There is less than a month of regular season games to play in this already epic year of NHL! With a whopping 10 games on the agenda today, we have hand picked the 5 which we feel are the most exciting, or the most likely to line your pockets. Have a read below for all our NHL picks.
Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins – 7.00 PM EDT
The Sabres and the Bruins pick their series back up after a 2 game break, after playing the last 3 games in Buffalo it is the Bruins’ turn to host.
After the Sabres picked up their 6-4 victory over the Bruins last Friday they hit the road to New York for a 2 game set with the Rangers which did not go down too well.
Losing quite convincingly in both games the Sabres conceded 9 goals while putting 4 past the Rangers for their 6th defeat from the last 10 games.
With any chance of making the playoffs long gone, the Sabres will now be focused on trying to end their season on a positive note, however, against the Bruins who have beaten them in 5 of 6 games this season, the positives are unlikely to start today.
Our practice day in Boston is complete, and @duffersabres has the rundown. #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/qxqwZvw3U6
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 28, 2021
The Bruins got back to winning ways following their back to back defeats, their 3-1 victory over the Penguins was revenge for the 1-0 defeat 2 days earlier.
New signing, Taylor Hall, once agains impressed for the Bruins, netting a goal in the 3-1 win. Tuuka Rask was also dialled in, saving 25 of the 26 shots that came his way, and even recorded a rare goalie assist for the Bruins first goal.
With the Rangers breathing down their necks on the table it was a well needed win for the Bruins, with 2 games to play against the Sabres they will be looking to extend that lead.
NHL Pick – Boston Bruins (-405)
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Detroit Red Wings @ Carolina Hurricanes – 7.00 PM EDT
The Red Wings come into this one off the back of a shootout defeat to the Blue Jackets in Ohio, the 5th defeat from the last 6 games played for the struggling side.
With any hope of a playoffs appearance now completely gone, the Red Wings are playing for pride, but a nil all regulation time draw against the Blue Jackets is far from inspiring.
It didn’t come from a lack of trying on their part though, the Red Wings took a whopping 41 saves for the game, with their failure to find the back of the net a common theme of their season.
They now travel to Carolina to face the division leaders, the Hurricanes, who quite surprisingly, the Red Wings have had the better of this season, leading the head to head record 4-3.
The Canes have not looked their strongest lately, with just 5 wins from their last 10 games through an admittedly very tough run of fixtures.
They most recently wrapped up a 2 game set against the Stars in Dallas, and after losing the first game 4-3 in overtime, the Canes came out swinging in the second with an emphatic 5-1 win over the in form Stars.
Jordan Staal and Sebastian Aho both picked up a point in the first game with the Stars, and the two were on the same wavelength again in the second, notching 3 points each to guide the Canes to victory.
Despite some shaky results lately, the Canes still look good value to finish the season as division champions, especially with an ideal set of fixtures ahead which sees them play 5 of their remaining 7 games against bottom 3 sides.
NHL Pick – Carolina Hurricanes (-450)
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Philadelphia Flyers @ New Jersey Devils – 7.00 PM EDT
The Flyers and Devils have reached the mid way point of their big 4 game set, and as things stand the points are split down the middle with a win each.
Philly claimed the first game in a tense shootout which came down to Kevin Hayes as the 6th shooter, handing the Devils their 5th shootout defeat from 5 this season.
The Devils came out strong in the second game though, capitalizing on their powerplay opportunities which is something they didn’t do in the first game, those 2 goals ended up making the difference as the Devils won 6-4.
“When you win after a streak like that it feels amazing. We want more of that feeling. It’s a good sign.”
Janne speaks after practice today. #NJDevils | @UnibetUS pic.twitter.com/K4cAhop6ez
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 28, 2021
As we have seen so far, both sides are capable of lapsing defensively and conceding goals in quick decision, but neither is having trouble scoring.
While both sides are running pretty terribly lately, the win was badly needed for the Devils who had lost their 10 games straight, they now attempt to pick up successive wins for the first time in a month.
The two teams match up pretty evenly at the minute, with a game played in both cities already it is clear that the fans are playing a big role, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Devils get across the line again today, and lose upon the return to Philly.
NHL Pick – New Jersey Devils (+120)
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Vancouver Canucks @ Toronto Maple Leafs – 7.30 PM EDT
The Canucks picked up another loss to the Senators yesterday and now have to back it up with a game against the first place Toronto Maple Leafs today.
It was the final match of a 4 game series which saw the Canucks and Senators play 2 home games each, the Senators somewhat surprisingly winning convincingly in all but 1 game.
The Vancouver side were hot off the back of a clean sweep over the Maple Leafs on home soil heading into the series, but after their recent performances we don’t expect to see them have the same luck.
Since losing a season high, 5 straight games, the Maple Leafs have barely slipped, picking up 3 straight wins on the road, 2 against the Jets and a most recent 4-1 win over the Canadiens yesterday.
Auston Matthews was back on the scoresheet with a goal, alongside Jake Muzzin and William Nylander. Mitchell Marner also had a hand in a goal, bringing his point streak to 4 straight games.
Both sides head into this one with a 1 day turnaround from their last game, the Maple Leafs have had their fair share of experience in these situations, winning 4 of 7 games played with a 1 day turnaround.
It is a situation which the Canucks have historically struggled with, they have played 6 games with the 1 day turnaround and have lost in all but 1.
NHL Pick – Toronto Maple Leafs (-320)
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Florida Panthers @ Chicago Blackhawks – 8.00 PM EDT
The Panthers and Blackhawks kick off a 2 game set today, the teams have not met since March when the Blackhawks stunned the Panthers over 2 games in Chicago.
After a strong 7-4 victory over the Predators on Tuesday the Panthers are coming into this one hot. The win came in reply to their 4-1 defeat to the Nashville side the day before and was crucial to maintaining their second place on the Central table.
Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksandar Barkov put the team on their backs, both picking up 2 goals a piece, Huberdeau was immense though, also adding an impressive 3 assists to his tally for a 5 point haul.
How ya feeling this morning? 😸 pic.twitter.com/J31JJCRNpe
— x – Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 28, 2021
The Blackhawks won’t be too confident as they welcome the Panthers to the United Center, with 2 straight losses under their belt they have looked very shaky.
Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Lightning, despite scoring in each term the Blackhawks were broken down too easily by their opponents, conceding 3 goals in the first 2 terms.
It was their 7th loss from 8 games to the Lightning, and they now face the prospect of 2 games against the other team in Florida who currently lead the head to head 4-2. With a playoff position slipping away the Blackhawks need another 2 game sweep here.
NHL Pick – Florida Panthers (-172)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
