Going into Thursday night, which features 14 games in the NHL, Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota all have 98 points and sit atop the Central Division in a three-way tie. This is just the second time in NHL history when the three teams leading a division have all had the same number of points with less than 10% of the regular season remaining. Colorado does have a game in hand, but Dallas has the edge in regulation wins – the first tiebreaker. They have 35; Minnesota and Colorado just have 32. According to Money Puck, Colorado has the best chance of winning, with a 45.4% probability. Dallas (37.1%) and Minnesota (17.5) come next. We’ll know more after Thursday, as Dallas hosts Philadelphia, Minnesota plays Pittsburgh, and Colorado faces the Sharks out by the Bay. Let’s look at your top NHL betting opportunities on the ice as we head into the weekend.
NHL Betting Analysis | Top Bets for the Weekend
Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars
Saturday, April 8 – 3:30 pm ET, ABC | Vegas has dropped three of five but still has 104 points, leading the Pacific Division and holding the top seed in the Western Conference. They took on Nashville on Tuesday down in Tennessee but lost, 3-2, in overtime, giving up a Cody Glass goal 3:30 into the extra frame. Jonathan Marchessault took a holding penalty in overtime, and it only took 37 seconds for Glass to send a shot off Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb’s skate and into the Vegas net. Alex Pietrangelo scored both of the Vegas goals in the second period, and Jonathan Quick had 24 saves, but Vegas only left with the single point. Vegas hosts the L.A. Kings on Thursday before heading to Dallas for Saturday’s afternoon game.
Dallas has won three of four, including a 5-1 rout of the Predators on Monday in which the Stars clinched a postseason berth and Jason Robertson became the first player in franchise history with a 100-point season. He had his 43rd goal of the season, along with three assists, in the laugher. Joe Pavelski had a power-play goal and an assist, and Tyler Seguin scored his 20th goal of the season. Roope Hintz scored his 35th goal, and Colin Miller sent a 50-foot slap shot that found the back of the net behind Nashville All-Star goalie Juuse Saros. Backup netminder Scott Wedgewood had 26 saves in his first game since February 19, when he went down with a lower-body injury. The Stars host Philadelphia on Thursday before welcoming the Golden Knights. Dallas to win.
Nashville Predators at Winnipeg Jets
Saturday, April 8 – 7:00 pm ET | Nashville has alternated wins and losses over their last six games, including that 3-2 overtime winner against Vegas on Tuesday. An essential part of that overtime win was the timeout that coach John Hynes called, in order to get the team settled and aware of its options. Tommy Novak had the two goals during regulation and assisted Colin Glass on the game-winner. Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves in relief of Saros, and he was especially busy during a 5-on-3 that lasted 1:46 late in the first period. His best save came on a blast from Vegas defenseman Nicolas Hague from the slot in the waning seconds of the penalty kill. Nashville hosts Carolina on Thursday before heading back to Western Canada to take on the Jets.
Winnipeg has dropped three of their last five, including a 3-1 setback against Calgary on Wednesday night that followed wins over Detroit and New Jersey in which the team scored 12 combined goals. In the loss to the Flames, Kyle Connor had the lone goal, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 32 shots, but the Flames, who needed the win more to boost their chances at a wild card, came in with more passion. Saturday’s game is really a must-win for both teams, and the Predators are on the wrong end of some busy travel that has them criss-crossing the continent. Winnipeg to win.
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