Top NHL Expert Picks for Thursday: Will Leafs, Coyotes Produce Offensive Fireworks?
It's a jam-packed day of NHL action with 13 games teed up for Thursday. Let's dive in with our NHL expert picks.
Our hockey experts highlight their top against the spread, moneyline, and Over/Under selections for Thursday's NHL matchups (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, and Caesers Sportsbook; pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Thursday's Top NHL Expert Picks
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SEE ALSO: Breaking Down the Western Conference Playoff Race
Top NHL Expert ATS/ML Picks
Kings -1.5 (+120 via DraftKings)
The San Jose Sharks have faded from playoff contention after going 2-6-5 over their past 13 games. They also enter Thursday night’s contest against the Los Angeles Kings dealing with several significant injuries. Missing their top two goaltenders and four of their five top defensemen leaves the Sharks reeling. San Jose has managed just 43.3% of 5-on-5 score-and-venue-adjusted shot attempts and 44.3% of expected goals since the December schedule pause.
The Los Angeles Kings are dealing with their own injury issues. But they've still won eight of their past 10 games while being a dominant puck-possession team. The Kings are controlling 57.3% of 5-on-5 score-and-venue-adjusted shot attempts and 56.5% of expected goals since the schedule pause. Those are the second-best rates in the league over that time.
That's why the Kings should pick up a comfortable win against a shorthanded Sharks squad. - Cullen
Golden Knights -1.5 (+116 via FanDuel)
The Golden Knights are coming off a frustrating loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. They outshout the Flyers 48-21, but Vegas dropped the game 2-1 despite generating over five expected goals. Carter Hart robbed Vegas of a win.
Fortunately for the Golden Knights, they've now facing the Sabres on Thursday, and Buffalo doesn't boast a goalie nearly as skilled as the Flyers’ youngster.
The Sabres are also coming off a 6-1 home loss to Florida after losing 3-0 to the Kings the night before. Buffalo has suffered multi-goal losses in eight of its last 10 games.
This contest is the Jack Eichel revenge game, too. Eichel will be returning to Buffalo for the first time since the trade. He’ll lead his team to a blowout victory.
The Golden Knights won the first meeting between these squads 5-2 on Feb. 1. They should complete the two-game sweep tonight. - Gilbert
Panthers -1.5 (-140 via DraftKings)
The Panthers are completely obliterating opposing goaltenders this season while lighting the lamp an absurd 4.12 times per game. With Hart Trophy candidate Jonathan Huberdeau leading the way, the Big Cats are the No. 1 team in Corsi for percentage, goals for, expected goals for, and expected goals for percentage. Florida is outscoring its opponents 19-6 over a four-game winning streak, a run that includes three multi-goal victories.
Meanwhile, the Flyers just aren’t at that level. Philadelphia is a bottom-10 team in Corsi for percentage, expected goals for, expected goals against, and expected goals for percentage. The Flyers have posted a middling 3-5-2 record over their past 10 games.
Expect the Panthers to wing big on Thursday. - Smith
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Top NHL Expert O/U Picks
Blue Jackets-Islanders Over 6 (+100 via DraftKings)
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo is set to make his first appearance since Jan. 31. His .887 save percentage is the fifth-worst among netminders who have played at least 10 games in 2021-22, so he likely won't improve the team's goaltending. However, 7.25 goals per 60 minutes have been scored during the club's games since the schedule pause, in part due to the Blue Jackets' improved attack.
The New York Islanders tend to play more of a defensive game, and they rank fifth since the schedule pause while giving up 2.67 goals against per 60 minutes. Overall, there's been an average of 5.56 goals potted per game during the Islanders' outings since the pause, and six-plus goals have been scored in six of their past eight contests.
Those trends will continue against a looser Blue Jackets squad. - Cullen
Coyotes-Leafs Over 6.5 (-115 via DraftKings)
The Coyotes' offense suddenly came alive over their past two games. They beat the Senators 8-5 on Saturday before winning 9-2 in Detroit on Tuesday. They've only been averaging 2.50 goals per game in 2021-22, but that's up to 4.1 over their past 10 matchups.
Meanwhile, the Leafs have been struggling defensively and in the crease. Jack Campbell's season numbers look good at 24-9-4 with a .914 save percentage and 2.65 goals-against average. However, he's produced an .882 save percentage with 35 goals allowed over his last 10 starts.
Toronto has allowed four-plus goals in each of its last four games. The Leafs have given up more goals (45) in their last 10 games than they've scored (42).
This contest should easily go Over the total. Auston Matthews is producing a tremendous season, and he should keep that up in a high-scoring affair. - Gilbert
Rangers-Blues Under 5.5 (+100 via Caesers)
A potential goaltending duel is brewing in St. Louis.
The Rangers’ masked man Igor Shesterkin has his sights set on the Hart Trophy after clearing his mantle for the Vezina. Shesterkin leads the NHL in goals saved above average (24.62), goals against average (1.93), and save percentage (a ludicrous .942). He's authoring one of the greatest goaltending campaigns in recent memory.
Expected Blues starter Ville Husso is crafting an excellent season himself. Husso ranks 11th in the league with 9.90 goals saved above average while posting a sparkling 2.17 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage, with the latter two numbers putting him among the NHL's top five.
We’re in for a low-scoring affair if these two goaltenders are on top of their games Thursday. - Smith
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