Friday's Best NHL Bets
By COVERS.com
Boston Bruins at Dallas Stars (-120, 5.5)
This is a classic case of two teams heading in opposite direction.
The Stars enter this contest fresh off a 6-0 blowout win over the Preds Wednesday night. Dallas displayed a balanced scoring attack with each of its top two lines finding the back of the net multiple times.
“I thought our guys were spot on early in the game, especially our top two lines,” Stars coach Marc Crawford told the Dallas Morning News. “I thought they really established their dominance in the game.”
Dallas has yet to lose a game in regulation and has outscored its opponents 14-6 over the last three games.
The Bruins, meanwhile, have looked uneven throughout their first five games. Coach Claude Julien responded by modifying his top two lines a bit (Michael Ryder and Milan Lucic switched places). Julien is confident his club doesn’t need a major shakeup yet.
“It’s just a little tweak for no other reason than to see if that will help maybe shake things up a little bit and get some attention and maybe spark something,” Julien told the Boston Globe.
The over is a sizzling option for total bettors. The Stars and Bruins have both played over the total in each of their last four games.
Pick: Over 5.5
Philadelphia Flyers at Florida Panthers (+128, 5.5)
You know it’s a bad sign when a team hopes the arrival of journeyman center Dominic Moore will ignite its offense. Unfortunately for Florida backers, that’s the situation the Panthers are in.
Florida has just six goals in its last four games, all of which ended in a loss for the club.
The Flyers are taking some time for team building activities to try and get the squad a bit closer. The team fun days continue in south Florida and shouldn’t be interrupted by the Friday game against the Panthers.
Pick: Flyers -139
ATLANTA vs. NEW JERSEY
Atlanta is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
Atlanta is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home
New Jersey is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
NY ISLANDERS vs. BUFFALO
NY Islanders are 6-15 SU in their last 21 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the NY Islanders last 10 games when playing Buffalo
Buffalo is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games at home
PHILADELPHIA vs. FLORIDA
Philadelphia is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Florida
Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 10 games at home
BOSTON vs. DALLAS
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Dallas is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Dallas is 4-1-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
MINNESOTA vs. EDMONTON
Minnesota is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Edmonton
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games at home
VANCOUVER vs. CALGARY
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Vancouver's last 9 games when playing Calgary
Vancouver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 6 games at home
Atlanta Thrashers vs. New Jersey Devils
The Atlanta Thrashers and the New Jersey Devils will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Prudential Center.
The Thrashers were doubled 4-2 by the Senators last time out, as +120 underdogs. The six goals went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Ilya Kovalchuk and Ron Hainsey scored for the Thrashers. Ondrej Pavelec stopped 30 shots in a losing cause.
Jamie Langenbrunner potted the winner in the shootout to lift the Devils past the Capitals 3-2 on Monday night.
New Jersey won as +155 road underdogs, while the teams played UNDER the 6-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
New Jersey has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 2-1-0
New Jersey: 3-2-0
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing NY Rangers are 2-8
After playing Ottawa are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Buffalo are 8-2
After playing Washington are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games on the road
Atlanta is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games
Atlanta is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
Atlanta is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Atlanta
New Jersey is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New Jersey's last 12 games at home
New Jersey is 4-8-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Next up:
Atlanta at Buffalo, Saturday, October 17
New Jersey home to Carolina, Saturday, October 17
New York Islanders vs. Buffalo Sabres
The New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at HSBC Arena.
Matt Moulson had the lone marker for New York in its 2-1 loss to Los Angeles on Monday.
Los Angeles cashed as a -110 road favorite, while the game played UNDER the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Thomas Vanek scored a pair of goals, as the Sabres handled the Red Wings 6-2 on Tuesday night.
Buffalo cashed as a -110 home pick 'em, while the teams played OVER the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
New York has lost 4 straight games.
Buffalo has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 0-1-3
Buffalo: 3-0-1
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing Los Angeles are 4-4-1
After a loss are 2-8
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the NY Islanders last 10 games when playing Buffalo
NY Islanders are 6-15 SU in their last 21 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Buffalo is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Buffalo is 8-3 SU in their last 11 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Buffalo is 15-6 SU in their last 21 games when playing NY Islanders
Next up:
NY Islanders home to San Jose, Saturday, October 17
Buffalo home to Atlanta, Saturday, October 17
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Florida Panthers
The Philadelphia Flyers and the Florida Panthers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at BankAtlantic Center.
The Flyers were defeated 3-2 by the Ducks last time out, as -150 favorites. That game's combined score went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mike Richards and Chris Pronger replied for the Flyers.
Radek Dvorak and Nathan Horton found the back of the net for Florida in its 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Monday night.
Tampa Bay cashed as -145 home favorites, while the game played UNDER the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 2 straight games.
Florida has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 3-1-1
Florida: 1-4-0
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After playing Anaheim are 6-6-3
After a loss are 6-4
Florida most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Tampa Bay are 1-9
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Florida
Philadelphia is 11-4-1 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Florida
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 8 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Florida's last 10 games at home
Florida is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Next up:
Philadelphia home to Boston, Thursday, October 22
Florida home to Buffalo, Wednesday, October 21
Boston Bruins vs. Dallas Stars
The Boston Bruins and the Dallas Stars will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at American Airlines Center.
Michael Ryder had a goal and an assist for Boston in its 4-3 loss to Colorado on Monday.
Colorado won as +220 road underdogs, while the game played OVER the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Marty Turco stopped all 29 shots and the Stars scored four times in the first period en route to a 6-0 rout of the Predators on Wednesday, as -160 favorites. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Brenden Morrow and Loui Eriksson scored a pair of goals for the Stars, while singles came off the sticks of Brad Richards and Toby Petersen.
Team records:
Boston: 2-3-0
Dallas: 2-0-3
Boston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-3-2
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Colorado are 4-4-1
After a loss are 7-3
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-3-1
Before playing Los Angeles are 2-8
After playing Nashville are 4-6
After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Dallas is 4-1-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Dallas's last 23 games at home
Next up:
Boston at Phoenix, Saturday, October 17
Dallas at Chicago, Saturday, October 17
Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames
The fans at Pengrowth Saddledome will be treated to a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames when they take their seats on Friday.
The Canucks defeated Dallas 4-3 in a shootout as a -145 favorite on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Mikael Samuelsson and Henrik Sedin each had a pair of assists for the Canucks, while Alex Burrows netted his third goal of the season.
Curtis Glencross potted the lone marker for Calgary in its 2-1 loss to Columbus on Tuesday night.
Columbus won as -140 home favorites, while the teams played UNDER the 5.5-goal total posted by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Vancouver has won 2 straight games.
Calgary has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Vancouver: 2-3-0
Calgary: 4-2-1
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 10-0
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a win are 8-2
Calgary most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Los Angeles are 4-6
After playing Columbus are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Vancouver's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Vancouver's last 9 games when playing Calgary
Vancouver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Vancouver is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Calgary's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Calgary's last 9 games when playing Vancouver
Calgary is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
Vancouver home to Minnesota, Saturday, October 17
Calgary home to Columbus, Tuesday, October 20
Minnesota Wild vs. Edmonton Oilers
The division rival Minnesota Wild and Edmonton Oilers are set to renew hostilities on Friday when they meet at Rexall Place.
The Wild were defeated 3-2 by the Ducks last time out, as +135 underdogs. The five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Eric Belanger and Andrew Brunette replied for the Wild, and Niklas Backstrom made 32 saves in the loss.
The Blackhawks gave up a late goal and held on for a 4-3 victory over the Oilers on Wednesday, as -175 favorites. The game's seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Patrick Sharp, Jack Skille, Kris Versteeg, and Cam Barker scored in that win.
Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 1-4-0
Edmonton: 3-2-1
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Anaheim are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Chicago are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games at home
Edmonton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Edmonton is 6-10-2 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at Vancouver, Saturday, October 17
Edmonton home to Vancouver, Monday, October 19
ATLANTA at NEW JERSEY
ATLANTA: 15-24 SU after playing BB road games
NEW JERSEY: 11-1 SU after playing 3 consecutive road games
NY ISLANDERS at BUFFALO
NY ISLANDERS: 5-13 SU when playing with 3 or more days rest
BUFFALO: 10-5 SU as a home favorite of -200 to -300
PHILADELPHIA at FLORIDA
PHILADELPHIA: 8-2 SU AWAY on Friday nights
FLORIDA: 8-18 SU at home after allowing 3+ goals in BB games
BOSTON at DALLAS
BOSTON: 30-12 SU in first half of the season
DALLAS: 5-15 SU off a home win
MINNESOTA at EDMONTON
MINNESOTA: 18-11 SU after playing 3 consecutive road games
EDMONTON: 7-16 SU at home after 1+ consecutive overs
VANCOUVER at CALGARY
VANCOUVER: 33-23 SU AWAY on Friday nights
CALGARY: 3-8 SU on Friday nights