We've got some Presidents' Day NHL expert picks for a full slate of action.
Keep in mind today's slate, including the Leafs vs Blues matchup, includes plenty of afternoon games. So, lock in your wagers early before all the pucks drop:
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Pick 1: Leafs vs Blues OVER 6.5 (-103)
I'm expecting plenty of action for this afternoon affair.
Recent play and matchup trends both scream goal-scoring, as four of the last five matchups between St. Louis and Toronto have gone OVER. As well, the Leafs are averaging five goals per game in their last five contests while the Blues are at 3.8. If these teams play up to their recent standard, this should be an easy OVER.
AUSTON MATTHEWS HAS DONE IT AGAIN 🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/ZjtKWzI9Lk
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 18, 2024
I'm also backing the red-hot Auston Matthews to score over on my Anytime Goal Scorer picks for today's action.
Pick 2: Jets -1.5 (+200) vs Flames
The Flames were red-hot for a while there, rattling off four-straight wins to open up February. But now, the trades and rumors seem to be catching up to them. After flipping Elias Lindholm to Vancouver, Calgary has now dropped three-straight games, outscored 13-3 in that time.
Players like Jacob Markstrom, Chris Tanev, and Noah Hanafin have to suit up every night not knowing if it'll be their last game with Calgary. That's gotta weigh on a player, and recently it's showed.
The Jets, on the other hand, are playing their same-old, defense-first hockey lately. They've won three-straight games, only allowing three total goals in that stretch. For a Calgary team that struggles to score on a good day, this Jets defense and goaltending is going to be a big problem.
Pick 3: Kraken ML (-145) vs Red Wings
The key to this one is Alex Lyon. The Red Wings confirmed goaltender for tonight's game is in a cold spell, allowing 11 goals against in his last two games. He hasn't allowed fewer than three goals in a contest since Jan. 27th, posting a 5.01 goals against average and .827 Sv% in February.
I don't think the Kraken are anything special, but Lyon is an easy fade for me in net right now. So, when the Red Wings confirmed him as Monday night's starter, I immediately checked to see who they were playing against.
