In today’s betting guide, we take a look at two of the earlier games on the schedule. First, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers both look to bounce back and keep higher playoff seeding, while the hot Tampa Bay Lightning take on the banged-up Columbus Blue Jackets.
Pittsburgh Penguins (-155) vs Edmonton Oilers (+125)
PIT: 45-24-11, 3.29 GF/GP, 2.68 GA/GP, L10: 4-5-1
EDM: 46-27-6, 3.46 GF/GP, 3.09 GA/GP, L10: 7-2-1
Both the Penguins and the Oilers are coming off disappointing defeats against non-playoff teams. The Penguins dropped their previous game 4-1 vs. the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Oilers blew a third period lead against the Blue Jackets that ended 5-2.
The only game this season that the teams have matched up for went to the Oilers 5-2 in Edmonton. It shouldn’t be as easy for the Oilers to repeat that success in Pittsburgh as the Oilers are stronger in their home arena and these teams always play each other hard. It is always an exciting game when Connor McDavid battles Sidney Crosby.
The Penguins should call upon Casey DeSmith once again as Tristan Jarry remains out. DeSmith hasn’t been bad, but the Oilers have been scoring at will and are looking to stay hot heading into the playoffs. The Penguins are just holding onto third place in their division in hopes of staying out of the final wild card spot and having to play the Florida Panthers. Mike Smith should draw back in as he’s 9-1-0 with a .949 save percentage since turning 40 years old. It will be hard to cool him off and the Oilers seem very confident playing in front of him right now. Take the Oilers as the team to bounce back and the under (U6.5, +105) for great value.
Tampa Bay Lightning (-350) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (+275)
TB: 49-22-8, 3.46 GF/GP, 2.76 GA/GP, L10: 6-3-1
CBJ: 36-36-7, 3.15 GF/GP, 3.62 GA/GP, L10: 4-4-2
The Lightning seem like the obvious choice in this one, and that’s because they have a clear advantage in every regard. The Blue Jackets have Patrik Laine, Zach Werenski, Boone Jenner, and Adam Boqvist injured and have suffered for it, losing four of the past five before a win in their previous game.
The Lightning are heating up once again at the right time and will be going for win number 50 tonight against a banged-up team fighting to stay above .500 on the season. They have won five of their past six games and averaged six goals a game over that stretch. They are firing on all cylinders and there is a very slim chance this game doesn’t hit the over as well. Take the Lightning and consider parlaying it with the over (O6.5, -115) for better value.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
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