NHL weekly betting preview: Making adjustments as 2nd half begins

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section

Now that every NHL team has played at least 40 games this season, the first Monday of 2020 signals the start of the second half.

Meanwhile, I've evaluated our bets from the opening half of the campaign and identified strong and weak points in our approach. For instance, we've been hitting on our underdog plays at a strong rate. Moving forward, we'll focus more on those value plays - while limiting the number of favorites we back - in hopes of ensuring a profitable stretch run.

Let's kick off 2020 with a bang.

Game betting

Edmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs (Monday)

While both of these teams are certainly capable of playing run-and-gun hockey, it's not the preference for either of them. The Oilers have been the second-most-profitable under team on the road this season, while the Leafs have trended to the under on home ice since Sheldon Keefe's appointment as head coach. With a high total of 6.5, the under warrants serious consideration here.

Colorado Avalanche at New York Rangers (Tuesday)

I like the Avalanche to beat the somewhat struggling Islanders on Monday before facing the Rangers on Tuesday. However, Colorado's in the midst of a 3-9 run on the road when given no rest, with six of the last seven such contests staying under the total. The Rangers are playing just .500 hockey on home ice, but they offer great value in this spot as home 'dogs.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Vegas Golden Knights (Tuesday)

This game is part of a seven-game homestand for the Golden Knights, who've already won the first four. And Vegas has lost just once in eight attempts when playing its fifth successive home contest. Meanwhile, the Penguins are in the midst of an impressive road run, which has seen them win five of their last six away from Pittsburgh. They've been scoring a ton of goals - as have the Knights on home ice - which suggests the over is the strongest play here.

Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers (Wednesday)

The Flyers have posted an impeccable 13-2-4 record at home this season. The Capitals, once unbeatable on the road, have slipped a bit in recent weeks, losing in Boston and Carolina. This will be the second game of a back-to-back for Washington - which is playing at home on Tuesday - and when you consider the Flyers' impenetrable home form, they're certainly worth backing as 'dogs here.

Arizona Coyotes at Tampa Bay Lightning (Thursday)

Taylor Hall hasn't exactly hit the ground running with the Coyotes, scoring only twice in nine games while Arizona has posted just a 5-4 record with him in the lineup. The Lightning, meanwhile, finally seem to be figuring it out. They've won eight in a row entering this week and have shored up their defensive issues. But instead of laying a ton of juice with Tampa, consider the under 6.5 goals in a game featuring a pair of teams that have played stout defensive hockey in recent weeks.

Dallas Stars at Anaheim Ducks (Thursday)

The Stars will be decent-sized favorites when they visit California on Thursday, as they sit well ahead of the Ducks in the standings. However, the Ducks are a very different team on home ice (11-7-3) versus on the road (6-13-2). They've also won six straight over the Stars in Anaheim, holding Dallas to just nine total goals in those games, including a pair of shutouts. Ride with the Ducks as home 'dogs in this one.

Game props

Ottawa Senators at Washington Capitals (Tuesday)

You have to go all the way back to November 2013 to find the last time the Senators scored at least three goals in Washington. Ottawa has been held to two goals or fewer in its last eight visits to D.C., making its team total under 2.5 a very strong bet here.

Vancouver Canucks at Florida Panthers (Thursday)

These teams are no strangers to scoring - or allowing - early goals. The Canucks have hit the first-period over in six of their last eight on the road, while the Panthers have hit the mark in three straight at home and five of their last seven overall. So, there should be plenty of fireworks when these clubs meet in the Sunshine State; don't hesitate to back the over 1.5 goals in the first period.

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.