NHL Betting Guide: Tuesday 11/30/21
We've got eight games on this Tuesday evening, so let's see what bets are showing some value tonight.
Please note that lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. Please check here to make sure you're seeing the most updated information.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Dallas Stars
Carolina Moneyline (-108) 1-Star Rating Out of 5
The Carolina Hurricanes have a case to be considered the best team in the NHL at the moment. They have picked up 77.5% of the points available to them in their games played so far this season. Their goal difference is the third best in the league. They are in a tricky spot on Tuesday, but it's certainly something they can handle.
Carolina heads to Texas to face the Dallas Stars. Dallas had a rough start to the season but have been better of late, winning their last four games. They do have some concerning underlying metrics, however. They struggle to create much offense at five-on-five, ranking as the ninth-worst team in expected goals per 60 minutes and the third-worst in actual goals per 60.
The line only favors Carolina slightly probably because of two absences. The Canes will be without defensemen Brett Pesce and Tony DeAngelo due to COVID protocols. They had already missed Pesce for five games earlier this season and were able to beat the likes of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, and St. Louis Blues without him. Brendan Smith and Ian Cole will move up in the lineup to eat some of the minutes left from these two, and they are both experienced veteran defensemen.
Carolina is likely to start Frederik Andersen in net, and he's been one of the best goalies in the league. He ranks third in goals saved above expected this season. Against a Dallas team that normally has trouble scoring goals, he should be rock solid in goal tonight.
The Hurricanes being just a -108 makes them a great bet tonight, as both our model and the statistics say.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville Predators
Nashville Moneyline (-162) 1-Star Rating Out of 5
This is a game between two teams who have a lot of similarities. They both sold off some pieces in the offseason and seemed like they were taking a step back this season. Both of these teams are hovering around the middle of the pack in the league, but the Nashville Predators should have the advantage tonight.
Nashville is often lacking firepower on offense, but they got a big boost last week. Filip Forsberg returned to the lineup and has two goals and two assists in the three games since being back. Add that to Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen both having renaissance seasons and Mikael Granlund also putting up points, and suddenly this forward group looks deep.
This now productive forward group faces a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has been overperforming defensively. They allow the third-most shot attempts and third-most expected goals per 60 minutes. They've been able to skate by through Elvis Merzlikins, but it's tough to keep relying on a goalie to play this well when he's seeing so many chances against him.
Meanwhile, Nashville has a star goalie of their own in Juuse Saros. We saw last year that he is capable of stealing games for his team. It's unlikely that such a performance will be needed against Columbus, but just knowing that he's capable of that is a boost to our confidence in this bet.
Nashville is a better team by most metrics and should be able to win this game at home tonight.
