The NHL schedule ramps up for a large Thursday night slate. Hockey bettors and fans are getting ready to enjoy nine games set for puck drop this evening, and several feature significant playoff implications.
Last night, we cashed in on the Chicago Blackhawks, getting 1.5 goals at +145 odds. An exciting Thursday night of pro hockey action awaits, so make sure to read up on these NHL betting picks for wagering on April 3rd games.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Colorado Avalanche Picks
The Columbus Blue Jackets are fighting for their playoff lives, while the Colorado Avalanche will not miss the playoffs. Colorado comes off a 3-2 SO win over Chicago on Wednesday night. MacKenzie Blackwood will start for the Avalanche versus Elvis Merzlikins from Columbus.
The numbers are tilted here, with Columbus listed as a +130 underdog to win. The Blue Jackets are 22-9-5 at home, while Colorado is 21-15-1 on the road. That may be why Colorado is still favored despite playing on the back end of a back-to-back.
Columbus is 44-29 ATS, and Merzlikins has won his last three starts. The Blue Jackets are a streaky team but much better at home (26-10 against the puck line). Unfortunately, a tilted puck line for the underdog is out. However, Columbus’s urgency makes them the pick to defend their home ice and win on Thursday night.
Pick: Take Columbus on the Moneyline at +130 via FanDuel
Los Angeles Kings vs. Utah Hockey Club Picks
Los Angeles rolls in on the high of defeating league-best Winnipeg with ease on Tuesday night. The Kings are a league-best 28-4-4 at home, but this is a road game on Thursday night. Utah started their homestand with three disastrous losses but have rebounded with consecutive victories.
Overall, Utah is 5-5 in their last 10 games ATS. As for Los Angeles, the Kings are 14-19-5 on the road and 7-3 ATS with two losses to Minnesota and Colorado away from home. Darcy Kuemper playing against one of his former teams saw him give up three goals in a win last month.
The difference for Utah is this. Utah is first trying to clinch a .500 season while staying on the extreme perimeter of the playoff hunt. The Kings’ last four road losses have been by two or more goals. Placing regulation into the mix leads us to our next pick. Take Utah to win in regulation on Thursday night.
Pick: Utah in regulation at +170 via DraftKings
Winnipeg Jets vs. Vegas Golden Knights Picks
The game of the night features the Winnipeg Jets and the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas is eight points out of the conference lead, but five points up in the Pacific Division. The division is more vital, but a win against Winnipeg would put more seeds of doubt into the Jets.
Vegas came home after six straight victories against the spread and naturally lost to Edmonton (without Connor McDavid). Winnipeg had won three consecutive games at home before going on the road. Naturally, the Jets gave up two early goals in Los Angeles en route to a 4-1 defeat.
Again, the Golden Knights are 6-1 ATS over their past seven contests. They have also defeated Winnipeg twice this season, both by one goal. Adin Hill has won five of his past six starts. Connor Hellebuyck has lost his last four decisions against Vegas.
It’s not exactly going out on a limb to pick the Golden Knights to bounce back with a big home win, but it’s a bit bolder to take them to cover the spread at +205.
Pick: Vegas (-1.5 goals) at +205 via Caesars
