We've got three NHL expert picks for three different games on the schedule tonight. I'm sorry about all of you on the East Coast but these games have later start times. We've got to show some love to our friends out West.
Game 1: Blue Jackets vs Ducks
The Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Anaheim Ducks, 10 PM ET
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Jackets | +1.5 (-205) | O6.5 (-122) | +114 |
| Ducks | -1.5 (+170) | U6.5 (+102) | -135 |
Pick: Ducks ML (-135)
Look, I know the Ducks are bad. Like really bad. But they've won two of their last three at home, only losing to the Edmonton Oilers (more on them later). And the NHL has home-side bias baked into the rulebook. So the advantage should always go to the home team. Unless the visiting side is way higher up the standings.
That's obviously not the case with Columbus. CBJ has two more points in the standings than the Ducks, so they're just as bad. And Columbus enters the contest on the second leg of a back-to-back. The Jackets are 1-4SU in that context. Ducks win.
Game 2: Maple Leafs vs Coyotes
The Game: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Arizona Coyotes, 10 PM ET
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Leafs | -1.5 (+120) | O6.5 (-125) | -205 |
| Coyotes | +1.5 (-142) | U6.5 (+105) | +170 |
Pick: Coyotes ML +170
Since 2018, the Coyotes have held a 3-1SU record when at home against the Leafs. And look, the Leafs might be -205 road favorites tonight, but they aren't convincing when heavy road favs. This season, they hold a 3-2SU record.
Toronto has been a -200 road favorite (or lower) twice against the Yotes since 2018-19. They've lost both of those games. I'm hoping to profit big on what seems like a banana skin game for the Leafs.
Game 3: Bruins vs Oilers
The Game: Boston Bruins vs Edmonton Oilers, 10 PM ET
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bruins | +1.5 (-218) | O6.5 (+100) | +124 |
| Oilers | -1.5 (+180) | U6.5 (-120) | -148 |
Pick: UNDER 6.5 (-120)
I'm taking the UNDER in this game. Mainly because the Oilers have done an excellent job at keeping the puck out of their own net. In their last seven home games, they've seen the total go UNDER six times with 1.6 goals against per game.
I'd be worried about that take if the Bruins were some sort of OVERS machine on the road, but they aren't. Boston's O/U record on the road this year is 14-12-2. Focus on their last 10, it's 5-5. Their last five? That's a 3-2 record. I feel safe in taking the UNDER tonight.
