Thursday's Best NHL Bets
Carolina Hurricanes at Ottawa Senators
The Senators made some noise in the Eastern Conference with their 5-4 overtime win against the first-place Washington Capitals Tuesday night. That noise was the constant flicker of the red goal light hanging above the head of Capitals goalie Jose Theodore.
Ottawa has found its scoring stride in recent games, averaging four goals a night in its past three contests. The Sens have topped the total in two of those outings, pushing with the number in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
"At this time of year, not only do you want to win games, but you want to feel good about how you're playing, too," forward Jason Spezza told the CBC.com. "Confidence is huge this time of year, and there's a big difference between the win and the loss and how the mood is in the room the next day."
Ottawa will be brimming with confidence when it plays host to Carolina Thursday night. The Sens are rolling on a five-game winning streak and boast a 25-10-1-3 mark inside Scotiabank Place this season. Carolina, on the other hand, has trouble winning on the road, going just 12-19-4-2 as visitors.
The home team has been the play whenever these two clubs collide. In the last nine meetings, the host has won every game and outscored the visiting side 33-11 in that span. The last time these two teams played in Ottawa, the Senators took a 4-2 victory after scoring two goals in the third period back in mid-December.
Pick: Ottawa
Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is desperately trying to return to form after losing back-to-back games which followed a stretch of five win in seven outings for the perennial underdog. The last team the Leafs want to face right now are the Sabres, who have had their neighbor to the north’s number in recent games.
Buffalo has won 10 straight games against Toronto, going back to the 2009 season. The Maple Leafs, no matter how hard they try, can’t crack the Sabres. This season, three of their five games have been decided by one goal including two overtime finishes.
Beating the Leafs doesn’t get tired for the Sabres either. These two teams have a general dislike for each other, as was evident in their most recent meeting, a 3-2 win for Buffalo, in which Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller stopped 48 of 50 shots.
"I really don't like them. They're a rival and they're in our division," Miller, who has won all 10 games during the Toronto winning streak, told the Associated Press. "They constantly talk about how they're going to rough me up every night. I love nothing more than to get a win against them and send them an hour-and-a-half on their way."
Miller has remained sharp in goal for Buffalo, helping the team win six of their last seven games heading into Wednesday’s outing against the Florida Panthers.
Pick: Buffalo
ATLANTA (34-31-0-12, 80 pts.) at WASHINGTON (49-16-0-11, 109 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 15-28 ATS (+47.1 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 11-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 12-6 (+4.2 Units) against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 12-6-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.1 Units)
FLORIDA (30-33-0-12, 72 pts.) at BOSTON (35-29-0-12, 82 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 231-258 ATS (-78.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
FLORIDA is 114-138 ATS (-60.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1996.
FLORIDA is 42-37 ATS (+84.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 19-16 ATS (+40.8 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 35-41 ATS (+95.7 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 128-120 ATS (-45.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
BOSTON is 2-6 ATS (-8.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 15-22 ATS (+15.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 7-4 (+0.8 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-4-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.4 Units)
BUFFALO (42-24-0-9, 93 pts.) at TORONTO (28-37-0-12, 68 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 15-4 (+8.9 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 15-4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.5 Units)
PHILADELPHIA (38-32-0-6, 82 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (31-36-0-9, 71 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 39-38 ATS (-13.4 Units) in all games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 18-1 (+16.8 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 18-1-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
12 of 19 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.5 Units)
CAROLINA (32-35-0-9, 73 pts.) at OTTAWA (42-30-0-5, 89 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 5-20 ATS (+32.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
OTTAWA is 42-35 ATS (+91.9 Units) in all games this season.
OTTAWA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
OTTAWA is 11-3 ATS (+7.6 Units) after a 3 game unbeaten streak this season.
OTTAWA is 44-39 ATS (+88.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 22-14 ATS (+38.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
CAROLINA is 39-41 ATS (+91.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 10-5 ATS (+17.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
OTTAWA is 58-62 ATS (-27.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
OTTAWA is 25-31 ATS (-21.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 6-5 (+1.4 Units) against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 6-5-0 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.3 Units)
COLUMBUS (32-32-0-13, 77 pts.) at DETROIT (40-23-0-13, 93 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
COLUMBUS is 11-29 ATS (+46.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
COLUMBUS is 17-45 ATS (+84.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 1-11 ATS (+16.1 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
COLUMBUS is 8-31 ATS (+57.8 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 44-10 ATS (+21.2 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 13-15 ATS (-19.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
DETROIT is 37-29 ATS (-24.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 14-7 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 14-7-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.9 Units)
ST LOUIS (37-30-0-9, 83 pts.) at NASHVILLE (44-28-0-6, 94 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 43-34 ATS (+80.5 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 128-121 ATS (+270.7 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 24-15 ATS (+39.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ST LOUIS is 78-84 ATS (+173.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 15-7 ATS (+23.3 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponent this season.
ST LOUIS is 12-7 ATS (+21.6 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
ST LOUIS is 22-19 ATS (+48.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 17-13 ATS (+34.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
ST LOUIS is 47-38 ATS (+91.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 13-9 ATS (+27.2 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 10-8 (+0.4 Units) against the spread versus ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 10-8-0 straight up against ST LOUIS over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.2 Units)
VANCOUVER (46-26-0-4, 96 pts.) at LOS ANGELES (43-27-0-6, 92 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 7-4-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.3 Units)
ATLANTA vs. WASHINGTON
Atlanta is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Atlanta is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Washington is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
BUFFALO vs. TORONTO
Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
FLORIDA vs. BOSTON
Florida is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston
Florida is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Florida
Boston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Florida
PHILADELPHIA vs. NY ISLANDERS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games at home
NY Islanders are 8-17 SU in their last 25 games
CAROLINA vs. OTTAWA
Carolina is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Ottawa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Ottawa is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina
COLUMBUS vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games on the road
Columbus is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing at home against Columbus
Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Columbus
ST. LOUIS vs. NASHVILLE
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games at home
Nashville is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
VANCOUVER vs. LOS ANGELES
Vancouver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Los Angeles is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
ATLANTA at WASHINGTON
ATLANTA: 2-12 SU playing with triple revenge
WASHINGTON: 11-2 SU after 3+ consecutive losses
FLORIDA at BOSTON
FLORIDA: 8-2 SU revenging 2 straight 1 goal losses
BOSTON: 1-6 SU at home off a road win
BUFFALO at TORONTO
BUFFALO: N/A
TORONTO: N/A
PHILADELPHIA at NY ISLANDERS
PHILADELPHIA: 3-11 SU after having lost 4 of their last 5
NY ISLANDERS: 8-2 SU at home off a 1 goal loss
CAROLINA at OTTAWA
CAROLINA: 10-4 SU after allowing 1 goal or less
OTTAWA: 16-30 SU playing with double revenge
COLUMBUS at DETROIT
COLUMBUS: 13-11 SU after having won 2 of their last 3
DETROIT: 0-5 SU revenging a shutout loss
ST LOUIS at NASHVILLE
ST LOUIS: 7-1 SU Away playing with double revenge
NASHVILLE: 4-11 SU after allowing 2 goals or less in 3 straight
VANCOUVER at LOS ANGELES
VANCOUVER: N/A
LOS ANGELES: N/A
Hot Teams
-- Thrashers won six of their last nine games.
-- Sabres won seven of their last eight games. Toronto won six of its last eight home games, but lost last two overall (5-4ot/3-2).
-- Islanders won three of their last four home games.
-- Senators won last five games, outscoring foes 17-8. Hurricanes won five of their last seven games.
-- Detroit won its last six games, outscoring foes 23-12. Blue Jackets won three of their last four games.
-- Blues won last three games, allowing four goals. Predators are 6-1 in game following their last seven losses.
Cold Teams
-- Washington lost last three games, allowing 13 goals.
-- Florida lost its last four games, outscored 16-7. Bruins are 2-6 in game following their last eight wins.
-- Flyers lost five of their last six games.
-- Canucks lost last three road games: 4-3/3-2/4-2. Kings lost four of their last five games.
Totals
-- Over is 8-3 in Washington's last eleven games. Last six Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last nine Toronto games stayed under. Six of last nine Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Islander games went over the total.
-- Last six Carolina games stayed under the total.
-- 11 of last 15 Columbus games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Nashville games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Los Angeles games stayed under the total.
Playing second of back-to-back nights
-- Florida is 3-9 on road if it played the night before.
-- Buffalo is 4-5 if it won the night before, 3-2 on road.
-- Carolina is 2-6 on road if it played the night before.
Series Records
-- Washington won its last six games against the Thrashers.
-- Bruins won five of last seven games against Florida.
-- Maple Leafs lost their last ten games against Buffalo.
-- Philly won its last seven games against the Islanders.
-- Home side won last nine Carolina-Ottawa games; Hurricanes lost last four visits to Ottawa.
-- Red Wings won seven of last eight games against Columbus.
-- Predators won three of last four games against St Louis; road team has won last five series games.
-- Canucks won last five games against LA, outscoring Kings 14-5.