Welcome back to NHL Best Bets and Props to all my hockey heads out there! It's Tuesday so you know what that means: another huge slate in the hockey world. 

 

 

 

As the season winds into the final stretch with just a couple weeks remaining, consider this: remember what teams are still playing for something and the teams that are not! With NHL odds also becoming less favorable, don't shy away from getting into DFS or NHL props as we head to the end of the campaign.

In today's NHL picks writeup, you will find 4 types of wagers that include a game total, puck line, player prop and a team total! 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: 132-110-5
  • Bankroll: +16.1 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 20-20 (+6.15 Units)

* The below NHL predictions will be accompanied by their respective NHL odds. Be sure to follow me on Twitter/X @jwaggs10!

 

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions, & Best Bets Today, 4/9

Sabres vs. Stars Prediction

This matchup tonight has a glaring trend and if you’ve been following my betting this season, you already know where I am going, and it’s the game total. The Sabres have been a cash cow for unders lately going lower than the number in 8 of the past 10 road games. 

Much of it is thanks to their goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who has been a stud with a 2.57 GAA, but the team defense as a whole has pulled its weight. They’ve allowed just 3 goals per game on the road the last 45 days. 

On the Dallas side, it's scary to pick the under, but with the way they have recommitted to defense, it’s a bit easier to swallow. Over the past 45 days, the Stars have given up just 2.3 goals per game on home ice and the Buffalo offense isn’t all that impressive either. 

Add to the mix a streaking Jake Oettinger, who has a 1.58 GAA and .943 SV% through the last 7 games, and you get a recipe for an under with the first of today’s NHL best bets. The total of 6.5 just seems like too much.  

  • Expert Sabres vs. Stars Picks: 
    • Buffalo vs. Dallas Under 6.5 Goals (-125 on ESPN BET) 

 

 

 

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Prediction

Here we go again riding the Lightning in our NHL predictions! It's been such a roller coaster season from this group, from playing without a real goaltender for several months to top liners getting benched to now playing some of their best hockey of the season down the stretch!

The Lightning are rolling right now on offense and especially at home. They’ve scored 3.9 goals per game over the past 45 days and have scored 4 or more goals in 9 of the last 13 games! That should continue tonight against a Blue Jackets team that has been bad all season long and lately have given up an even 4 goals per game on the road in the past month. 

If you haven’t noticed by now, 4 is the magic number tonight, as that’s the team total for the Lightning and I think they cruise to that over this evening so lock in the wager. After glossing over NHL props, I’m going to add a player to this as well with Anthony Duclair. 

He’s surged in shots production of late going over his prop line of 1.5 shots on goal in 10 of the last 15 games and with a number that low, all it takes is a couple shifts and it's over! The Blue Jackets are allowing 34 shots on goal per game on the road this season as well, 2nd most in the league. 

 

 

 

Wild vs. Avalanche Prediction

To finalize my NHL picks today, it should be a fun matchup in this one as the Wild battle for their playoff hopes and the Avalanche try to keep their place atop the Central Division! I love Colorado anytime they play at home this season as they are one of the best, if not the best, home squad in the entire league. 

The record speaks for itself at 29-8-1 on the season but the underlying numbers are just as impressive recently. In the last 45 days, they are scoring 4.3 goals while allowing just 2.6 goals per game. They also cover the puck line very well at a record of 22-16 on the season overall. 

That leads me to backing the Avs of course, and while the Wild should put up a fight, their road play just won’t keep up scoring a lowly 2.7 goals per game. Give me the Avs on the puck line tonight at plus money!

 

 

 

NHL Predictions: Dog of the Day