Welcome to our expert NHL Best Bets today!

As of today, 10 of the 16 playoff spots have been clinched, and it's getting late for a number of teams across the league. High-leverage hockey is what we have for the final 10 days of our NHL predictions – at least in the regular season. 

 

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/7

There's been a noticeable change in lines posted by sportsbooks over the past week, which factors into our NHL best bets today. 

We're rarely seeing 6.5 totals, as games are becoming a bit tighter across the board. 

 

 

 

Flames vs. Sharks Prediction: Monday, April 7th

The Calgary Flames' season is hanging on by a thread right now and this is not a game they can afford to lose. Right now, the Flames are six points behind the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, so they need to win games and get a bit of help elsewhere. 

Of course, they have to take care of business on their end and that starts with coming away with a win over the lowly San Jose Sharks tonight. Over the last two weeks, the Sharks have allowed 65.24 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the sixth-worst in the league. This is nothing new for them, as we've targeted them all season for shot props since their defense is so bad. 

Over that same time frame and in the same situations, the Flames have generated a whopping 70.91 Total Shot Attempts, which is the second-best in the league. They need to score to win the game, it sounds silly but it's as simple as that for the Flames. 

Let's turn to Nazem Kadri for our NHL best bets today, who leads the team with 257 shots on goal this season, along with 35 in his last 10 games, which is also the team-high. In the first two games against the Sharks this season, Kadri piled up 6 and 7 shots, which is the type of effort they'll need from him tonight. 

 

 

 

Oilers vs. Ducks Prediction: Monday, April 7th

While it looks unlikely that the Oilers will catch the Los Angeles Kings to take back the second seed in the Pacific, and thus, home ice in the first round, they need to end the season on a high note. 

With both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl out of the lineup for the past few games, it's clear the offense and roles for players have changed a bit. This opens up a bit of value when players have new roles and that brings us to Viktor Arvidsson. 

He's now on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, which has allowed him to rack up at least four shots in four straight games, and three shots in seven of his last 11 games. Some of those games included both McDavid and Draisaitl, some only Draisaitl, some neither of them. While the lineup and his role have changed a good amount over this stretch of games, his shot volume is pretty solid. 

As for the matchup, it's a great one versus the Ducks, since they've allowed 62.48 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the eighth-worst in the league over the last two weeks. The Oilers could still get home ice back in the first round and that would start with them beating a bad Ducks team tonight. Lock 'em into your NHL best bets today.

 

 

 

Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 4/7