There are six games on the NHL betting board today and we're breaking down the hockey odds for one of the worst teams in the league – and one of the best – as we bring you our best free NHL picks and predictions for Monday, February 8.
NHL Picks for Today
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Carolina Hurricanes
These teams tangled yesterday afternoon, with Carolina winning 6-5. The 11 total goals were a bit surprising, considering both teams' offensive struggles and the fact that they combined for just 48 shots on net.
The goaltending burden might be getting to both Carolina's James Reimer and Columbus' Joonas Korpisalo, who have logged lots of time in nets with Petr Mrazek and Elvis Merzlikins sidelined with injuries.
Carolina head coach Rod Brind'Amour could turn to Alex Nedeljkovic between the pipes but the 25-year-old has been shuttling back-and-forth between the taxi squad and played poorly in two of his three starts last year.
If the Canes start Nedeljkovic, that's just one more reason to like Columbus in this bounce-back spot. Keep in mind that the Blue Jackets have split each of their previous five two-game sets this year, inlcuding matchups against strong teams such as Tampa Bay, Dallas and Florida.
Despite the Hurricanes victory yesterday, they are still just 1-4 in the last five meetings in the head-to-head and the BJs look much better up front with recent acquisition Patrik Laine in the lineup. We're backing the slim home underdogs in this one.
PREDICTION: Columbus ML (+125)
Edmonton Oilers vs Ottawa Senators
The Oilers have certainly looked like a flawed team with a 6-7 start to the season and coming off a 6-4 loss to Alberta rival Calgary. That said, prior to that game they had won three in a row—which included a pair of contests against the 2-9-1 Senators.
Those two matchups had plenty of first-period fireworks with the Oilers leading 5-3 after the first period last Sunday and jumping out to a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes on Tuesday.
The Oilers now lead the league in first-period scoring with 18 goals across 13 games, while the Senators have allowed the most first-period goals in the league with 20 in 12 games. Those trends are nothing new for either squad, with the Oilers finishing third in the league in first-period scoring last year and Ottawa surrendering the second-most goals in the league in the opening frame.
With the Senators expected to once again start Matt Murray and his brutal 4.10 goals-against average between the pipes, and the Oilers averaging 3.54 goals per game, look for Edmonton to jump out to another fast start and back them to enter the first intermission with a lead.
PREDICTION: First Period Edmonton -0.5 (+135)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators
The defending Stanley Cup champions continue to roll right along with a 7-1-1 record and four straight wins. The Lightning have been excellent on both ends of the ice, allowing the fewest goals per game in the league with 2.0 and scoring the fifth-most with 3.56 goals per game.
While many teams have relied on goalie platoons this season due to the compact schedule, the Lightning have ridden No. 1 netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy in every game. The 2019 Vezina Trophy winner has been exceptional, posting a 1.88 GAA with a .931 save percentage across nine starts.
That said, the Lightning were forced to ride Vasilevskiy as backup Curtis McElhinney was sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols. He has finally been clear and will make his season debut tonight after going 8-7-3 with a 3.89 GAA and .906 SV% last season.
This is a good spot to play McElhinney, as the Predators are 5-6 and fresh off a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. Nashville has looked poor on both offense and defense, ranking 23rd in goals allowed with 3.27 per game, and 26th in scoring with 2.55 gpg.
Juuse Saros is expected to get the nod in nets and he is 3-3 with a 3.31 GAA and a save percentage of .893. He has been an absolute sieve lately, despite a strong Nashville defense in front of him. In his last game, he allowed five goals on just 24 shots against Florida and prior to that he surrendered four goals on 27 shots to Tampa Bay last week.
That meeting was the second time this season that Nashville and Tampa Bay have played each other, and the Bolts won both meetings by a combined score of 9-5. We're backing the Lightning to win this one in regulation.
PREDICTION: 3-Way Moneyline Tampa Bay (-105)
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 8
- Columbus ML (+125)
- First Period Edmonton -0.5 (+135)
- 3-Way Moneyline Tampa Bay (-105)
NHL Parlays
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