Daily NHL Odds and Betting Trends – 08/15/20
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.
Bruins vs Hurricanes | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Bruins -125 Favorites
This is a key Game 3 between the fourth-seeded Bruins and fifth-seeded Hurricanes, with the winner taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Injuries are starting to mount for both sides, with no player more important than Boston’s David Pastrnak, who will be a game-time decision. Pastrnak led the team with 95 points (48 goals and 47 assists) during the regular season, and he had a goal and an assist in the 4-3 double-overtime victory in Game 1. If he cannot go, Carolina will obviously have an advantage, and the line could end up closing near a pick’em. The Bruins have gone just 1-4 this postseason while the Hurricanes have just that OT loss, and the latter ended a seven-game series skid with a 3-2 win as a +110 underdog in Game 2.
Avalanche vs Coyotes | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Avalanche -175 Favorites
The second-seeded Avalanche will be playing the second game of a back-to-back situation against the seventh-seeded Coyotes following a 3-2 victory as a -200 favorite on Friday. Colorado has won three of the last four times when playing the second game of a back-to-back, but Arizona has really struggled under this scenario, dropping seven of eight when playing back-to-back days. While the Coyotes have been fortunate to have Darcy Kuemper in net to keep them somewhat competitive with the Avalanche, he is just 3-6-1 with a 2.61 goals-against average when starting on consecutive days as well.
Lightning vs Blue Jackets | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Lightning -167 Favorites
The second-seeded Lightning were expected to take control of this series with the seventh-seeded Blue Jackets in Game 2, but instead they laid an egg in a 3-1 loss as a -185 favorite on Thursday. After winning Game 1 in five overtimes 3-2, Tampa Bay struggled offensively and was shut down again by Columbus goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who made 36 saves to raise his series total to 121. The UNDER is on a 6-0 run for the Lightning, and that may need to change if they are going to win Game 3. The Blue Jackets have won five of the past seven meetings, including last year’s four-game playoff sweep, with the UNDER on a 5-1 run.
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Golden Knights -182 Favorites
The biggest question for the top-seeded Golden Knights might be who is starting in goal for Game 3 between Robin Lehner and Marc-Andre Fleury. Vegas is a perfect 5-0 this postseason, and Lehner is 7-0 since joining the team at the end of February. He has started the first two games of this series, but Fleury figures to get some action here or on Sunday when the Golden Knights play on back-to-back nights. That said, Vegas has won three games in a row when playing the front end of a back-to-back situation, and five of seven dating back to December 2. Meanwhile, the eighth-seeded Blackhawks have now lost 10 of the 11 all-time meetings.
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