The hot start to the season for our free NHL betting picks reached 13-5 Thursday as the Penguins scored 4 goals to beat the Islanders in overtime, cashing our Penguins Team Total Over 3.5 at a nice fat +123 return.
New York scored twice late in regulation time to tie the game and guarantee that one of the two teams would score a fourth goal. We had hoped that the Pens would get their fourth via the empty net, but an OT marker was just fine with us as well – one of the nice things about betting team totals.
Not a lot of time today even though there are 12 games on tonight’s NHL betting board, so check out our live odds page if you’re interested in seeing tonight’s NHL betting lines. Otherwise, here’s what we like for tonight:
Winnipeg Jets at Tampa Bay Lightning
Winnipeg should come into this game as a hungry team, having lost its last two games to the Red Wings and Panthers. Meanwhile, Tampa’s rolling right now, having won 3 straight while scoring 16 goals in the process.
To us, that sets up a nice opportunity to back a Jets team that has excelled in first periods this season, including on the road. Tampa, meanwhile, has actually been outscored in first periods at home before relying on its offence to rally back in the last two periods.
Look for Winnipeg to try to get an early lead and then settle things down with a conservative plan on the road.
NHL betting prediction: Jets First Period Moneyline +133
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings
Carolina’s not as good as the Jets, but the Canes are in a similar position as Winnipeg here: motivated to bounce back after a couple of tough losses. In Carolina’s case, the Hurricanes blew a 3-0 first-period lead Thursday in San Jose, falling 5-4 to the Sharks. It’s now 8 straight games that Carolina has failed to earn a regulation time win, even though they continue to outshoot everybody.
LA is our favourite team to fade in first periods at home. The Kings are dominating teams in third periods this season, but they always seem to come out slow. They also might be feeling a little too good about themselves right now, winners of 7 straight.
Getting Carolina at plus money in the opening 20 minutes is something we can’t pass up (and you might want to look to live bet the Kings before the third period begins.)
NHL betting prediction: Hurricanes first period moneyline +113