Daily NHL Odds and Betting Trends – 08/16/20


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.
Capitals vs Islanders | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Capitals -119 Favorites
The Capitals face a nearly must-win situation against their former head coach Barry Trotz, who knows their personnel so well that he has helped give the Islanders a huge advantage en route to their 2-0 series lead. In Game 2, Washington was a much different team without Nicklas Backstrom, who suffered a concussion on a hard hit from New York’s Anders Lee. The Capitals again took an early lead only to melt down in the second period, when they were outscored 3-1 by the Islanders, who won for the second straight time as small underdogs. The OVER is 4-0-1 in New York’s last five games.
Stars vs Flames | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Stars -109 Favorites
Ben Bishop does not seem to be the same goalie for the Stars heading into Game 4 of this Western Conference series versus the Flames, who will try to take advantage of that situation yet again. For the second time in three games, Anton Khudobin was between the pipes for Dallas, and he made 21 saves in a 2-0 loss in Game 3. That victory gave Calgary a 2-1 series lead, as Cam Talbot turned away all 35 shots he faced to pick up the shutout. The Flames have now won four of their last five while the Stars have lost 10 of 12.
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Golden Knights -172 Favorites
The Golden Knights can become the first team to move on to the second round if they can sweep the Blackhawks. Marc-Andre Fleury got the call in net for Vegas and played very well after Robin Lehner started the first two games, making 26 saves in a 2-1 victory. The Golden Knights cashed again as -160 favorites, and Lehner figures to get the call in Game 4 since they are playing on back-to-back days. Vegas has won seven straight times when playing the second game of a back-to-back situation, along with nine of the last 10. Chicago has lost 11 of the 12 all-time meetings.
Flyers vs Canadiens | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Flyers -125 Favorites
Can the Canadiens keep up the momentum they gained from a 5-0 rout of the Flyers in Game 2 on Friday? Or will Philadelphia bounce back to take back control of this best-of-seven series? Montreal saw goalie Carey Price earn his second shutout in three games with 30 saves in Game 2, with the team pulling off the upset as a +125 underdog. Price’s counterpart Carter Hart stopped 22-of-26 shots in the loss before getting pulled in favor of Brian Elliott, and the 22-year-old will be tested here again in Game 3. The Canadiens have nothing really to lose in this series, with no pressure on them to advance, and they are playing like it.
Blues vs Canucks | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Blues -135 Favorites
There is speculation that Jake Allen could replace Jordan Binnington in net for the Blues, who are still searching for their first win of the postseason against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 3. The defending Stanley Cup champions saw Allen make 37 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars in round-robin play one week ago, and he seems like the right choice in this situation if St. Louis is going to try to pick up a victory here. Vancouver has won three straight meetings in the series dating back to the regular season, the latest coming on Friday 4-3 in overtime thanks to the fourth goal in two games for Bo Horvat.
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