Daily NHL Odds and Betting Trends – 08/02/20
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.
Coyotes vs Predators | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Predators -156 Favorites
Two teams that are barely familiar with each other will square off in the first game of this Western Conference qualifying series at Edmonton on Sunday as the Predators take on the Coyotes. They have met just three times since November of 2018, with the home team winning each game (Nashville hosted two of the meetings). Two of those three games went OVER the total too following a remarkable 10-0 UNDER run in the previous 10 meetings.
Flyers vs Bruins | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Bruins -138 Favorites
The hottest team in the NHL before play was halted will take on the best club during the regular season when the Flyers face the Bruins in an Eastern Conference round-robin matchup. Philadelphia and Boston are vying for the top seed in the East, and the latter blanked the former 2-0 in the final game for both prior to the pause back on March 10. The Flyers saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end and also lost to the Bruins for the first time in five meetings, with the total going UNDER for the third time in four head-to-head matchups. The Bruins enter the playoffs with eight more points than any team in the East.
Blues vs Avalanche | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Pick’em -110 Odds
The two best teams in the Western Conference will battle in another key round-robin matchup later on Sunday, with the Avalanche taking on the Blues. Just two points separated these Central Division teams at the end of the regular season, and St. Louis finished ahead after playing one more game. The defending Stanley Cup champion Blues lost the last two meetings by a combined score of 12-6 after winning the previous six in the series, and many believe one of these two clubs will end up playing for the Cup. St. Louis will have the extra benefit of getting All-Star winger Vladimir Tarasenko back in the lineup after shoulder surgery.
Blue Jackets vs Maple Leafs | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Maple Leafs -126 Favorites
The Maple Leafs will begin their quest for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final by essentially hosting the Blue Jackets in the opener of a best-of-five qualifying series in their own arena. That did not work out well for the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday in a 6-4 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, but Toronto should have some relief in not having to face the Boston Bruins in the opening round for the first time in three years. The Maple Leafs could obviously still meet the Bruins down the line, although an early series victory could give them a lot of confidence. Columbus has lost two of the past three meetings in Toronto, with the OVER going 2-0-1.
Wild vs Canucks | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Canucks -123 Favorites
It is anybody’s guess as to who will be the starting goalie for the Wild in the opener of this Western Conference qualifying round matchup with the Canucks. Alex Stalock (20-11-4, 2.67 goals-against average) was better than Devan Dubnyk (12-15-2, 3.35) during the regular season, but it would not be surprising if Minnesota head coach Dean Evason goes with the more experienced netminder. Evason has nothing to lose now that the interim tag has been removed from his title since taking over for Bruce Boudreau six months ago. Vancouver will not have that issue, as Jacob Markstrom (23-16-4, 2.75) is recovered from minor surgery he underwent back in February. However, the Canucks have lost four of the past five meetings.
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