Daily NHL Odds and Betting Trends – 08/03/20
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 -150 Favorites
The Rangers will try to rebound from a 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes in Game 1 of their qualifying round series, twice facing two-goal deficits before scoring a short-handed goal in the final two minutes for the final result. New York lost for the sixth time in eight games overall dating back to the end of the regular season, this time falling as a slight +110 underdog. The Rangers had won the previous five meetings and 10 of the last 12 prior to Saturday’s defeat. For Carolina, Sebastian Aho played very well with one goal and an assist while goaltender Petr Mrazek stopped 24-of-26 shots to earn the victory opposite New York’s Henrik Lundqvist (34 saves).
Jets vs Flames | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Flames -125 Favorites
Bad blood is already brewing in this series, as the Flames should expect some retaliation from the Jets following a 4-1 loss in Game 1 on Saturday. Winnipeg jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuk took out Mark Scheifele on a vicious hit against the boards, knocking him out of the game. Scheifele suffered a leg injury and did not return, and he is expected to miss Game 2 while Patrik Laine could also be out with a wrist injury. Scheifele and Laine combined for 136 points (57 goals and 79 assists) during the regular season, and their teammates must step up in this spot, or they could be staring at a sweep.
Capitals vs Lightning | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Lightning -125 Favorites
The Lightning and Capitals will each attempt to seize the moment and put themselves in position for the top seed in the Eastern Conference when they square off. The Boston Bruins lost 4-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, giving both the Lightning and Capitals the chance to pull even with the latter atop the round-robin standings. Washington has actually won the past four meetings with Tampa Bay and six of the last eight, with the OVER on a 5-1 run. The Lightning have not scored more than two goals in either of the last two matchups.
Stars vs Golden Knights | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Golden Knights -125 Favorites
The Golden Knights will turn to goaltender Robin Lehner in the first game that matters for them when they take on the Stars in a Western Conference round-robin matchup. Regular starting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury played well in the exhibition win over the Arizona Coyotes, but Vegas head coach Peter DeBoer has said he will alternate him and Lehner in this round. Lehner was stellar in three regular-season games for the Golden Knights, going 3-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. Meanwhile, Dallas will lean on veteran netminder Ben Bishop, who went 1-0-1 in two starts vs. Vegas with a 2.48 GAA. The Golden Knights have won six of the eight all-time meetings, with the UNDER going 5-2-1.
Canadiens vs Penguins | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Pengins -160 Favorites
The Canadiens used a strong start to help earn a 3-2 overtime victory against the Penguins in Game 1 on Saturday. Montreal took an early 2-0 lead and cashed as a +140 underdog despite being the worst team from either conference to make the postseason. The Canadiens have goalie Carey Price to thank, as he was phenomenal outside of a brief three-minute stretch in which he allowed both goals by the Penguins. Price made 39 saves and was perfect in the first and third periods along with OT, when Jeff Petry scored the game winner at 13:57.
Blackhawks vs Oilers | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Oilers -160 Favorites
The Blackhawks turned in one of the most impressive performances on Saturday as they routed the Oilers 6-4 on their home ice. Chicago closed as a +115 underdog and has now won four of the past five meetings with Edmonton dating back to the regular season. In addition, the last three games between the teams at Rogers Place have averaged nearly nine goals, with all of them easily finishing OVER the total. If Edmonton is going to even this series, then goalie Mikko Koskinen will need to get an opportunity to prove himself in Game 2 after Mike Smith was shelled in the opener. Smith was also just 1-2 with a 3.56 GAA against the Blackhawks during the regular season, and his best days are clearly behind him.
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