Daily NHL Odds and Betting Trends – 03/30/19
by OddsShark (@OddsShark) – Sponsored Post
Here’s a look at the NHL odds and betting trends for the full slate of games on today’s schedule. All NHL betting lines are as listed at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Panthers at Bruins | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Bruins -265 Favorites
The Bruins own a six-point lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs for second place in the Atlantic Division, which would give them home-ice advantage in a first-round playoff series. The Panthers have already been eliminated from postseason contention, which is why the line is so high in favor of their opponent. Boston has won the past two meetings, including a 7-3 rout at Florida a week ago as a -145 road favorite
Flyers at Hurricanes | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Hurricanes -180 Favorites
A win by the Hurricanes here would essentially eliminate the Flyers from competing for a playoff spot while it would also keep them ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first Wild Card in the Eastern Conference. Carolina has lost two games in a row though, with both coming in a home-and-home series with the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. In addition, the UNDER has cashed in the team’s last three games.
Capitals at Lightning | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Lightning -195 Favorites
These teams will be meeting for the third time in three weeks in yet another rematch from last year’s Eastern Conference final. The Lightning have won the previous two meetings with the Capitals by a combined score of 11-7, with the OVER cashing easily both times. Of course Tampa Bay blew a 3-2 series lead in the playoffs a year ago before Washington won the Cup.
Canadiens at Jets | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Jets -170 Favorites
The Jets must win this game in order to stay ahead of the Nashville Predators in the race for the Central Division title. Nashville beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 on Friday to move into a tie with Winnipeg atop the division, but the Jets still have an extra game to play. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are still fighting for a playoff berth and find themselves tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second Wild Card in the East, although they have played one extra game. Montreal is coming off a 6-2 loss to Columbus as a +130 road underdog on Thursday.
Sabres at Islanders | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Islanders -210 Favorites
The Islanders stayed ahead of the Penguins for second place in the Metropolitan Division on Friday by virtue of Pittsburgh’s loss to Nashville and their 5-4 win at Winnipeg as a +145 road underdog on Thursday. New York is unlikely to catch Washington for the division title, but home ice versus Pittsburgh in a first-round playoff series would be a nice consolation. The Sabres have lost five games in a row along and five of the past seven meetings in this series.
Maple Leafs at Senators | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Maple Leafs -205 Favorites
The Maple Leafs are pretty much stuck in third place in the Metro for the second year in a row, which means giving up the home-ice edge to the Bruins again. The Senators wish they could be in that position, although they have gone a respectable 17-17-4 at home despite totaling the lowest number of points in the league overall. In fact, Ottawa routed Toronto 6-2 as a +225 home underdog two weeks ago for the team’s second win in three meetings, with the OVER cashing for the eighth straight time in the series dating back to 2017.
Blues at Devils | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Blues -175 Favorites
The Blues blew an excellent opportunity to keep pace with the Predators on Friday, falling 4-2 to the New York Rangers as -220 road favorites. Nashville moved four points ahead of St. Louis in the race for second place in the Central Division thanks to that loss and a win. The Blues have also lost three of their last four when playing the second game of a back-to-back situation, which does not bode well. The good thing though is the Devils are awful and also playing the second game of a back-to-back after losing 4-0 to the Detroit Red Wings at home.
Blue Jackets at Predators | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Predators -135 Favorites
This is an outstanding matchup between two teams fighting for playoff positioning in opposite conferences. The Blue Jackets are trying to fend off the Montreal Canadiens for the second Wild Card spot in the East while the Predators have a bigger goal of winning the Central Division for the second year in a row in the West. Regardless, Nashville is in a much tougher spot playing on back-to-back nights and has lost four consecutive times in that situation.
Vegas Golden Knights at San Jose Sharks | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Sharks -140 Favorites
These two Pacific Division rivals are both skidding simultaneously and seem destined to meet in the playoffs again, only this time in the first round. The Sharks are riding a season-high seven-game losing streak while the Golden Knights have dropped four straight following a 3-2 defeat to the Minnesota Wild as a -200 home favorite on Friday. Vegas is 11-13 all-time in its two years when playing the second game of a back-to-back during the regular season but crushed San Jose 7-3 the last time in this situation as a +160 road underdog on March 18.
Ducks at Oilers | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Oilers -145 Favorites
The Oilers are close to being eliminated but can prevent that from happening for at least one more game with a home victory against the Ducks. Edmonton managed to pick up one point despite falling 3-2 to the Dallas Stars in a shootout on Thursday, as the team has alternated losses and wins in its last five games. Anaheim has alternated losses and wins in its previous six after getting blown out 6-1 by the Calgary Flames as a +230 road underdog on Friday. The OVER has also cashed in four straight games for the Ducks, who have lost six of their last seven when playing the second game of a back-to-back situation.
Stars at Canucks | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Stars -155 Favorites
The Stars could end up in the first Wild Card spot in the West, which means a first-round playoff matchup with the Central Division champion. They have put together a three-game winning streak at the right time while the Canucks have already been eliminated. Dallas has lost three of the past four meetings with Vancouver though, with the UNDER cashing in the last three. The Stars are completing a four-game Canadian road trip here.
Blackhawks at Kings | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Blackhawks -115 Favorites
This is yet another must-win situation for the Blackhawks in order to keep their slim postseason hopes alive. They are coming off a 5-4 upset of the Sharks as +175 road underdogs on Thursday, as the OVER cashed for the first time in seven games. The Kings have lost their last two games following a three-game winning streak, falling 3-2 to the Canucks in a shootout as +120 road underdogs on Thursday.
Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for analysis on this week’s top games. As well, the OddsShark Computer serves up daily NHL picks for bettors.