In tonight's NHL expert picks, I've found some credible moneyline and total bets as the regular season comes to an end.
Leafs vs panthers
The Game: Toronto maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers, 7:30 PM ET
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1.5 (-198) | O6.5 (+102) | +124 |
| Florida Panthers | -1.5 (+165) | U6.5 (-122) | -148 |
Pick: Toronto ML (+124)
Most teams already with a reservation to the playoffs are taking their foot off the gas a bit. I wouldn't expect that in this matchup. Here, we're getting a preview of a potential playoff matchup.
This is the final regular season outing for Florida and game No. 81 for Toronto. Neither will want to give their opponent any confidence or bragging rights heading into the postseason. A couple of weeks ago, Toronto took down Florida at Scotiabank Arena as +115 underdogs.
In fact, in nine of the last 11 matchups between these two, the 'dawgs have come out on top.
Let's not forget that Mr. Auston Matthews is one-goal shy of the coveted 70-goal mark. At +124, it's more than worth it to take a stab at the Leafs tonight.
AUSTON MATTHEWS HAS 69 GOALS! 🚨
— NHL (@NHL) April 14, 2024
📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/FmPv8M6v1l pic.twitter.com/CfYYYq9Vnh
red wings vs canadiens
The Game: Detroit Red Wings vs Montreal Canadiens, 7 pM ET
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | -1.5 (+135) | O6.5 (-105) | -170 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +1.5 (-160) | U6.5 (-115) | +142 |
Pick: O6.5 (-105)
The second of back-to-back meetings and another must-win for Detroit, which shares 89 points with Washington and a single point ahead of Pittsburgh in this tight final playoff run.
The Red Wings' last two wins have been nail-biting 5-4 victories against the Habs and Leafs. But, they are keeping their postseason chances alive. Exhaustion isn't a factor for the Red Wings, winning seven of their last eight outings following an overtime.
Clearly, Detroit's offense (3.35 GPG) and defense (3.33 GAPG) are not communicating. But, Montreal has been inconsistent all year and has nothing to play for. It shouldn't be too hard to quiet them again.
