Daily NHL Odds and Betting Trends – 08/01/20

by OddsShark (@OddsShark) – Sponsored Post

Here’s a look at the NHL odds and betting trends for the games on today’s schedule.

All NHL betting lines below are as listed at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

Rangers vs Hurricanes | OddsShark Matchup Report

Opening NHL Odds: Hurricanes -145 Favorites

The Rangers have owned the Hurricanes recently, winning five straight meetings and 10 of the last 12, with the OVER cashing in the past two following a 4-0 UNDER run. While both of these teams are certainly capable of exploding offensively, the key to this series will likely be which of them gets the better goaltending. New York’s Igor Shesterkin (10-2, 2.52 goals-against average) finished the regular season strong, but the team still might turn to future Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist in what could be his last chance to chase a Stanley Cup.

Blackhawks vs Oilers | OddsShark Matchup Report

Opening NHL Odds: Oilers -182 Favorites

Another surprise team that won the regular-season series like the Rangers and would not have made the postseason without a qualifying round will be intriguing to watch as the Blackhawks battle the Oilers on their home ice. Chicago won two of the three meetings before play was halted and has taken three of the last four with Edmonton overall. In fact, the past two meetings at Rogers Place were split between them as well, and both of those saw eight goals scored to easily end up OVER the total.

Panthers vs Islanders | OddsShark Matchup Report

Opening NHL Odds: Islanders -138 Favorites

The Panthers made a big investment in goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (23-19-6, 3.23) before the season started, and now they will count on him to perform like he did in the first round of the playoffs for the Columbus Blue Jackets a year ago. The 31-year-old Russian helped Columbus sweep the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round last season, and he was 0-2 in two games versus New York this season despite a solid 2.05 GAA and .938 save percentage. The Islanders have won the past four meetings, with the UNDER on a 7-0-1 run.

Canadiens vs Penguins | OddsShark Matchup Report

Opening NHL Odds: Penguins -208 Favorites

This appears to be the biggest mismatch on Saturday based on the betting line, although the number has come down significantly toward the Canadiens after opening higher than -200 in favor of the Penguins at some sportsbooks. With a clean slate, Montreal has new life with an opportunity to pull off a major upset behind former All-Star netminder Carey Price (27-25-6, 2.79). While Price has not been as good as he was when he made the All-Star team in each of the previous three seasons, he went 1-1-1 with a 2.32 GAA in three starts against Pittsburgh during the regular season. The teams have split the past six meetings overall.

Jets vs Flames | OddsShark Matchup Report

Opening NHL Odds: Flames -149 Favorites

Goaltending is so important in the postseason, and the Jets will be leaning on one of the league’s best in facing the Flames. Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck (31-21-5, 2.57) was named one of the finalists for the Vezina Trophy for the second time in three years, and rightfully so since he carried his team defensively after losing some key blue-liners last offseason. Hellebuyck started only one game versus Calgary during the regular season but stopped 29 of 30 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory on October 26, 2019. The Flames have dropped the past two meetings and four of the last six, with all of those losses finishing UNDER the total.

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