NHL Thursday best bets: Islanders to best undermanned Bruins
Our best bets are firing on all cylinders as we're 4-0 on sides and totals on the week.
Let's get into our picks for tonight's busy 10-game slate.
Bruins (+100) @ Islanders (-120)
It's not every day you back a team on track for 65 points - as favorites, no less - against a perennial playoff side playing at a near 100-point pace.
But the New York Islanders are slowly starting to play better. They've picked up points in five of their last seven games and their expected goals for percentage is just below 50%. While that's nothing to write home about, it's a step in the right direction.
Now they're at home against a Boston Bruins team that's been decimated by COVID-19. The Bruins are top-heavy at the best of times so playing without three top-six forwards - Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, and Craig Smith - will be absolutely crushing.
The Islanders have their own issues - Mathew Barzal is also in COVID protocol - but their much healthier lineup is certainly capable of beating a team running Jack Studnicka, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic, and Tomas Nosek down the middle.
Look for a desperate New York team to take advantage of a golden opportunity.
Bet: Islanders (-120)
Flyers (-140) @ Canadiens (+120)
Don't look now, but the Philadelphia Flyers have won three consecutive games. They've controlled nearly 54% of the expected goals at five-on-five over that time, a sign that the wins aren't just smoke and mirrors.
I like the Flyers to extend their winning streak to four tonight, but this play is more about fading the Montreal Canadiens.
The Canadiens rank dead last in expected goals against per 60 over their last 10 games. They get caved in each and every night and continue bleeding quality chances.
Given Montreal's abundance of injuries, there isn't much reason to expect anything different in the immediate future.
I don't like Cayden Primeau's chances of masking the team's issues. He owns an .883 save percentage through eight NHL appearances and has lost all six games that weren't against the Ottawa Senators, who've been rebuilding since he first played in the league.
Philadelphia seems poised to score in bulk, which should allow it to get things done within 60 minutes.
Bet: Flyers inside regulation (+105)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.