NHL weekend betting preview: Leafs, Sharks aim to stop the bleeding
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Can you believe it's already November? The first month of the NHL season absolutely flew by, and now we have a big enough sample size to really get a good feel for what to expect from teams on a nightly basis.
Here's your guide to betting the first weekend of November games:
Game betting
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders (Friday)
This will be the third game in four nights for the Lighting away from home. They've played things closer to the vest in this situation in the past, allowing just six goals in their last six games in this spot, while allowing two or fewer in 13 of their last 15. They tend not to score a ton either, with those games averaging 4.33 total goals. The Islanders play good defensive hockey on home ice as well, so look for this game to go under the current total of six.
Winnipeg Jets at San Jose Sharks (Friday)
San Jose has played nine of its first 13 games on the road and is off to a miserable start. The Sharks should be playing with plenty of urgency after returning from their east coast trip as they battle a Jets team that has struggled on defense. San Jose absolutely needs this game and the intensity should reflect that. Back them at a relatively short price.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Philadelphia Flyers (Saturday)
Both teams should play with some desperation here - the Leafs are losers of four of their last five, and the Flyers are losers of two straight. Philadelphia has been excellent at home this season, scoring in bunches and winning three of four, while Toronto has been uninspiring on the road. The Flyers have not lost at home to the Leafs since the 2015-16 season, a streak that should continue here.
St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild (Saturday)
The Wild have been one of the more disappointing teams through the season's first month, but playing nine of their first 13 games on the road, especially for a team that typically thrives at home, isn't a winning recipe. Minnesota has won all three of its home games over the past two weeks and we should get them at a great price here as likely underdogs. After losing 2-1 to the Blues on Wednesday in St. Louis, the Wild look to return the favor Saturday night.
Colorado Avalanche at Arizona Coyotes (Saturday)
After allowing just six goals through its first four home games, Arizona lost 4-1 to Montreal on Wednesday. The Coyotes, winners of six of their last eight, will have two days off to get set for a visit from the Avalanche, who play the night before in Colorado and will be without stars Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen. The Avs have lost their last five games on the road after playing at home the previous night. The Yotes are certainly worth backing in this spot at a likely short price.
Chicago Blackhawks at Anaheim Ducks (Sunday)
Facing John Gibson in the second game of a back-to-back away from home will not help Chicago solve its scoring issues. The Blackhawks are in Los Angeles on Saturday night for a game they should win before flying to Anaheim to play Sunday. They've been shut out in their only two road games so far this season (Saturday's result pending) and should have an equally tough time scoring against the Ducks, who continue to impress. Back Anaheim to close out the weekend with a win.
Game props
Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals (Friday)
Two of the Eastern Conference's best teams through October meet in Washington as the Capitals host the Sabres. Buffalo's firepower has dried up a bit over the past week, and while this is a talented team, regression is inevitable. The Sabres have scored just 15 goals in their last nine visits to Washington, so look to play their team total under 2.5.
Montreal Canadiens at Dallas Stars (Saturday)
Carey Price will return for the Canadiens, who play their third game in four nights amidst a Western Conference road trip. Coach Claude Julien will put an emphasis on a strong defensive game, which falls right in line with how the Stars have been playing. The first period under 1.5 goals seems like a strong situational play.
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes (Saturday)
The Devils haven't done much winning this season, nor have they been able to score away from home. The team has just two goals in their three away games and visit a Hurricanes club that's allowed just six goals in their last four home contests. Until New Jersey proves it can score away from home, continue profiting with the under on their team total.
Player props
Winnipeg Jets at San Jose Sharks (Friday)
Evander Kane has been a power-play specialist for the Sharks this season and, in what should be a high-scoring game, has a great opportunity to add to his goal tally against the league's worst penalty kill.
Chicago Blackhawks at Los Angeles Kings (Saturday)
The Kings have allowed at least five goals in each of their last four games and have allowed a league-high 54 tallies this season. Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome were outstanding in a 5-1 win over Los Angeles last week, each recording three points, and should have their way again on Saturday. Back either to score, but my money is on DeBrincat.
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.