The future is bright for the Calgary Flames and the Buffalo Sabres, as three prospects from the two teams shone in the championship of the 70th annual Beanpot Tournament in Boston. The New England tradition takes place each year and features four colleges from the Boston area. Matthew Coronato, a Flames prospect, scored two goals for Harvard, and fellow Flame Mitchell Gibson stopped 27 shots. Northeastern goalie Devon Levi is a Buffalo prospect, and he stopped 32 shots to get the win. As we move into the weekend, let’s take a look at two primo NHL betting picks from Friday night’s action.
NHL News: Top Betting Picks for the Weekend
Friday, February 17
Pittsburgh Penguins (+1.5) at N.Y. Islanders (O/U 5.5) (7:00 pm ET)
Pittsburgh (27-17-9) has seen its offense improve, and the Penguins are now scoring 3.23 goals per game. The ageless Sidney Crosby continues to light the lamp, and along with Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin, the top scorers have 66 goals and 102 assists. The defense has been a bit inconsistent, though, permitting 3.08 goals per game. Casey DeSmith has put up a .907 save percentage, but the sheer volume of shots he faces has still dealt him a large GAA (3.21).
The Islanders (27-23-7) have had a difficult time scoring goals this season, putting up 2.88 goals per night. Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, and Brock Nelson have combined for 55 goals and 82 assists, but after you get past the two scoring lines, goals have been hard to come by. The defense has been solid, permitting just 2.70 goals per game. Ilya Sorokin has been terrific in net, posting a .923 save percentage and a 2.40 GAA – and a +21.3 goals saved above average. But can the Isles shut down the Pittsburgh attack? Penguins to cover.
N.Y. Rangers (+1.5) at Edmonton Oilers (O/U 7) (9:00 pm ET)
The Rangers (32-14-8) have won six in a row to vault into third place in the Metropolitan Division. The offense has exploded recently, producing 22 goals over the last five games, and the Blueshirts now average 3.37 goals per game on the season. The top lines have seen Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin combine for 62 goals and 97 assists. The defense has been even better, allowing just 2.65 goals per game. With Igor Shesterkin behind that defense (.915 save percentage, 2.52 GAA, +10.6 goals saved above average), the Rangers will be a tough out in the playoffs.
Edmonton (30-19-6) has a terrific offense, scoring 3.73 goals per game, although they have cooled off slightly, scoring 16 in their last five. Two of the top scorers in the NHL skate for the Oil, as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl have combined for 73 goals and 106 assists. Tyson Barrie and Darnell Nurse have contributed 13 goals and 50 assists from the blue line – but all of that offense from the defensemen may keep them from getting back, as Edmonton permits 3.22 goals per game. Stuart Skinner has a .913 save percentage, but that lack of defense in front of him has led to a 2.95 GAA nonetheless. Rangers to cover.
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