Cupid’s arrows have missed our hearts and hit us straight in the NHL betting adrenal gland. Even with just two games on the slate Sunday, we still get a perfect schedule that bookends dinner—so we don’t spend the evening in the doghouse.
We’re hitting a high total in the Steel City, as well as a little first-period action, and falling head over heels for the rested Avs versus a Knights team on the tail end of a back-to-back.
We break down the hockey odds and bring our best NHL picks predictions for Sunday, February 14.
NHL picks for today
Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins
It’s round three for the Capitals and Penguins, with Pittsburgh taking both of the first two games in overtime. The moneyline bets were sweaty in both those games but Over backers cashed their tickets before the third period in each match.
On the year, Pittsburgh and Washington are a combined 17-7 O/U. Both teams rank in the Bottom-5 in goals allowed per game, while the Capitals are the league’s third-highest scoring team at 3.58 goals per contest.
The last time the Capitals hit an Under was back on January 26, a span of five straight games. Since then, they have averaged a total of 8.2 goals per game combined and, thanks to poor goaltending play, are riding a three-game losing streak despite scoring 11 goals during that stretch.
Starter Ilya Samsonov may draw the start but it will be his first action since contracting COVID, which he has told reporters was a very uncomfortable experience with breathing and mobility issues. The goalie was struggling before the illness and we doubt he can just come in and be the goalie he was last year.
Alexander Ovechkin, on the other hand, is a different breed of athlete. He came back from the COVID list on fire, scoring four goals and adding three assists in his first four games back. Washington's top line of him, Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson have amassed 19 total points since Ovi drew back into the lineup.
The Penguins still haven’t found their No. 1 goalie...yet. Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith have split the workload evenly this year and both are sporting a save percentage outside the Top-50 netminders in the league. DeSmith is coming off a 4-3 shootout win on Thursday and is 4-1 SU on the year. He started both games against the Caps this year and while he picked up a pair of wins, he also allowed seven goals on just 49 shots.
The Capitals will be rested and ready to go since they have not played a game in a week. We’re smitten with this Over and love the loose and – very watchable – hockey these two teams play.
PREDICTION: Over 6.5 (-105)
Neither team has had much success this year playing and maintaining a lead. The Capitals have a win percentage of .500 when scoring first while the Penguins aren’t much better, only winning 60 percent of games when they pot the first marker. Both teams have picked up as many or more wins this year when they concede the first goal than when they score it themselves.
Washington has been a strong first-period team this year, scoring 1.25 goals per frame while allowing 0.83. The same cannot be said about Pittsburgh: Through 12 games, it has surrendered 20 first-period goals. That mark of 1.67 1P goals against per game is the highest in the league.
In the two previous matchups, Washington outscored Pittsburgh in the first period by a margin of 5-2 and won both frames. Washington is 3-1 SU in the first period in the four games that Ovechkin has returned and should come out with a little more jump with the extra rest.
PREDICTION: Washington first-period ML (-105)
Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche will be playing their first game since February 2, after COVID protocols paused their season. The rest is something to note as Colorado’s opponent, the Vegas Golden Knights, will be on the backend of a back-to-back and be playing its sixth game in 10 days (albeit all at home.
Vegas is coming off a physical 3-1 win against San Jose yesterday and may have to start third-string goalie Oscar Dansk, with Marc-Andre Fleury playing yesterday and Robin Lehner injured. The Knights will likely be without defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb as well.
With all the time off, Colorado could be getting back all-world talent Nathan MacKinnon. Colorado's leading scorer, with 14 points in 10 games, was on the ice for Thursday’s practice and has a great shot at suiting up tonight.
The Avs had won four of their last five games before the COVID stoppage and goalie Philipp Grubauer has been sensational with a 7-2 record to go along with a sparkling 1.67 goals-against average and a .934 SV%. Getting the Avs at plus money is not a common occurrence, so jump on this opportunity now while it's still available.
PREDICTION: Colorado ML (+100)
Top NHL consensus for today
Want to know who today's biggest NHL betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NHL consensus picks.
NHL betting card for February 14
- Washington-Pittsburgh Over 6.5 (-105)
- Washington first-period ML (-105)
- Colorado ML (+100)
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