NHL Thursday betting preview: Expect Flames to stay hot in Music City
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Wednesday's small slate produced a 1-1 night for us, but we have a lot more to pick from on Thursday and I'm feeling good about this card.
Here's to a big night.
GOATs and scapegoats
Pavel Francouz had himself a night on Wednesday. His 31 saves, including some big ones late in the game, helped us cash the under in Colorado, but we were undone shortly after by another goaltender.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves for his third shutout of the month as the Edmonton Oilers failed to score at least three goals in the second leg of a back-to-back for the first time all season. Terrible timing.
Thursday bets
Chicago Blackhawks/Tampa Bay Lightning under 6.5 (-110)
The Lightning uncharacteristically allowed four goals at home to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, bringing an end to their incredibly lengthy winning streak at Amalie Arena. Expect a spirited response tonight, especially on the back end. Before Tuesday, the Lightning had held opponents to two or fewer goals in seven of their last nine home contests. Furthermore, in five games at home against Western Conference teams in 2020, the Lightning have allowed just eight goals.
While they might not score much, the Blackhawks should also be able to limit the damage at their own end. They've won six straight away against Eastern Conference teams and are on a 6-2 run to the under in that spot. This total feels like an overreaction to Tuesday night, when Chicago lost 6-5 in St. Louis.
Dallas Stars/Boston Bruins over 5 (-130)
I'm not surprised by this total given both teams' abilities to keep pucks out of their nets this season, but that hasn't been the case of late. The Bruins have allowed four or more goals in eight of their last 11 home games against Western Conference teams, while the Stars have given up at least three goals in six of their last nine away to Eastern Conference opponents.
Meanwhile, Dallas has scored at least three goals in 10 straight road games against East teams (and in eight straight away contests regardless of the opponent), while Boston has scored at least four goals in six of its last eight games on home ice.
This total is a full goal too low.
Best bet
Calgary Flames (+115)
Following an impressive win in Boston on Tuesday, the Flames will head to Music City to take on the Nashville Predators. This game has massive wild-card implications, as these two teams are holding the wild-card berths in an awfully congested Western Conference.
Injuries have decimated the Flames at the back end, but they've continued to excel away from home. Calgary's won six of its last seven on the road and 14 of its last 18. Not only that, but the Flames are on a 10-2 run away to Western Conference teams and have won eight of their last nine games in Nashville.
The Predators are coming off back-to-back wins - albeit against the Ottawa Senators and the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets - but they've also won just four of their last 12 home games against Western Conference foes. Trust the Flames to continue their road dominance.
Trend of the night
The New York Islanders, who will be at Enterprise Center tonight for a date with the St. Louis Blues, have scored 10 goals in their last 10 road games against Western Conference teams. The Islanders are also 10-1 to the under this season away to Western Conference opponents and have lost nine of their last 10.
New York's team total under 2.5 is listed at -140, and while that's worth the juice, you should also consider the under 1.5 at +220 and the Islanders to score exactly one goal at +275.
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.