NHL Tuesday betting preview: League's hottest teams clash in Pittsburgh

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We had to settle for a 2-2 Monday night - 3-2 if you tailed the Columbus Blue Jackets' team total under - but a win for the Calgary Flames helped us improve to 5-2 in the last seven days with our best bets.

Let's keep it going Tuesday.

GOATs and scapegoats

The Flames had the power play working and Milan Lucic was a big part of that. He started the scoring during the opening frame for his first of three points on the night to help both his team pick up the win and us cash in on our best bet.

We needed that boost, too, because Pekka Rinne was of absolutely no help. Nothing kills an under quite like four goals on 14 shots. Thanks, Pekka.

Tuesday bets

Chicago Blackhawks (+110)

I had the Blackhawks circled in this one before the news of Connor McDavid's extended absence, so it becomes an even easier decision now to fade the Edmonton Oilers without their captain. Chicago has won eight of its last 11 on the road and three of four in Edmonton but continues to be undervalued by oddsmakers. Playing catchup in the wild-card race, this is a huge game for the Blackhawks against an Oilers team that's inconsistent on home ice - it's won five of its last seven at Rogers Place after losing eight of 10 before that.

Dallas Stars (-130)

I told you a few weeks ago to buy low on the Stars and said the same thing Friday about the Carolina Hurricanes. I think we'll see both of these teams playing deep into the spring, and it'll be fascinating to watch them square off tonight in Dallas. Carolina has won back-to-back games on the road after dropping five in a row, but the Stars are a different beast on home ice. While the Hurricanes have been scoring a lot of goals, they've also been allowing them in bunches. Carolina can't go into Dallas and hope to simply outscore its opponent. Expect the Stars to build off their win Saturday in St. Louis and end a mini-slump at American Airlines Center.

Best bet

Pittsburgh Penguins (-110)

I love what the Penguins did in trading for Jason Zucker, who's an excellent player and a great fit on the wing alongside either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh is almost flying under the radar in what is an especially strong Eastern Conference, but it has the NHL's second-best record since the start of December, just a hair behind the Tampa Bay Lightning's.

This should be a great game and possible Eastern Conference Final preview, which I'd typically just sit back and enjoy. However, fatigue will likely play a role for the Lightning, who were pushed to the brink Monday night in their overtime win against the Blue Jackets. This isn't an ideal situation away to the Penguins, who have won 12 of their last 15 on home ice and five of their last six games at home to Tampa.

Trend of the night

The Philadelphia Flyers have scored at least three goals in each of their last nine road games against the New York Islanders.

The last time they failed to do so was in November 2015. The Flyers have also won three of their last four on the road after winning just two of their previous 10, and have scored at least three goals in five straight road affairs. You have to lay -130 to get it, but over 2.5 on the Flyers' team total seems a strong play tonight.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.