The weekend is here! And how better to spend Saturday than sprawled out on the couch watching some hockey? We’ve chosen the 5 games which believe have the best chance to make big money, have a read through below to see our NHL picks.
Detroit Red Wings @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 1.00 PM EDT
The Lightning are hosting the Red Wings at Amalie Arena on Saturday afternoon. The form of the Red Wings hasn’t been that crash hot as of late, they are coming off a loss to the Panthers on Thursday, 3-2, while on the road. The same can be said for the Lightning, but they got a needed win of the Blue Jackets, 3-2. When looking at the season series, no surprises here that the Tampa Bay Lightning are leading, 3-1.
Detroit has just not been able to fire up this season and they are currently sitting on a 12-21-5 record. While Tampa Bay is doing as well as people would expect, sitting on a solid 25-9-2 record.
Last night’s game in Florida = Erne’s 200th in the NHL.
Congrats, @Adamerne73 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/r5lmqSyaCu
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 2, 2021
The Red Wings are in the middle of a 4 game away stint, with this clash being number 3. Their loss last game was a bitter pill to swallow, as they actually played really well, and they ended up losing in overtime, which is never fun. Before meeting the Panthers for a double header, the Red Wings were actually starting to claw back some momentum, but then they lost any of that momentum they had when they lost 2 games in a row to the Panthers.
The recent record of the Lightning hasn’t been that good either, their win over the Blue Jackets was much needed, to snap a 3 game losing streak. Lightning’s key striker, Steven Stamkos, didn’t score a single point in their 3 losses in a row, but was able to find the back of the net in their last game win, so let’s hope he can keep that winning feeling going.
NHL Pick – Tampa Bay Lightning (-450)
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New York Rangers @ Buffalo Sabres – 7.00 PM EDT
If you look strictly at the season records, both teams haven’t been playing very well. The New York Rangers (17-15-4) have a better record than that of the Buffalo Sabres (7-23-6). But these are the only important stats here! The Sabres are on a roll, as they have managed to pick up points in their last 3 contests. The Rangers are also on a hot streak at the moment, winning 5 of their last 7 games.
New York are two wins in a row at the moment, including an overtime win against none other than the Buffalo Sabres two games back, 3-2. Can they notch up another win, or will the Buffalo Sabres be out for revenge? The most important stat here comes from goaltender Igor Shesterkin who is doing a stellar job against the Sabres. Notching up at 1.92 GAA as well as a .917 save percentage.
The Buffalo Sabres are enjoying playing at home, and while they lost last time out to the New York Rangers, they are loving that winning feeling and surely would be looking to keep it going. Their 6-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers ended the longest losing streak of the shootout era. So, you have a feeling they don’t want to experience that again and will be all guns blazing to leave on Saturday night with a win.
NHL Pick – Buffalo Sabres (+210)
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Columbus Blue Jackets @ Florida Panthers – 7.00 PM EDT
If anyone needs a win it has got to be the Columbus Blue Jackets! They are staring down the barrel of losing five out of their last six games and only averaging 2.5 goals per game. All the stats of late do not look good for the Blue Jackets and things are really getting desperate for them.
With a losing season record of 14-16-8, the Blue Jackets want to push to ensure they can finish the current season with a positive record. With only an average of 2.5 goals per game in their last six games, on top of allowing 3.1 goals per game for the season, the Blue Jackets are struggling offensively and defensively.
“It’s been pretty crazy, but I’m happy with my decision [to join] Florida. I don’t think I could be any more happy or excited to be here and joining the group.”
Welcome to South Florida, Matt!
📝 » https://t.co/DH1Tdvwl82 pic.twitter.com/9vIz9RtJ7A
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 2, 2021
It’s a different story for the Florida Panthers, who currently sit on a 24-9,4 record for the season so far. They are also currently on a four game winning streak. The Panthers are finding the net left, right and centre at the moment, with a nice average of 3.3 per game.
The Florida Panthers are going through a purple patch, while the Columbus Blue Jackets are going through their worst patch of the season. It is difficult to see how things will change from the norm in this game. Expect the pain to continue for the Blue Jackets and the Panthers to leave this game on a 5 game winning streak.
NHL Pick – Florida Panthers (-158)
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St Louis Blues @ Colorado Avalanche – 9.00 PM EDT
The Blues and Avalanche are back at it again on Saturday night after facing off just 24 hours earlier where the Avalanche won 3-2. In the game before this current 2 game mini series, the Blues couldn’t take home the win and they lost 3-2 in overtime.
The Colorado Avalanche have been flying as of late, especially when you look at their recent win 9-3 at home to Arizona. They are fighting hard for that all important top position in the West Division.
The Avalanche have a great record this season and will be looking to show the Blues’ who is boss on Saturday night when they play at home for the second time in two days. Colorado has won 10 of their last 12, just to show how dominant they have been as of late. They are great scorers, so it should be another interesting matchup on the ice on Saturday.
On the other hand, it seems like the Blues are in free fall and they just can’t catch a break. They are currently sitting forth in the West Division and are on a four game losing streak. Their playoff spot is in jeopardy as the Coyotes are now only one point behind. Will this spark the fire in the bellies of the Blues team? Or will they continue to crumble under the pressure?
NHL Pick – Colorado Avalanche (-225)
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San Jose Sharks @ Los Angeles Kings – 10.00 PM EDT
The Sharks and the Kings are on similar records for this season, so it could make for a pretty interesting match! It was a pretty slow start to the season for the San Jose Sharks (16-16-4) but are now on a little bit of a hot streak. The two teams face off on Friday night where the Sharks won yet again, 3-0 and they will be back at it again on Saturday night!
The Sharks won the first and the second game of this mini series. Can they go back-to-back-to-back with a clean sweep of the Kings on the home ice? The Sharks currently have 5 wins on their past 7 games and are looking strong going into the second half of the season.
HE SHUT IT DOWN 🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/bQGuuEcxZB
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 3, 2021
While the Sharks are doing well as of late, they are also letting in an average of 3.37 goals per game, which is high and therefore give the Kings a sniff of a chance to take out this game on Saturday night.
The goalies have been awesome for the Kings this season and they are allowing only 2.79 goals per game. Where they need to focus more energy on is their attack so that they can actually get some points on the board.
NHL Pick – San Jose Sharks (+102)
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The 2021 NHL is well underway now! If you want to catch up with all the latest information, make sure you visit our NHL hub page.
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
