Saturday night is hockey night in Canada and there are plenty of exciting games on North American television as a result. There are 10 games scheduled for October 30th and with the majority of the teams in the NHL playing, there are many intriguing bets. Some of the matchups provide excellent odds and could provide great payouts in the process.
Under 5.5 – Nashville Predators Vs. New York Islanders
| Predators stat line | 2.86 goals per game | 2.86 goals against per game |
| Islanders stat line | 2.50 goals per game | 2.50 goals against per game |
Both the Islanders and Predators haven’t played in several days and it’s easy to think that the two offenses will step up as a result. However, these two teams are led by their defenses and goaltenders and both units should control the game as a result. The Predators can eliminate the Islanders forwards from establishing an offensive zone presence with defensemen Roman Josi and Dante Fabbro in particular, creating turnovers at the blue line and forcing tough shots on the net which will allow Juuse Saros to have an excellent game in the net. The Islanders meanwhile should eliminate and potentially shut out the Predators with their deep defensive unit controlling all three zones and the team getting back star goaltender, Semyon Varlamov, back in the net for the upcoming game for his first start of the season.
The Under will cover in a game controlled by both defense and two of the best goaltenders in the game.
Montreal Canadiens (+105) Vs. Los Angeles Kings
| Canadiens stat line | 1.88 goals per game | 3.13 goals against per game |
| Kings stat line | 2.29 goals per game | 3.29 goals against per game |
Both the Canadiens and the Kings have struggled to start the season, leaving a lot of uncertainty about which team can have a breakout game. The Canadiens, however, are coming off a statement 4-0 win over the San Jose Sharks and a similar blueprint from that victory will translate to success in the upcoming game. The Canadiens will look to fire shots off from the point with defensemen Jeff Petry and Alexander Romanov shooting the puck through traffic while forwards Mike Hoffman and Tyler Toffoli will find shots near the net against a struggling Kings defense.
On the other end of the ice, the Canadiens look to eliminate and potentially shut out the Kings with Petry, Romanov, Brett Kulak, and the rest of the defensive unit stepping up and creating turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone alike. In addition, goaltender Jake Allen is having a strong start to the season with a .913 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average on 208 shots and looks to continue to play well in the net and blank most if not all of the Kings shots on the net.
The Canadiens will win the game and continue to build momentum on the road.
Pittsburgh Penguins (-145) Vs. New Jersey Devils
| Penguins stat line | 3.43 goals per game | 2.86 goals against per game |
| Devils stat line | 2.80 goals per game | 3.00 goals against per game |
The Penguins are coming off a tough loss but have played well to start the season with one of the best records in the Metropolitan Division to start the season and look to take advantage of a Devils team that they outmatch on both ends of the ice. The Penguins will pile on the goals against a Devils defense that continues to play poorly with Jake Geuntzel, Bryan Rust, and the rest of the forwards using their speed skating to find scoring chances on the odd-man rush and easy shots on the net from the wings. Defensively, the Penguins look to eliminate and potentially shut out a Devils offense that is without their best player in Jack Hughes and is struggling to replace his talent. The Penguins will turn to John Marino and Mike Matheson to create turnovers in the defensive zone and force tough shots on the goal while goaltender Tristan Jarry continues to play well in the net.
The Penguins will win this game at home and overwhelm the Devils on both ends of the ice.
Minnesota Wild (+145) Vs. Colorado Avalanche
| Wild stat line | 3.00 goals per game | 3.14 goals against per game |
| Avalanche stat line | 2.71 goals per game | 3.71 goals against per game |
The Avalanche won the Presidents’ Trophy last season with the best record in the NHL and are expected to improve from a slow start. The problem is that they are facing a Wild team that has played well on both ends of the ice and have been one of the best teams in the league to start the season. The Wild looks to limit the Avalanche offense with Mathew Dumba, Jonas Brodin, and the rest of the Wild defensive unit taking advantage of a top-heavy Avalanche forwards unit while Cam Talbot has a great game in the net and blanks most of the shots on the goal.
The Wild offense meanwhile, looks to constantly find the back of the net with Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov beating the Avalanche defensemen with speed and creating an offensive zone presence as a result. In addition, the Wild forward unit, along with defenseman Dumba from the point, can find open shots and the goals and the back of the net against Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper who has struggled early on this season.
The Wild will win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Calgary Flames (-160) Vs. Philadelphia Flyers
| Flames stat line | 3.57 goals per game | 2.14 goals against per game |
| Flyers stat line | 4.17 goals per game | 2.67 goals against per game |
The Flames return home after a remarkable road trip where they won all five road games. The Flames will face a tired Flyers team that is in the midst of a West Coast road trip and the Flames can find plenty of favorable matchups in the upcoming game as well. The Flames will continue to play incredible defense and eliminate the Flyers forwards with Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin, in particular, stepping up at the blue line and making it difficult to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. Moreover, Jacob Markstrom is having a great season as the Flames starting goaltender with a .952 save percentage and a 1.59 goals-against average on 166 shots and looks to dominate against an exhausted Flyers forward unit.
On the other end of the ice, the Flames look to take advantage of the inconsistent Flyers defensive unit with Johnny Gaudreau creating scoring opportunities on the odd-man rush and by carrying the puck into the offensive zone. The Flames will also find the back of the net with strong puck movement in the offensive zone led by forwards Elias Lindholm and Blake Coleman.
The Flames will win the game with a strong performance at home.
Over 6.5 Edmonton Oilers Vs. Vancouver Canucks
| Oilers stat line | 4.33 goals per game | 3.00 goals against per game |
| Canucks stat line | 2.50 goals per game | 2.75 goals against per game |
The Oilers and the Canucks enter this game after struggling on the offensive end of the ice. In addition to hoping to bounce back, the Canucks and Oilers will both exploit mismatches on the ice in their opponent’s defenses. The Canuck look to find the back of the net a few times with JT Miller, Conor Garland, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net and finding open ice against a struggling oilers defensive unit while defenseman Quinn Hughes continues to create for the point. The oilers meanwhile, should run up the score with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl creating scoring chances on the odd-man rush while also finding open skaters in the offensive zone as the two world-class scorers draw the Canucks defensemen and open up the ice.
The Over will cover the high total with both offenses controlling this game from the opening puck drop.
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