continues on for the Washington Capitals and on Saturday they will hit the ice against the Montreal Canadiens. The Capitals currently hold onto the second Wild Card spot, but they have a sizable distance between them and the third placed Islanders, so their spot should be safe. The Canadiens will not be making an appearance in the playoffs this season, they are also playing on back-to-back nights, and last time out they were shutout by the Islanders, 0-3.
Marko Nadin
The Montreal Canadiens are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 20-44-11 record. They have lost the last 4 games and are coming off a 0-3 loss to the New York Islanders. The Canadiens are ranked second-worst in the league scoring 2.5 goals per game and are the worst team in the league when it comes to goals allowed per game with 3.8. Montreal has lost 22 of the last 30 home games, 20 of the last 27 games against teams with a winning record and 15 of the last 22 games played without a day off.
The Washington Capitals are eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 41-23-10 and have a 13 point advantage over the next team in the standings. The Capitals are coming off a 3-7 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs which put an end to a four-game winning streak. The Capitals have won 6 of the last 10 games against Montreal. They are ranked 8th in the league scoring 3.3 goals per game and 14th allowing 2.9 goals per game. Washington has won 10 of the last 12 games against Eastern Conference opponents, 5 of the last 6 road games and 5 of the last 5 Saturday games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals (-275)
Tony Battalio
These two teams are coming into this game having entirely different seasons. As the Washington Capitals are headed for the Stanley Cup playoffs. While the Montreal Canadiens are sitting towards the bottom of the National Hockey League standings. The Washington Capitals come into this matchup with a record of 41-23-10 through their first 74 games of the season. Led by Alexander Ovechkin, the Capitals are a serious dark horse to bring home the Stanley Cup trophy as long as the soon to be greatest scorer in National Hockey League history is on the ice.
The Montreal Canadiens are coming into this game with a record of 20-44-11 through their first 75 games of the season. They are sitting in eighth place in the Atlantic Division standings and that is where they finish the regular season as well. For a team that went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, this sure has been a free fall down the standings this season. They will look to come back next year and be more competitive. As for the result of this one, I have the Washington Capitals getting the victory.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals (-275)
San Jose Sharks @ Dallas Stars – 8.00PM ET
The San Jose Sharks are in game four of their five game road trip on Saturday when they travel to Dallas to take on the Stars. The Sharks will not be playing in the postseason this year, and they come into this game on an eight game losing streak. The Stars still have a great chance to make the playoffs, but they need to keep winning, they currently occupy the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, with the Golden Knights close behind.
Marko Nadin
The Dallas Stars are seventh in the Western Conference with a 42-27-5 record and have a two-point advantage over the Vegas Golden Knights who are in ninth place. The Stars have lost 3 of the last 5 games and are coming off a 2-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. They are ranked 20th in the league scoring 2.9 goals per game and 15th allowing also 2.9 goals per game. The Stars have won 5 of the last 6 games after scoring 2 or less goals in the previous game and 16 of the last 22 games as home favorites.
The San Jose Sharks are 13th in the Western Conference with a 29-33-11 record. They have lost the last 8 games and are coming off a 4-5 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Sharks are the third-worst offensive team in the league scoring 2.6 goals per game and are ranked third defending 85.7% of the power play situations. San Jose has lost 19 of the last 26 games against Western Conference opponents and 18 of the last 23 road games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Dallas Stars (-215)
Tony Battalio
The San Jose Sharks were having an okay season until the wheels fell off sometime around the All-Star break. Now they come into this game well below the .500 mark with a record of 29-33-11 through their first 73 games of the season. They are in seventh place in the Pacific Division ahead of only the Seattle Kraken. They have lost their last eight games in a row by a combined margin of 13 goals, so while they have kept it close they just can’t seem to pick up a victory. They look to break their losing streak in this one against the Dallas Stars.
The previously mentioned Dallas Stars come into this game on the inside looking out at the Stanley Cup playoff picture. As they come into this game with a record of 42-27-5 through their first 74 games of the season. They are currently in fifth place in the Central Division and hold a slim two point lead in the Western Conference Wild Card race as they will be looking to finish it off soon. As for the result of this game, I have them getting the victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Dallas Stars (-215)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
