The Tampa Bay Lightning will win the Presidents Trophy and have been flashing a Stanley Cup pose all season. The Bolts will face a tune up game at the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Montreal Canadiens simply have no margin for error at the Washington Capitals in a virtual do or die game. The Nashville Predators have been underwhelming at times and will prepare for the playoffs with a home game against the Vancouver Canucks. The Edmonton Oilers are facing an offseason of probable upheaval and will host the playoff bound but slumping San Jose Sharks. Let’s take a look at the best bets for Thursday in the NHL!
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay has been bank on the road with a record of 27-8-2. The Lightning rank first in the NHL for goal scoring and the power play. They also rank fifth for goals against and second for the penalty kill. It all adds up to a Stanley Cup look. Toronto is in bad form with a soft look as the Maple Leafs have lost seven of their last ten games. The Lighting have struck the cashier’s cage in eight of their last 10 matchups. Among the most disappointing characteristics of the Maple Leafs has been their lack of grit. Tampa Bay has come away with the cash in six of their last eight games at Toronto.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN
The Montreal Canadiens are in a neck and neck race with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final playoff spot.
Montreal has had surprising success at Capital One Arena against Washington with six wins in their last nine visits. The Canadiens should find their share of opportunities against a Capitals team with a sloppy and inconsistent back end. The Caps are in good form however with six wins in their last nine games. While Washington ranks fifth in the NHL for goal scoring, they have slipped to 18th for goals against and 24th for the penalty kill. The Canadiens have won five of their last seven and have the motivational edge here.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET
The Nashville Predators are limping into the playoffs with three losses in their last five games. Goal scoring has become a problem for the Preds as they rank 20th in the NHL for lighting the lamp and a dismal 30th for the power play. But the Canucks have also dropped three of their last five and epitomize the word “mediocre.” Vancouver has NHL rankings of 24th for goal scoring, 27th for the power play, and 20th for goals against. Nashville has had firm control of the payout window in their home games with the Canucks. The Preds have beaten Vancouver in four of their last five at Bridgestone Arena.
San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers, 9 p.m. ET
Despite their status as a playoff team the Sharks are drowning gamblers in red ink with nine losses in their last 10 games. San Jose remains one of the most prolific offense in the NHL with a ranking of third for goals scored and sixth for the power play. Edmonton has dropped five of their last seven games and ranks a lackluster 26th for goals against and 30th for the penalty kill. The Sharks have won three games in a row at Edmonton and six of the last seven overall in this head to head series. This could be Ken Hitchcock’s final week as head coach of the Oilers as he took over on an interim basis and simply could not get their thin supporting cast to work up to the same standards as marquee man Connor McDavid.
Thursday NHL Best Bets: Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks
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