We’re riding a 3-0 +4.1u Wednesday into the weekend and eyeing up three spots in the NHL’s four-game Friday schedule.
We’re jumping on February’s best Over team, expecting another low-scoring game from one of the league’s worst offenses and signing up for a home moneyline in the nightcap.
We break down the odds and bring our best predictions for NHL hockey for Friday, February 19.
NHL picks for today
Chicago Blackhawks vs Carolina Hurricanes
A Friday card wouldn’t be complete without the night’s best Over play.
The Hurricanes have been on an Over heater since the calendar hit February, as they are 8-1 O/U in their last nine. Last year’s defensive system is out the window this season, as Carolina is allowing 3.67 goals per game over its last 10 while also scoring 4.00 goals per game. This new run-and-gun style of hockey has padded Over backers’ pockets as both teams have reached three goals in all of Carolina’s previous eight Overs.
Chicago has also had a sneaky offensive month, averaging 3.22 goals per game, which is a Top-10 mark. The Blackhawks have also not had any trouble scoring against the Canes this year. Over the two previous matchups, Chicago has totaled nine goals but also allowed four goals in each match. The two high-scoring meetings have meant the total is 2-0 O/U this season.
Carolina may need to run up the score in order to walk away with a point or two if young goalie Alex Nedeljkovic gets the start, with this being the front end of a double-header. The Carolina backup has given up at least three goals in each of his three starts this year, while starter James Reimer’s goals against average and save percentage are on the wrong side of the league average. Carolina, as a team, has surrendered three or more goals in eight of its last nine matches.
PREDICTION: Over 6 (-115)
Florida Panthers vs Detroit Red Wings
The Panthers come into Friday’s road match with the Red Wings in great form as they're winners of four of their last five, which included underdog wins of +115, +145 and +135.
Friday will be the fifth meeting this year between the two Central Division opponents as the Panthers have taken three of the four previous matchups. The Under has hit in all four games with one team scoring more than three goals just once.
On the year, Detroit is tied for the league’s best Under mark — hitting it in 11 of its 15 games and seven of its last nine.
The Panthers have been giving up over three goals per game this month and the penalty kill has been a big contributor to that. Luckily for Florida’s bottom-10 penalty kill, the Red Wings have been the league’s worst power-play team in February — scoring zero power-play goals across nine matches.
Detroit is coming off a 2-0 shutout loss to Chicago on Wednesday and has now scored just 15 goals in eight home games. Florida may need to score five or six for the Over to hit.
PREDICTION: Under 5.5 (-105)
Winnipeg Jets vs Vancouver Canucks
Despite playing 20 games and only playing six other teams within their division, the Vancouver Canucks have faced the Winnipeg Jets just once this year — a 4-1 win at the end of January.
Things were looking pretty ugly there for the Canucks as they were riding a six-game losing streak. They strung together a five-point takeaway from the Flames in their previous three games and are happy to be playing at home.
The Canucks have managed just six points over 11 road games this year, but at home, they have fared better thanks to an offense that is scoring over 3.5 goals per game. Both Vancouver goalies have posted one-goal games over the last week, which gives us a lot more confidence with the starter not yet announced.
The Jets have cooled off of late, having strung together a sub-.500 record since they lost to Vancouver back on January 30. Since then, Winnipeg has gone 4-5 SU.
Jets’ goalie Connor Hellebuyck has taken advantage of playing against the Senators this season, but other teams have gotten to the 2019 Vezina candidate. Over his last seven games against teams not named the Ottawa Senators, Hellebuyck has given up three or more goals six times and went 3-4 SU.
A big indication of how the books feel about the home team is the odds. Vancouver has closed as decent underdogs in 10 straight games but opened at -110 for Friday’s tilt. It marks just the fourth time this year that the Canucks haven’t been even money or better. The previous three times as a favorite were against the Senators where Vancouver went 3-0 SU.
PREDICTION: Vancouver ML (-110)
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Top NHL consensus for today
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NHL betting card for February 19
- Blackhawks vs. Hurricanes - Over 6 (-115)
- Panthers vs. Red Wings - Under 5.5 (-105)
- Jets vs. Canucks - Vancouver ML (-110)
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