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.
Colorado Avalanche @ Buffalo Sabres – 1.00PM ET
The road trip continues on for the Colorado Avalanche who hit the road and take on the Buffalo Sabres. The Avalanche have won three of their last four games, and this takes their season record to 35-9-4. The Sabres had their two game winning streak snapped last time out, as they lost to the Senators, 1-3.
Marko Nadin
The Buffalo Sabres are having another season to forget as they are 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 16-25-8 record. They are coming off a 1-3 loss against the Ottawa Senators after defeating Montreal the and New York Islanders in the previous two games, which was only the 4th time this season to win back-to-back games. The Sabres are the second-worst team in the league with 36.4 allowed shots per game. They have lost 8 of the last 10 Saturday games and 50 of the last 70 games after scoring no more than 2 goals in the previous game.
The Colorado Avalanche have the best record in the entire NHL at 35-9-4. They are coming off a 2-0 win over Vegas after losing 1-4 against Dallas at home. Colorado is second in the league with 4 goals per game and 4th with 35.2 shots per game. They have won the last 6 road games and 49 out of the last 54 against a team with a losing record. Colorado has played under the total goals margin in their last six games. Colorado has won 7 of the last 8 against Buffalo, the last time 4-1 on the road in January.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche
📍 Brrrrrrrrrfallo
🥶 #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/AmRaoaRSyv
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 18, 2022
Tony Battalio
The Colorado Avalanche come into this game as the best team in the National Hockey League right now. They are the clear favorites to take home the Stanley Cup and stop the reign of terror of the Tampa Bay Lightning and end their quest for a three peat. Colorado comes into this contest with a league best record of 35-9-4 as their 74 points is also the best in the league. They have started to pull away from the pack in the Central Division as they hold a double digit lead over the second place team, the Minnesota Wild. They will look to pick up a second straight win in this one as well.
The Buffalo Sabres had a surprisingly fast start to the 2021-22 season before being knocked back down to reality as the year progressed. Now they come into this game as one of the worst teams in the league much like they were last year. They seem to have a multi-year rebuild on their hands after trading Jack Eichel to Vegas, which signals that Buffalo is likely going to be starting from square one all over again. Buffalo comes into this game with a record of 16-25-8. As for the result of this one I have the Colorado Avalanche winning easily.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche
Edmonton Oilers @ Winnipeg Jets – 4.00PM ET
The Edmonton Oilers have just one game on the road before returning home again, and on Saturday afternoon they take on the Winnipeg Jets. The Oilers are on a four game winning streak, which includes wins over the Islanders, Sharks, Kings and Ducks. The Jets have won three of their last four games, and this takes their season record to 22-18-8.
Marko Nadin
The Winnipeg Jets have picked up their form recently winning 3 of the last 4 games and are coming off a 5-3 win over Seattle. The Jets are currently 11th in the Western Conference with a 22-18-8 record. The Jets have won 4 of the last 5 games at home as an underdog meaning that they have real chances against Edmonton. This makes even more sense knowing that Winnipeg has won 5 of the last 6 games against Edmonton. Winnipeg has won 5 of the last 7 games against opponents but has lost 5 of the last 6 games following a win.
The Edmonton Oilers are 7th in the Western Conference with a 27-18-3 record. They are on a great run winning the last 4 games and coming off a 7-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks which was only the second time this season to score 7 goals. The Oilers are the third-best team in the league when it comes to offensive PP% with 26.3%. The Oilers have won 6 of the last 7 games after a one day rest. They have won 20 of the last 28 games against Western Conference opponents.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Winnipeg Jets
It’ll be a quick trip two provinces over as the #Oilers head to Winnipeg for a matinee matchup vs. the Jets tomorrow while looking to build on a 4-0-0 record under Coach Woodcroft. @SkipTheDishes | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/6yTNZMA6Wz
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 19, 2022
Tony Battalio
The Edmonton Oilers have enough talent on their team that they should be much better than they are at the moment. However, as we know it doesn’t always work out like that. As of late though, the Edmonton Oilers have been playing as they were expected to all season long and have slowly made their way back into the Stanley Cup conversation. They come into this game with a record of 27-18-3 as they are six games above the .500 mark through their first 48 games of the season. They are currently in third place in the Pacific Division as well and have won their last four games in a row.
The Winnipeg Jets have had a rough year so far this season. As they come into this game with a record of 22-18-8 and sit in the bottom half of the Central Division standings with half of the season left to go. It may be fair to say they are already virtually eliminated from the 2021-22 Stanley Cup playoffs unless a miracle were to occur. The Jets have won their last two games in a row so they will come into this game at home with some momentum. However, as for the result of this game, I don’t see that winning streak going to three as I have the Edmonton Oilers getting the victory.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers
Boston Bruins @ Ottawa Senators – 7.00PM ET
The Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators, both from the Atlantic Division, will face off against each other on Saturday night. The Bruins have lost four of their last five games, and are currently on a two game losing streak, with losses to the Rangers and Islanders. The Senators have lost three of their last five, and this takes their season record to 18-25-4.
Marko Nadin
The Ottawa Senators are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 18-25-4 record. Ottawa has won 2 of the last 5 games and is coming off a 3-1 win over Buffalo. Ottawa is scoring 2.7 goals per game and allowing half a goal more per game. Ottawa has lost 15 of their last 22 games and 15 of the last 19 going in as home underdogs. Ottawa has played under the total goal margin in 8 of the last 9 games after one day rest, in 9 of the last 11 home games and in 16 of the last 21 games overall.
The Boston Bruins are 8th in the Eastern Conference with a 27-17-4 record. They have lost 4 of the last 5 games but still have 6 points advantage to Detroit who are chasing the last playoff spot. Boston has won the 8 of the last 10 games as road favorites, 7 of the last 8 games coming off a at least 3 goal loss and 37 of the last 51 games against a team with a losing record. The Bruins have played under the total point margin in 9 of the last 11 games coming off a at least 3 goal loss. Boston has won 7 of the last 8 and 13 of the last 16 games against Ottawa.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Under 5.5
Three Thoughts: Behind an impressive outing from Nick Holden and the penalty kill, the #Sens collected two points in Buffalo Thursday! #GoSensGo
📝 https://t.co/K1UH2ijYOV pic.twitter.com/vydmGIeAne
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) February 18, 2022
Tony Battalio
The Boston Bruins have been somewhat of a disappointment this season. As they have performed below the expectations that were set for them in the preseason. They may end up missing the 2021-22 Stanley Cup Playoffs entirely unless they manage to turn it around immediately, and snap their two game skid. Boston comes into this game with a record of 27-17-4, while they have a winning record, they are playing in one of the toughest divisions in the league and they will have to be better. Boston is currently on a two game losing streak as they look to close the nine point gap between them and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Ottawa Senators have been one of the worst teams in the league so far this season. They come into this game already preparing for the off-season and draft. They are currently sixth in the Atlantic Division as they are a full 27 points out of third place and a promised playoff spot. They are currently on a one game winning streak as they will look to extend it in this game at home. However, as for the result of this game I can’t see that happening as I have the Boston Bruins picking up the victory on the road in Canada.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Boston Bruins
St. Louis Blues @ Toronto Maple Leafs – 7.00PM ET
The St. Louis Blues are in the middle of their road trip when they travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs. The Blues have lost three of their last five games, and this takes their season record to 28-14-6. The Maple Leafs are currently on a two game winning streak, with wins over the Kraken and Penguins.
Marko Nadin
The Toronto Maple Leafs are fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 32-12-3 record. They have won 8 of the last 10 games and are coming off a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Toronto has won 18 of 23 home games this season. They are the best team in the league in converting power plays with 31.8%, 4th best in goals per game with 3.6 goals per game and 7th in shots on goal with 34.6 per game. Toronto has won 30 of their last 40 games. Toronto has won the last two games against the Blues scoring 11 goals in that span.
The St. Louis Blues are 4th in the Western Conference with a 28-14-6 record. They have lost 3 of the last 5 games including a 2-3 loss against the worst team in the league the Montreal Canadiens in the last game. The Blues are ranked 5th in goals per game with 3.5 goals and 8th in allowed goals with 2.8. St. Louis has won 6 of the last 8 games against teams with a winning record but has lost 7 of the last 9 games as underdogs.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs
“It was fun to watch”#LeafsForever | @LGCanada pic.twitter.com/2lfb0DXwd7
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 18, 2022
Tony Battalio
The St. Louis Blues are coming into this game with a record of 28-14-6 through their first 48 games of the season. They are currently in third place in the Central Division, 12 points off of the leaders and current title favorites, the Colorado Avalanche. St. Louis is very capable of winning the Stanley Cup this season in my opinion but they will need to catch a spark at the right time. They are currently on a one game losing streak that they will be looking to bounce back from in this game.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been one of the better teams in the National Hockey League so far this season. They are coming into this game with a record of 32-12-3 through their first 47 games of the season. They are currently in third place in the Atlantic Division as they are only four points out of the lead. The Maple Leafs have picked up two straight victories as well, as they will look to extend their winning streak to three with a win in this one over the Blues at home. As for the result of this game, that is exactly what I expect to happen as I have the Maple Leafs getting the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs
Seattle Kraken @ Calgary Flames – 10.00PM ET
Another inter-division rivalry will see the Seattle Kraken travel to Calgary and face off against the Flames. The Kraken have lost their last two games in a row, and this takes their overall season record to 16-30-4. The Flames are currently on a eight game winning streak, and last time out they beat the Ducks, 6-2.
Marko Nadin
The Calgary Flames are the hottest team in the league at the moment with 8 straight wins. They are currently third in the Western Conference with a 28-13-6 record. The Flames haven’t allowed more than 2 goals in their last 7 games and are the best defensive team in the league allowing only 2.4 goals per game. The Flames are also the sixth-best scoring team in the league with 3.4 goals per game. Calgary has won the last 7 games coming off a win and the last 9 as favorites. They won the first game against Seattle 6-4.
The Seattle Kraken are currently 15th in the Western Conference with a 16-30-4 record. They have lost 3 of the last 4 games, most recently 3-5 against Winnipeg. Seattle is among the six-worst teams in the league when it comes to goals scored, shots on goal and PP% per game. Seattle has lost 5 of the last 17 games as an underdog and 7 of the last 26 overall. Seattle has won only 6 of 27 games against Western Conference opponents. They have played over the total goals margin in their last 4 games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames
“You don’t want to be a team that gets complacent. You want to be a team that’s always pushing to be better.”
Blake Coleman on the team mindset in keeping the win streak going. pic.twitter.com/kigxvRJ9p7
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) February 17, 2022
Tony Battalio
The newest team in the National Hockey League is not having the debut season they would have hoped for. As the Seattle Kraken come into this game towards the bottom of the standings in the Pacific Division and Western Conference as well. Seattle is currently 16-30-4 as they are 18 games below the .500 mark through their first 50 games of the season. They are already virtually eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Seattle has lost their last two games in a row and they will be looking to avoid a third straight loss.
The Calgary Flames have been hot this season, no pun intended, as the Flames have raced into first place in the Pacific Division as the second half of the season has gotten underway. They currently hold a three point lead over the Vegas Golden Knights as they have won their last eight games in a row and do not look to be slowing down anytime soon. The Flames are currently 28-13-6 through their first 47 games of the year. As for the result of this game, I have them picking up their ninth straight victory over the Seattle Kraken.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
