The NHL dives into the final week and a half of the regular season. Five games are on this slate, but we spotlight only a few of the best matchups!
Sunday was truly a crazy day and night of hockey, and we even had load maintenance thrown into the mix. What will happen tonight? Let’s get to it!
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers Picks
Pick 1: New York Rangers moneyline +124 via DraftKings
The New York Rangers are in dire straits after a weekend 4-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Math dictates terrible tidings. With six games to play, New York is six points out of a playoff spot. Worse, the Rangers are 32-44 ATS, and the Over is 35-39. Igor Shesterkin has dropped six of his last eight starts while allowing three or more goals seven times.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are coming off an infuriating effort in which they left Jonas Johansson out to dry. Tampa still rolls in 40-36 ATS and is 5-0 overall against teams from the NY/NJ area. Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start against Igor Shesterkin.
The problem with New York all year is that the Rangers have kept trying to find solutions by plugging back in the same negatives. Every game is a must-win, but the path is almost shut if they do not get two points. Updates suggest the moneyline spreading, and if one wants to risk the New York win in regulation at +165, that is another option we are taking Monday night.
Pick 2: New York Rangers in 60 at +165 via DraftKings
St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg Jets Best Bets
Pick 1: St. Louis and Winnipeg Under 5.5 goals at -125 via BetMGM
The St. Louis Blues keep winning, and winnings against the spread too. If one is wondering, the winning streak is now 12 games. St. Louis has a playoff spot all but wrapped up and is only five points out of the third spot in the Central Division.
That may be a stretch, but Edmonton won 16 in a row last year. Also, Winnipeg lost only once in 15 games earlier in the season. The projected matchup has Jordan Binnington facing Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck has struggled recently, losing back-to-back 4-1. Binnington, meanwhile, has won seven consecutive starts.
The Blues are now 45-33 ATS and have dropped consecutive one-goal decisions to the Jets. When does the pressure finally cause the bubble to burst? The New Jersey Devils once rode a wave like this to a division crown, while the Blues are trying to avoid one of the division winners in the playoffs.
With the recent Blues’ injury to Dylan Holloway and the hostile environment, that might slow their start.
Pick 2: Winnipeg Jets Opening 20 Three-Way at +150 via FanDuel
Seattle Kraken vs. Los Angeles Kings Picks
The short version of Seattle going to Los Angeles is this: Seattle is playing out the rest of the season, with big changes expected in the Summer. Meanwhile, the Kings are the best NHL team at home (29-4-4). Yes, Carolina has 30 home wins but eight losses, too.
Seattle has won consecutive contests, but Los Angeles gives up barely over two goals a game at home. Overall, that average is 2.49 goals per game. The Kings have won four contests in a row and still have a slight chance to catch the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights.
Again, Los Angeles has covered in six of their last seven home wins. Lay the 1.5 goals as the Kings should win by two or more goals on Monday night.
Pick: Los Angeles Kings -1.5 goals at +115 via BetMGM
