Tuesday’s NHL schedule features a several important games for teams hoping to make the NHL playoffs. Check out today’s NHL odds, prediction and best bet for Tuesday, April 4th before you place your wagers.
NHL Schedule Breakdown
The following table highlights tired spots and/or days’ rest.
|
Rest
|
Visitor
|
Home
|
Rest
|
|
3/4
|
CBJ
|
TOR
|
3/4
|
|
3/4
|
OTT
|
CAR
|
3/4
|
|
3/4
|
PIT
|
NJD
|
3/4
|
|
3/4
|
PHI
|
STL
|
3/4
|
|
2
|
EDM
|
LAK
|
3/4
|
|
4/6
|
DET
|
MTL
|
2
|
|
2
|
BUF
|
FLA
|
2
|
|
2
|
COL
|
SJS
|
2
|
|
2
|
CHI
|
CGY
|
1
|
|
0
|
SEA
|
VAN
|
1
|
|
0
|
VGK
|
NSH
|
0
|
Saturday’s NHL Odds and Best Bets via DraftKings
- Pittsburgh Penguins (+140) at New Jersey Devils (-165)
- Ottawa Senators (+220) at Carolina Hurricanes (-260)
- Columbus Blue Jackets (+300) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-365)
- Buffalo Sabres (+160) at Florida Panthers (-190)
- Detroit Red Wings (-120) at Montreal Canadiens (EVEN)
- Philadelphia Flyers (+120) at St. Louis Blues (-140)
- Vegas Golden Knights (-125) at Nashville Predators (+105)
- Chicago Blackhawks (+350) at Calgary Flames (-435)
- Seattle Kraken (-115) at Vancouver Canucks (-105)
- Colorado Avalanche (-230) at San Jose Sharks (+195)
- Edmonton Oilers (-120) at Los Angeles Kings (EVEN)
Visit VSiN NHL Odds to see the full board.
Today’s Best NHL Bets and More
I only have one bet currently, but it’s interesting card, nonetheless. Let’s get into it:
Colorado Avalanche (-230) at San Jose Sharks (+195)
San Jose has won three games in a row but that streak likely comes to an end on Tuesday when they host the defending Stanley Cup champions, who should be well rested (the Avalanche have played two games in the last seven days) even though they’ve played 17 games since the beginning of March. San Jose ranks 27th in expected goals percentage over the last month and when these two teams met in Colorado on March 7th, the Avalanche controlled 78 percent of the expected goals at even strength on their way to beating the Sharks 6-0 and they’re a good bet to cover the puck line again.
This game will be played at the Shark Tan, of course, but that shouldn’t matter because the Sharks are the worst home team in the NHL with an 8-30 record straight up and as bad as James Reimer has been, Kaapo Kakhonen has been worse, and he’ll be between the pipes on Tuesday. Kakhonen ranks third-last in GSAx (goals saved above expected) year-to-date and only one goaltender has been worse in that category since the start of March. Meanwhile, only three teams have scored goals at a higher rate than Colorado has during that stretch and +115 available at DraftKings is a generous price on a bet that should resemble a coin flip.
Bet: Colorado Avalanche (Puck Line) +115 (one unit)
Chicago Blackhawks (+350) at Calgary Flames (-435)
Chicago is in a battle with teams like Anaheim and Columbus to finish dead last in the NHL and this is the third time this season that they’ve lost eight games in a row while being outscored 37-13. Calgary, on the other hand, is riding a season-high, four game winning streak in a fight to make the playoffs. The Flames lost 5-1 to the Blackhawks in Calgary back on January 26th (Patrick Kane was not in the lineup then, either) after losing 4-3 in Chicago on January 8th.
The Flames have underperformed against rebuilding teams all season, but if they can win on Tuesday, it will set up an eighth-place showdown for Wednesday in Winnipeg against the Jets. Winnipeg is just two points up on Calgary, but a win here would give the Flames a chance to be in sole possession of the final wild card spot. Not much interest in this matchup from a betting perspective, but I do hope Calgary wins to add some intrigue the race and potentially create a play-in scenario.
Buffalo Sabres (+160) at Florida Panthers (-190)
Sabres’ leading scorer Tage Thompson was a full participant in Monday’s practice and that means he’ll likely play on Tuesday when the team travel to Florida to take on the Panthers. Florida can reclaim the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with a win over the Sabres, who are on life support four points back of Florida, and five points behind Pittsburgh.
Rookie Devon Levi, who impressed in his debut, is an option for Buffalo in goal, but it’s unclear who will start for the Sabres. However, Alex Lyon, the undrafted 30-year-old who has started the last three games for the Panthers, will be in goal again against the Sabres. Lyon has won three in a row and has stopped the last 77 of 81 shots.
Edmonton Oilers (-120) at Los Angeles Kings (EVEN)
Kings’ forward Kevin Fiala has missed eight of the last 11 games and he was not in the lineup when the team lost to the Oilers last week. Fiala, along with forward Gabriel Vilardi are both listed day-to-day. Defenseman Mikey Anderson is also out after being hit from behind by Connor McDavid. The Oilers will play in Anaheim on Wednesday, but I would think Stuart Skinner will be in goal for this game considering he just shut Los Angeles out the last time he started.
Vegas Golden Knights (-125) at Nashville Predators (+105)
Both teams played on Monday. Nashville lost 5-1 to the Stars in Dallas, while Vegas won in a shootout, 4-3 in Minnesota. The Predators are still hoping to make the push into a playoff spot, but a tough schedule stands in their way, and they started Juuse Saros on Monday. Kevin Lankinen isn’t Saros, but he’s been good (.917 save percentage) this season and gives the Predators a chance against Jonathan Quick and the Golden Knights. Still, it’s unclear whether Roman Josi or any other injured players (Matt Duchene) will be back in the Nashville lineup on Tuesday.
All bets tracked via third part app Betstamp.