Daily NHL Odds and Betting Trends – 01/17/21
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.
Capitals vs Penguins | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Pick’em -111 Odds
An unbeaten Washington team visits a winless Pittsburgh club on Sunday in a nationally televised East Division matchup that has seen early money come in on the host after the game opened as a pick’em. The Penguins have put tremendous pressure on themselves early on this season following an 0-2 start against the rival Flyers that saw them get outscored 11-5 in their first two games. Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry was swarmed by Philadelphia, surrendering nine goals on 33 shots before eventually getting benched in the second game for Casey DeSmith, who was solid in relief (12 saves on 13 shots). DeSmith could get the call for the Penguins here again to start in hopes of righting the ship in what will be a critical two-game set versus the Capitals.
Meanwhile, Washington took care of business in Buffalo by sweeping two games as a road favorite each time. The Capitals saw backup goalie Vitek Vanecek step up in the second of the two games against the Sabres, stopping 30 of 31 shots in a 2-1 victory on Friday. Washington was hoping Henrik Lundqvist would fill that key role behind 25-year-old starter Ilya Samsonov (22 saves in a 6-4 win last Thursday), but the 25-year-old Vanecek played outstanding. These teams are very familiar with each other as Metropolitan Division rivals, as Washington has won the past two meetings since Pittsburgh put together a three-game series winning streak. The OVER is on a 4-0 run in this series as well.
Blackhawks vs Panthers | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Panthers -154 Favorites
Florida will finally play its first game of the season in a Central Division clash, with head coach Joel Quenneville facing his old team in Chicago. Quenneville led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013 and 2015) before joining the Panthers a year ago, and his current team was supposed to begin this year’s campaign with a pair of games against the Dallas Stars. Unfortunately, the Stars were stricken with a COVID-19 outbreak, delaying the start of the season for both teams. Florida saw netminder Sergei Bobrovsky return to the ice on Wednesday after being deemed unfit to play, but Chris Driedger will get the nod on Sunday.
Chicago also has a conundrum in goal following two losses to defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay to open its season. The Blackhawks started Malcolm Subban in their first game Wednesday and Collin Delia in the second Friday, and each gave up five goals to the Lightning as they were outscored 10-3. The good news for Chicago is that the team has won four of the past six meetings, and the OVER has cashed in three of the last four.
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