NHL weekend preview: Hurricanes to rebound in St. Louis
Our best bets Wednesday were a mixed bag. We successfully played the under in Minnesota, but, despite a 1-1 scoreline after 40 minutes, the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes crushed our spirits with two goals apiece in the third period to guarantee a loss.
We'll hope for better with our best bets for the weekend.
Penguins (-120) @ Rangers (+100)
Mar 25, 7 p.m. EST
We were under heavy in Thursday's best bets, so it's only fitting we pick up where we left off to get the weekend started.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are playing very sound defensive hockey, sitting fifth in scoring chances allowed per game - and sixth in expected goals against - over their last 10 contests. They're not giving their opponents many opportunities, which is a recipe for success with how Tristan Jarry is playing.
He's appeared in 14 of Pittsburgh's last 20 games. In those contests, he posted a .929 five-on-five save percentage and .919 SV% overall - both rank significantly above league average. I don't see the New York Rangers scoring much in this game.
Although Igor Shesterkin has looked a little more human lately, he should be able to keep Pittsburgh's offense in check. He still leads the NHL in save percentage and goals saved above expected. He also held the Penguins to just one goal when the sides met late last month.
With both sides jockeying for positioning in the Metro Division standings, this game has significant playoff implications. I expect that to show. Look for a tight, lower-scoring affair.
Bet: Under 6 (-120)
Hurricanes (-124) @ Blues (+102)
Mar 26, 8 p.m. EST
The Hurricanes have long been a team that dictates the run of play at five-on-five. It's been their calling card for any and all success dating back to when their roster had less talent than it does now. Yet, they seem to be hitting a new level.
Carolina's share of the shot attempts sits above 61% over the last 10 games. It's not a quantity over quality thing either. The team looks just as good when it comes to expected goal share or high-danger chances, controlling better than 60% of each.
While the St. Louis Blues are a solid team, their biggest weakness is staying afloat in the chance department. They routinely give up more than they create and rely on finishing at a high rate to make up for it.
I'm not sure that's going to happen against this Carolina team. Not with Frederik Andersen (likely) in net. Only Shesterkin has posted better numbers than Andersen over this season, and the gap is nowhere close to as large as it once was.
The Hurricanes should have a big edge at five-on-five in this game. If Andersen starts against Jordan Binnington, that'll be the case in goal as well. Back Carolina to take care of business in St. Louis.
Bet: Hurricanes (-124)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.