NHL Betting Guide: Tuesday 4/5/22
It’s a good night to be a hockey fan, with 10 games on Tuesday and some really interesting matchups that we can bet.
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 Buffalo Sabres
Under 6.5 (-122): 2-Star Rating Out of 5
The Carolina Hurricanes are certainly one of the best teams in hockey. They are third in the NHL in points percentage currently. They aren't exactly a perfect team though, which we can use to our advantage.
Their opponents will be the Buffalo Sabres. Things haven't exactly gone well for Buffalo this season -- but not as poorly as most people thought they would. They are a respectable 5-2-3 in their last 10 games and are above two teams in their division.
There aren't many areas in which Buffalo rates better than Carolina, but they do is in goals per game since March 1st. The Canes' offense has dried up, and they are the seventh-worst team in goals per game in that span. While the Sabres are better, they still aren't great, ranking 20th in goals per game.
The Hurricanes still play elite defense like they have all season. They've allowed the fewest goals against per game in this stretch. Both Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta have been solid in goal, so whichever goalie they choose won't hurt the under here.
The more surprising thing would be the Sabres' defense over the last month and change. Buffalo ranks the second-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes since March 1st.
The perception of these two teams is different from what the recent numbers are telling us. Most think of Buffalo as being horrible and Carolina being a high-flying offense. Both of those things aren't really the case, and it leads to the under being a solid wager tonight.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Philadelphia Flyers
Columbus (+114): 1-Star Rating Out of 5
The Columbus Blue Jackets are highly unlikely to make the playoffs, but this is definitely a year they can build on. They were expected to be a true rebuilding team but instead have fought their way to respectability this season. They definitely have some talented pieces they can build their team around.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers seem to have bottomed out. This is their second consecutive disappointing season after they went into the 2020 postseason as the top overall seed. In 2022, the Flyers have the worst points percentage in the league.
The Blue Jackets just held their own for over 60 minutes against the Boston Bruins last night. This line may be harsher on Columbus since they are on the second night of a back-to-back, but Philly is also playing their third game in four nights, which is nearly as difficult.
The Flyers caught heat this weekend when they scratched Keith Yandle, ending his consecutive game streak. They are in true evaluation mode with this season being a lost cause, and they have been giving young players a chance to play.
The good news? It doesn't look like they will try anyone else in net and stick with one of the worst goalie duos in the NHL.
Columbus looks to be trying a bit more than the Flyers are at the moment. They also have some elite shooters in Patrik Laine and Oliver Bjorkstrand that can help win a tight game -- even if they lose the possession battle. They also had to play some games with top defenseman Zach Werenski lately, but he returned last night with a great effort (a goal and six shots).
Our model gives Columbus just over a 50% chance of winning outright at 46.7% implied odds, making them a good underdog to back tonight.
