Welcome to Thursday, hockey fans – the weekend is right around the corner, I can taste it! Hope everyone has had a nice week and a happy late Valentine's Day to everyone as well. Tonight, we are locked and loaded in the NHL world with 12 games on the docket and plenty of ways to win some cash! 

I have circled a handful of bets for the action tonight which include a team total goals prop, a game total and a player prop! In addition to all that the Dog of the Day returns again with some major plus money potential!

If you like the rationale below, then tail my NHL best bets today. You could even try BettorEdge, the social betting marketplace. Not only is this sports betting platform safe and secure, but it's even legal in 40+ states! Use promo code ALARM while registering to get $10+ in bonus credits after you verify. No deposit is required.

Now, let's dive into today's expert NHL best bets!

  • Season Record: 97-77-3
  • Bankroll: +12.7 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 10-11 (+2.55 Units)

Follow me on twitter @jwaggs10

**All bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

 

NHL Best Bets Today, February 15

Anaheim Ducks vs. Ottawa Senators Prediction

It's been quite some time since I backed this Senators team, but I've been keeping my eye on them and now is the time to strike! Since the calendar turned to 2024 this offense has been a scoring machine with 4 goals per game on home ice and generating expected goal metrics on par with some of the better teams in the NHL. 

This should continue to be the case moving forward too as they refuse to play defense of any kind and the matchup against the Ducks tonight should be a great one. Anaheim is one of the worst teams in the league this season and they have allowed 4 goals per game on the road in 2024 calendar year. 

Not sure who the goaltender will be for the Ducks, but it matters very little to me as John Gibson and Dostal have both been subpar. There's going to be some chalk to eat on most books for this wager but the line of 3.5 total goals for the Senators is one they should smash and one I am jumping all over. 

Pick: Ottawa Senators Team Total Over 3.5 Goals (-150 on BetMGM)

 

Detroit Red Wings vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction

It's a cross conference battle of two of the NHL's best offenses tonight and man oh man am I excited for this matchup! The Canucks have been one of the best stories of the season pacing the Pacific Division basically since day 1 and the Red Wings have become the Oilers of the past few seasons with their loaded forward group. 

Looking into the recent play not much has changed with that narrative as the Canucks have scored 4 goals per game dating back to Jan 1st and the Red Wings have scored up to 3.6 goals per game on the road during that same span. Now, the Canucks defense can be stingy of course and the goaltending has been good but not impossible to beat as Thatcher Demko has given up 9 goals over his last 3 home games. 

I think the Red Wings can score 2-3 goals at a minimum tonight and I expect the Canucks to take the rest. For good measure, Detroit has gone over the total in 14 of 23 road games this season and Vancouver has gone over at a record of 32-20-2 overall on the season. Expect a fast paced game and one that should go over the total. 

Pick: Red Wings & Canucks Over 6.5 Goals (-120 on DraftKings)

 

San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames Prediction

Let's dive into the player prop market for the last big time pick of this article, shall we? Going to take a big(ish) swing on a player that has his prop juiced up given the matchup for some plus money! That player is Nazem Kadri who has been out of the public eye these days as the Flames have struggled but tonight it's a prime matchup for him against a Sharks team that played just last night and will be on short rest. 

The Sharks also allow the most shots on goal of any team in the NHL this season at 35.5 shots and that opens up Kadri to really stuff the stat sheet tonight. His prop sits at 3.5 shots on goal which is a bit much for a player like him but given the matchup and the fact he has topped the line in 6 of the last 10 games I am willing to take a chance on it. Look for the Flames overall to dominate this game and for Kadri to be a large part of it. 

Pick: Nazem Kadri Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+115 on Caesars)

Expert NHL Picks: Dog of the Day

Chicago Blackhawks Money Line vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (+180 on BetMGM) HALF UNIT PLAY

 

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