We are loving the action throughout this impressive NHL season so far. As we move past the mid way point in the season, each division’s ladder has already become well formed. Despite this, every single win or loss can have a significant impact on where each team will finish at the end of the season, 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.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Vancouver Canucks – 7.00PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the middle of their three game road trip on Saturday night when they take on the Vancouver Canucks. The Maple Leafs had their six game winning streak snapped last time out, thanks to the Flames, 2-5. The Canucks have traded wins and losses for the last six games, and this takes their season record to 21-21-6.
Marko Nadin
The Vancouver Canucks are 12th in the Western Conference with a 21-21-6 record. They have lost 3 of the last 5 games and are coming off a 3-6 home loss to the New York Islanders. The Canucks are near the bottom of the league when it comes to scoring as they rank 28th with 2.5 scored goals per game. They are much better defensively as they rank 8th with 2.71 allowed goals per game. Vancouver is at the very bottom with 71% allowed PP%. They have lost the last 4 home games as underdogs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 6th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-11-3 record. They have lost 3 of the last 6 games but are coming off back-to-back victories over Chicago and Edmonton. Toronto ranks 4th in the league with 3.57 goals per game and 7th with 2.71 allowed goals per game. The Maple Leafs are the best team in the league with 29.6 PP%. They have won the last 5 games playing after a one day rest. They have played over the total point margin in the last 4 games against a team with a losing record.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs (-196)
New year, new highlights. Buds ended January on a high note. 🔥@CastrolCanada | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/zTlIjDGsTK
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 12, 2022
Jeffery Thomas
Game 2 of a three game road trip for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they stay north of the border to face fellow Canadian team, the Vancouver Canucks. It was a 2-5 loss on Thursday to Calgary in the Leafs last game. After no goals were scored in the first period, there was an
offensive eruption in the second, with 5 goals being scored. With 4 of them by the Flames though, as they raved out to a 1-4 lead and never looked back. Toronto’s top ranked power play couldn’t get going, as it went 0-3 on the night and that proved to be the difference. There was one positive, which was Auston Matthews extending his points streak out to six games, but now they’ll try and get back in the win column Saturday versus the Nucks.
Vancouver is also coming in off a loss, dropping their last game 3-6 to the Islanders at home. They were also victims of an explosive scoring period from their opponent, who scored 5 goals in the opening period. It was just a sloppy start and the game was over quickly, as they gave up 3 goals in a 31-second span. Now with a record of 21-21-6, they’ll look to put that performance behind them and focus on this final game of a quick 3-game home stand. I like this spot for the Maple Leafs. They haven’t lost back to back games since the beginning of December and are facing a somewhat short-handed Canucks team. The special teams could play a major part as the Leafs rank first in power play % while Vancouver ranks dead last in penalty kill %. If they can’t stay out of the box it’s going to be a long night.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs (-196(
Winnipeg Jets @ Nashville Predators – 7.00PM ET
Two Central Division rivals will play each other on Saturday night in the NHL when the Winnipeg Jets travel to Nashville and take on the Predators. The Winnipeg Jets are playing on back-to-back nights, and last time out they lost in overtime to the Stars, 3-4. The Predators have won four of their last six games, and this takes their season record to 28-15-4.
Marko Nadin
The Nashville Predators are second in the Western Conference with a 28-15-4 record and have 10 points less than the leading Colorado Avalanche. The Predators have won only 4 of their last 10 games. Nashville ranks 14th in the league with 3.11 scored goals per game and 7th with 2.7 allowed goals. The Predators have won the last 6 games against a Pacific Division opponent. A total of 12 of the last 15 games have gone over the total goal margin when Predators were favorites.
The Winnipeg Jets are 13th in the Western Conference with a 19-17-8 record. The Jets have lost 8 of the last 10 games. They are coming off a 3-4 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. Winnipeg ranks 11th in the league with 33.3 shots per game and 21st with 2.75 goals scored per game. Winnipeg ranks 26th in the league in allowed PP% with 75%. The Jets have played under the total goals margin in their last 4 road games and have lost 5 of the last 6 road games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Nashville Predators (-205)
Jeffery Thomas
The Predators are starting a quick 2-game home stand against the Jets on Saturday night as they try and get back in the win column. The Stars got the better of Nashville on Wednesday, beating their rivals 3-4. It was just the Preds’ second loss in six games, and the two days rest will be used to get their minds back focused and regroup for the stretch run. They still cling on to second place in the Central Division, but have the Minnesota Wild right on their tails, 1 point behind. Winnipeg is coming in on the back to back and with the exact same result as Nashville in their last game. On Friday night, they lost to the Dallas Stars 3-4 in overtime. They led the game 1-0, but once the Stars tied it and eventually took the lead, Winnipeg never could get it back.
It was a very even matchup, with the shots on goal practically even and no power play goals scored for either side. It was Winnipeg’s 8th overtime loss which is tied for second in the NHL. The Predators are waiting at home, rested and ready to take on this Jets team Saturday night. Following the loss in Dallas, Winnipeg is now 1-6 in their last seven road games and are 1-5 in their last six games playing on no rest. That is not a good recipe for what they’ll have to deal with on Saturday against a Preds team that does their best work on home ice. I like Nashville to get this done relatively easy as they know this is a great opportunity for an important 2 points.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Nashville Predators (-205)
Carolina Hurricanes @ Minnesota Wild – 8.00PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes wrap up their four game road trip on Saturday night when they take on the Minnesota Wild. The Hurricanes managed to put an end to their two game losing streak last time out, with a shutout win over the Bruins, 6-0. The Wild had their six game winning streak broken last time out, as they went down to the Jets, 0-2.
Marko Nadin
The Minnesota Wild are third in the Western Conference with a 28-11-3 record. They were on a six-game winning record before losing 0-2 to Winnipeg in their last game. This was the first time this season the Wild failed to score in a game. Minnesota is the third best scoring team in the league with 3.74 goals per game and rank 14th with 2.83 allowed goals. The Wild have won the last five games against Eastern Conference rivals. They have won 6 of the last 7 games when their rival is coming off a game scoring at least 5 goals.
The Carolina Hurricanes are third in the Eastern Conference with a 32-10-3 record. They have won 5 of the last 7 games and are coming off a 6-0 win over the Boston Bruins on the road. The Hurricanes are ranked 5th with 3.51 scored goals per game and are the best defensive team allowing only 2.36 goals per game. They allow 28.5 shots per game which ranks them second in the league and are the best when it comes to defensive PP% with 89.3%. The Hurricanes have played over the total goals margin in 6 of their last 7 road games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Under 6.5 (-110)
Dance party in the locker room? Oh yeah, you betcha 🕺
Watch Beyond Our Ice » https://t.co/Y8j7c1lq2Q pic.twitter.com/ut45mNuhWd
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 12, 2022
Jeffery Thomas
This is a matchup of two of the best teams in the league on Saturday night as the Wild host the Canes. The home team had 3 days to get that sour taste out of their mouth from the disappointing 0-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. It was their first time being shut out all season, and it appeared there was major rust from going on the All-Star break. It also probably didn’t help that there were minimal fans and low-energy in the building due to Canada’s COVID restrictions. Now back at home, there will be plenty of energy and the Minnesota fans will be willing their 3rd place team on to victory against the mighty Canes, who are in first place in the Metro. It was a nifty performance they put together in their last game out too, pummelling the Bruins in Boston 6-0 to complete the season sweep. They dominated the Bruins in their 3 games they played, beating them by a combined score of 16-1!
Frederick Anderson made 34 saves and earned first star of the game. It was a much needed confidence boost, as the Canes had lost 2 straight prior to that game, including one to Ottawa, a team well below .500. Now they’re looking to keep things rolling Saturday night, against a team they’ve yet to face on the season. When I line these teams up side by side it is very close but I just see slight advantages on the Carolina side. I like the goaltending advantage with Andersen and just their overall balance as a team. The Wild are a great team in their own right and will have the home ice, but I just love getting what I see as the better team at a great price, so give me the Canes.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (-115)
Chicago Blackhawks @ St. Louis Blues – 8.00PM ET
Another Central Division rivalry game for your Saturday night viewing, and this one will see the Chicago Blackhawks face off against the St. Louis Blues. The Blackhawks put an end to their three game losing streak last time out with a win over the Oilers, 4-1. The Blues have lost their last two games in a row, which includes losses to the Jets and Devils.
Marko Nadin
The St. Louis Blues are 5th in the Western Conference with a 26-14-5 record. The Blues are coming off two losses against teams with losing records, 1-4 to Winnipeg and 4-7 to New Jersey. They are 6th in the league with 3.44 goals per game and rank 13th with 2.8 goals allowed. St. Louis is among the top 4 teams in the league in PP% with 27.6% on the offensive end and 84.6% on defense. The Blues have won 4 of the last 5 games following a loss of at least 3 goals. The Blues have won 5 of the last 6 games against Chicago.
The Chicago Blackhawks are 14th in the Western Conference with a 17-23-7 record. They have lost 7 of their last 10 games but are coming off a 4-1 win against the Oilers in Edmonton. Chicago ranks 30th in the league with 2.40 goals per game with only Arizona and Montreal scoring less. Chicago has lost 9 of their last 11 road games. They have played under the total goals margin in 4 of the last 5 games against Eastern Conference teams.
Marko’s NHL Pick: St. Louis Blues (-205)
Jeffery Thomas
The Blues come in off consecutive embarrassing losses to the Jets and Devils and will be looking to bounce back against Chicago Saturday night. They’ve been able to get positive results on the season on the backs of a strong offense, but recently their less than stellar defense has been catching up with them. They’ve given up 4 or more goals in three of the last four. The Blackhawks got an impressive 4-1 win in Edmonton on Wednesday, which led to the Oilers firing their head coach. Prior to that game, they were 1-5-2 in their last 8 and will hope to keep this positive momentum rolling to end the season.
These two teams have split the first two games they’ve faced each other this year. First being a 1-0 win for St. Louis back in October and then a 3-2 overtime win for Chicago in November. The Blues at home are a machine and prior to losing the last two at home they were 16-1-1. I think they continue their run of good form on home ice against what is still a bad Blackhawks team. Give me the Blues.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: St. Louis Blues (-205)
New York Islanders @ Calgary Flames – 10.00PM ET
The final game on Saturday night in the NHL will see the New York Islanders take on the Calgary Flames. The Islanders are playing two nights in a row, after going toe-to-toe with the Oilers last night, in a game they lost 1-3. The Flames are building nicely, as they are currently on a five game winning streak, which takes their season record to 25-13-6.
Marko Nadin
The Calgary Flames are 6th in the Western Conference with a 25-13-6 record. They have won the last 5 games scoring at least 4 goals in the last 4 of them. The Flames are ranked second in the league with 36 shots per game and 8th with 3.3 goals scored per game. Defensively, the Flames are among the best 7 teams with 2.41 allowed goals per game, 29.6 allowed shots per game and 84.9 PP%. The Flames have won the last 6 games going as favorites and the last 5 home games. The Flames have won the last three games against the Islanders.
The New York Islanders are 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-18-6 record. They have lost 4 of the last 6 games, most recently 1-3 against Edmonton. The Islanders are among the 5 worst teams in the league with 2.45 scored goals per game and 29 shots per game. Defensively, they are 5th with 2.63 allowed goals and 10th with 82.5 PP%. The Islanders have lost 7 of the last 8 games on the road as underdogs. They have lost 6 of their last 7 games coming in without a day off.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-215)
📹 Mayfield & Beauvillier Postgame Availability 📹 pic.twitter.com/OLbQOwDRmS
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 12, 2022
Jeffery Thomas
The Flames name is very fitting for how this Calgary team has been playing lately. They are winners of 5 straight with the last 2 wins being over two very good teams in Vegas and Toronto. They’ve outscored their opponents 20-7 during this winning streak and catapulted themselves up to 2nd in the Pacific with 56 points. The Islanders took a hard loss on the road in Edmonton, 1-3, despite outshooting the Oilers in the game. Their lone goal came on a power play in the second period to cut the lead to 1-2 but other than that they didn’t have any going for them.
They are now 17-18-6 good for 6th in the Metro in what’s been a forgettable season for New York. The Calgary Flames will be rested and ready for this Islanders team who will be on a back to back. That hasn’t been a profitable position for the Isles, as they’ve gone 1-6 in their last 7 on no rest. I expect a physical battle between these two and maybe an under, but I definitely don’t see a way the Islanders can steal this one with how good Calgary is playing, especially given how flat the Isles looked on Friday.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-215)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
