Welcome back to NHL best bets to all my hockey heads out there! It's Thursday so you know what that means: another huge slate in the hockey world. 

 

 

 

As the season winds into the home stretch with just about 2 weeks to go, consider what teams are still playing for something and the teams that are not! From a betting standpoint, NHL odds are also going to start to become less favorable, so don't be afraid to get into DFS or player props as we head to the end of the season.

In today's NHL predictions writeup, you will find 4 types of wagers that include a regulation moneyline, game total, and a team total. Another one of my favorite picks even centers around NHL props! The Dog of the Day is back again as well for a potential plus money winner.

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

  • Season Record: 130-108-5
  • Bankroll: +15.8 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 19-19 (+5.65 Units)

* All NHL picks below will be followed by their accompanying NHL odds. Be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @jwaggs10!

 

 

 

NHL Predictions, Picks, & Best Bets Today, 4/4

Blues vs. Predators Prediction: Thursday, April 4

Another best bets article and another pick involving the Predators as they’ve been a money-making machine for this column, between moneylines and game totals, throughout the past couple of months. The Preds have dropped 3 straight heading into tonight though, so they’ll be motivated, and I love the matchup for them tonight. 

The Blues are an average team that play well on home ice and not so much on the road. Over the past 45 days St. Louis has only managed to score 2.5 goals per game away from home while allowing 3.3 goals per game, not exactly a winning formula. This stems from them being the 2nd-worst team in Corsi For on the road since the All-Star break in the NHL at just 43.3%.

This means the Predators should control play for most of the game and they’ve only given up 2 goals per game on the home ice during the past 45 days as well. Goals will be at a premium tonight for St. Louis, and I think they fall due to lack of chances so give me Nashville to win this game in regulation and for the Blues to be held in check on offense.  

 

 

 

Lightning vs. Canadiens Prediction: Thursday, April 4

It has often been the philosophy of teams on the back-to-back to get in and get out with a win in the simplest of ways and that’s where the Lightning find themselves tonight on the road after a win last night in Toronto. That’s not the only driving force though as actual stats can account for the reason, I like the under in this matchup.

Starting with Tampa Bay, they are starting to round into form at the right time on defense allowing just 2.6 goals per game on the road over the past 45 days. More recently they’ve gone under the total in 5 straight games now and it's hard to see a matchup with Montreal breaking that streak. 

The Habs don’t have much of an offense these days scoring just 2.6 goals per game on the home ice during the above timespan, but they have stayed competitive through a defense that is allowing 2.1 goals per game on home ice. Their shots against have come down as well from 35-36 per game to nearly 31 so the team is buying in to protecting the net. 

Montreal has also gone under the total in 20 of 36 home games this season. This makes the game total of 6.5 just a bit too high for me and one line that I will be fading tonight, expecting that trends continue.  

 

 

 

Kings vs. Sharks Prediction: Thursday, April 4

This is a game that I would really love to bet on the Kings, but the moneyline is out to moon and back with chalk and the puck line may be a bit too much to ask of a team that played last night. Where do I go then? The NHL props market, of course!

The Sharks at home have given up 5 goals per game over the past 45 days as well as 33.2 shots per contest. Those are prime numbers to attack and for the prop I really like Kevin Fiala tonight. He has struggled a bit lately at topping his line of 2.5 shots on goal, but matchup wise he loves playing the Sharks. He has 29 shots over his last 8 meetings with the Pacific Division rival for a hit rate of 75% in those games. 

He is projected around 2.9 shots for tonight which gives some positive value on his odds, and I think he gets plenty of ice time tonight as well. Give me the over here so I can have some exposure to this great matchup. 

 

 

 

NHL Predictions: Dog of the Day Expert Pick

If you enjoyed reading over my NHL picks today, you’ll want to check out everything else we have to offer here at Fantasy Alarm!