NHL Best Bets Today, 3/11: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Tuesday
Welcome to our expert NHL Best Bets today!
We have a massive 11-game slate tonight and it's officially crunch time in the NHL! We are down to the final 20 games of the season, so let's jump into our NHL predictions!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/11
This is honestly my favorite time of the NHL season since we know what teams are playing for and we can start to lean on some money lines with our NHL best bets over the final few weeks.
Predators vs. Sharks Prediction: Tuesday, March 11th
While this might not be a headliner type of game, there's plenty of value in the prop market for NHL best bets today when the Nashville Predators visit the San Jose Sharks.
Defense will likely be optional between these two teams and while it may lead to a sloppy real-life game, the goals should be there. Earlier this season, these teams got into two absolute barn burners with the scores ending 7-5 and 6-5. This shouldn't come as a surprise since they are both in the bottom seven of the league for goals allowed this season.
Let's turn to rookie sensation, Macklin Celebrini to score a goal and over 3.5 shots on goal tonight. He comes in with a very solid 41 shots on goal over his last 10 games, along with 3 goals. He was able to find the back of the net in both meetings against the Predators earlier this season, along with 11 total shots on goal.
The future Calder Trophy winner will look to get the offense going against a dreadful defense tonight.
- Expert Predators vs. Sharks Picks:
- Macklin Celebrini To Score a Goal (+170 on DraftKings)
- Macklin Celebrini Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+100 on FanDuel)
Blue Jackets vs. Devils Prediction: Tuesday, March 11th
Don't look now, but this is a far more important game than we would've assumed earlier in the season. The Columbus Blue Jackets are just four points behind the New Jersey Devils in the Metro Division.
The Devils are still looking to find a bit of consistency after Jack Hughes went out for the season and this is a very important matchup for them as a team overall, but also when it comes to the playoff race within their division. I would lean on the under in this game when making NHL best bets today, but I want to look at a shot prop for Timo Meier.
Right from the jump, yes, this has a bit of juice, but the matchup is good and the missing offensive production with Hughes out of the lineup has seemingly been filled by Meier. He comes in with at least three shots in five of his last six games, which shouldn't be too much of a surprise since he now leads the team in shots with Hughes out.
Over the last two weeks, the Blue Jackets have allowed 66.58 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-worst in the league. This has been an issue for Columbus for several years and even though they aren't allowing as many goals, the shots are still there for opposing teams.
- Expert Blue Jackets vs. Devils Picks:
- Timo Meier Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-165 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/11
- Washington Capitals vs Anaheim Ducks Under 6.5 Total (-132 on FanDuel)
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.