We are loving the action throughout this impressive NHL season so far. As we move towards the mid way point in the season, each division’s ladder is starting to take shape. 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, and 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 three games on today’s schedule.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 7.00PM ET
The first game on Tuesday night will see the Philadelphia Flyers take on the Tampa Bay Lighting. The Flyers start a short two game road trip, and they will be looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses, which includes losses to the Lightning (3-4 in a shootout) and Bruins (2-5). The Lightning have played a lot of hockey so far this month, with five of their nine games so far going to either overtime or a shootout, and they have won four of their last five games.
Denis Kirilov
The Philadelphia Flyers and the Tampa Bay Lightning faced each other on Thursday with Tampa getting the final win after penalties. The match was quite even and I don’t think it will be any different this time as well. The Lightning managed to bounce back as they recorded 8 wins in their past 11 games. The current champions in the NHL will try to keep this momentum so that they can close the gap to Florida, Carolina, and Washington who are on top of the table. Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Erik Cernak are still recovering from injuries and when they return, the team will have a lot higher chances in defending the title.
On the other hand, the Flyers are a team that can surprise anyone in the NHL and nobody should underestimate them. They have players like Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Derick Brassard who are ready to punish each single mistake their opponents make throughout the game. They can also rely on a fantastic defensive line that includes the likes of Ryan Ellis, Ivan Provorov, and Travis Sanheim. The Flyers will surely look to improve this campaign as they didn’t succeed in making the Playoffs last year. The team has the potential to fight alongside the very best teams in the League and it will be fascinating to follow their progress throughout the season. I think I can trust them in this game as I expect to see a high-level performance from the Flyers on both ends.
Denis’ NHL Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (+146)
Tony Battalio
This game will be a rematch of a thriller that happened less than 7 days ago, last Thursday night the Tampa Bay Lightning pulled a thrilling win in a shootout to beat the Philadelphia Flyers. This time the game will take place in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s home arena. Philadelphia comes into this game playing decent hockey on the year and sporting a record of 8-5-3 as they are dead even with the .500 mark. They have been in a bit of a slump recently as they have lost three of their last four games so they will be looking to turn that around quickly with a win in Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Putting in the work in the Bay. ⛵️#PHIvsTBL | #BringItToBroad pic.twitter.com/yfOpp51ZP4
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 22, 2021
The two time defending Stanley Cup Champions still have not seemed to find that same rhythm yet this season. The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently 10-4-3 on the year through their first 17 games and have been a mixed bag thus far. However they do have victories in four of their last five games, so they are starting to heat up as we are approaching the quarter mark of the 2021 season. As for the results of this matchup, I look for the Tampa Bay Lightning to come out on top in round 2 of Flyers vs Lightning. However, I would not be shocked if it took another shootout to get the job done as Philadelphia is certainly no slouch, so the moneyline is the safer bet in this one.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-176)
Michael Lantz
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers face off in a rematch of last Thursday’s nail biting matchup that ended with the Lightning winning 4-3 in a shootout. After that game, the Lightning fell to the New Jersey Devils 3-5, but pulled off a thrilling win against the Minnesota Wild at home, winning 5-4 in overtime. Now, they’ll look to double up on the Flyers, as they’ll have another go on Tuesday night at Amalie Arena.
The Flyers have been a tough one to put a finger on: they’ve had some wins against big opponents, but currently sit right outside the Metropolitan Division’s top four slots with 19 points. They’ll look to avenge that overtime loss last week with an away win in an always hostile Tampa Bay environment. The potential for this Flyers team is there: they’re among the league’s best teams in save percentage and goals against per game. If their offense is a little more consistent, they could be a force in the Eastern Conference. I like them to make the adjustments from last week’s loss and come away with an upset win on Tuesday.
Michael’s NHL Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (+146)
Edmonton Oilers @ Dallas Stars – 8.30PM ET
The middle game on Tuesday night’s slate will see the Edmonton Oilers up against the Dallas Stars. The Oilers are having a great November so far, winning seven of their 10 games, which brings their season record to 13-4-0. The Stars have been a little inconsistent so far this month, as well as the entire season, in November they have won four of their eight games, and their season record is currently standing at 7-7-2.
Denis Kirilov
The Edmonton Oilers is one of the most dominating teams in the NHL so far this season. This is mainly due to their amazing forwards, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. They are 2nd in the Western Conference, just a point behind the Calgary Flames with two games less than their rivals. What makes their achievement even more remarkable is the fact that the Oilers did so great even without 7-8 players from their squad who are recovering from injuries. The Dallas Stars started off the season in an awful fashion, not being able to get a win in regular time in their first 13 games. Later on, they found their way back as they defeated good teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, the Detroit Red Wings, and the St. Louis Blues.
I think the current situation within Edmonton might take its toll on them soon. It’s not easy to play without some of their key defenders in the likes of Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom, and Slater Koekkoek. The Stars, on the other hand, are looking impressive in their most recent matches, although they lost to the Minnesota Wild by 5 goals on the road. However, they are on a 3-game winning streak at home and I think this run can go on even after the upcoming tough challenge. I will go with the Stars as winners of the match.
Denis’ NHL Pick: Dallas Stars (-118)
Tony Battalio
The Edmonton Oilers have continued their hot start to the 2021 NHL season throughout the month of November, having won seven of their 10 games they have played this month. Led by likely 2021 NHL MVP Connor McDavid, the Oilers have been one of the clear favorites to make a run at the Stanley Cup. Edmonton is currently 13-4-0 on the year and come into this game having won three of their last four contests as well. They will look to continue their hot start to the season with a win over the Dallas Stars on the road in this one.
The previously mentioned Dallas Stars have been a bit of a mixed bag thus far this season. They currently hold a record of 7-7-2 which puts them just slightly below the .500 mark through the season’s first 16 games. It will certainly not get any easier for Dallas and they now have to host one of the NHLs best teams. As for the results of this one, I believe the records reflect in the result as I look for the Edmonton Oilers to pull out a big road victory in this game led by Connor McDavid.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-102)
Michael Lantz
Speaking of a team that’s hard to put a finger on, the Dallas Stars sit at 7-7-2, but have finally seemed to find a spark in offense. Aside from a 2-7 loss to the Minnesota Wild last Thursday, the Stars scored 14 goals in their other three games over the past week and a half. For a team that has been in the bottom ten for goals per game, this is just the boost they may need to get back into contention. They’ll have a huge chance to prove that on Tuesday night as they host the NHL’s best power play team: the Edmonton Oilers.
Edmonton is coming off consecutive wins after a week and a half stretch where they went 3-3. Despite Edmonton’s mesmerizing offense, the team does sit in the bottom half of defense: something they’ll have to address if they truly plan on getting Conor McDavid his first Stanley Cup. I could see this one going down to the wire, but I just don’t have full confidence in the Stars yet. I’ll go with Edmonton.
Michael’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-102)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Calgary Flames – 9.00PM ET
We wrap Tuesday night up with a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Calgary Flames. The Blackhawks have had a surprisingly good November, winning six of their nine games so far, which is helping to bring their season record up, and it currently stands at 6-10-2. The Flames have been running a little hot and cold in November, but they are currently on a three game winning streak, with wins over the Sabres, Islanders and Bruins.
Denis Kirilov
The Chicago Blackhawks and the Calgary Flames will face each other in the last game on Tuesday in the NHL. The Flames are, without a doubt, one of the surprises this season as they are literally dominating over the entire NHL at the moment. They defeated the New York Rangers twice (5-1 and 6-0). The Flames have six more wins without conceding a goal and their victims include the Detroit Red Wings (3-0), the Pittsburgh Penguins (4-0), the Philadelphia Flyers (4-0), the Ottawa Senators (4-0), the Buffalo Sabres (5-0), and the Boston Bruins (4-0). This is simply an out-of-this-world performance.
The Chicago Blackhawks managed to bounce off the last places in the West and gathered 5 wins in their last 6 games. However, they haven’t defeated any team that has a positive win ratio and when they had to face such a team, the Blackhawks lost to the Edmonton Oilers by 3 goals. Although there seems to be an improvement in their game, I don’t think they are able to contest the victory in Calgary. The Flames are really strong at the moment and they have all the chances to keep their 1st place after Tuesday. I will trust them to win in regulation.
Denis’ NHL Pick: Calgary Flames – Moneyline 3-Way (-135)
Tony Battalio
The Chicago Blackhawks had a very rough start to the season although it is fair to say they have picked it up in recent weeks and have started to string together some victories. Their success in the month of November has them sitting at 6-10-2 on the year. While that is still not overly impressive, it is definitely an improvement from the month of October where the Blackhawks went winless, as they have compiled a record of 6-3-0 so far this month. If they keep this level play throughout the rest of the month and into December they can insert themselves back into the playoff conversation before the season reaches the final stretch.
🍞 with some wizardry on these goals 👀 pic.twitter.com/m1yZG3kXXf
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) November 23, 2021
Next to the Edmonton Oilers the Calgary Flames have been the second hottest Canadian team so far this season. After a pretty decent start they have been a mixed bag in November, however they are currently on a three-game winning streak heading into this match up with Chicago. They currently possess a record of 11-3-5 through their first 19 games of the season. If they are able to maintain this level of play they will find themselves with the opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup title come playoff time. As for the result of this game, despite the Blackhawks recent success I look for the Flames to come out on top at home in this one.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-220)
Michael Lantz
After Chicago had an atrocious start to the season—where they struggled to win a game—the Blackhawks have slowly clawed their way to the outskirts of the Western Conference playoff race. Okay, even outskirts is maybe generous, but still, with talent of all ages—from young forward Alex DeBrincat to future hall-of-famer Patrick Kane—you can’t count the Blackhawks out yet.
Their next opportunity to improve in the standings comes against the Calgary Flames. After a six-game win streak to end the month of October, the Flames cooled off a bit, going 0-3-3 to start the month of November. But, since November 14th, the team seems to be ending another month on a strong note as they’ve won four of five, with three of those wins being shutouts. They’ve been thrilled with the play on both sides of the puck; particularly goaltending as Jacob Markstrom is emerging as a Vezina Trophy favorite. They’ve also got seven points in the last four games from Johnny Gaudreau, as he leads a stacked offense. Chicago may be coming in with some confidence, but I have to go with the league’s “hottest” team in the Calgary Flames.
Michael’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-220)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
