NHL Odds & Best Bets Today: Schedule, Picks for Thursday
There are 14 games on tap in the NHL Thursday night, which means plenty of opportunities to line your pockets with a little extra sweet, sweet green. Read on for our top bets for Thursday based on the best NHL odds.
A handful of teams are still trying to claw into the playoffs with just several games remaining in the season. That includes the Nashville Predators, who are squaring off against the Carolina Hurricanes and find themselves three points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference with five games left.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are roughly in the same boat. At risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2005-06, the Pens are one point behind the New York Islanders for the final wild-card spot in the East. Their Thursday night showdown with the Minnesota Wild feels like a dreaded do-or-die scenario with only four games left.
Here are our best NHL picks (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, and PointsBet; Pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Check out our NHL picks.
Thursday’s NHL schedule and odds
(Odds via DraftKings)
- Columbus Blue Jackets (+310) vs. New Jersey Devils (-380)
- Minnesota Wild (+115) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-135)
- Washington Capitals (-155) vs. Montreal Canadiens (+135)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (+130) vs. Boston Bruins (-150)
- Ottawa Senators (+200) vs. Florida Panthers (-240)
- Buffalo Sabres (-115) vs. Detroit Red Wings (-105)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (-105) vs. New York Islanders (-115)
- New York Rangers (-180) vs. St. Louis Blues (+155)
- Carolina Hurricanes (-175) vs. Nashville Predators (+150)
- Philadelphia Flyers (+230) vs. Dallas Stars (-275)
- Chicago Blackhawks (+185) vs. Vancouver Canucks (-215)
- Los Angeles Kings (+110) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (-130)
- Arizona Coyotes (+290) vs. Seattle Kraken (-350)
- Colorado Avalanche (-230) vs. San Jose Sharks (+195)
Thursday’s NHL best bets
- Spread: Avalanche -1.5 (+115 via DraftKings Sportsbook) vs. Sharks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Spread: Devils -1.5 (-160 via Caesars Sportsbook) vs. Blue Jackets ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Player Prop: Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 points (-155 via Pointsbet) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Moneyline: Hurricanes (-175 via DraftKings Sportsbook) vs. Predators ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thursday’s NHL top picks
Spread: Avalanche (+115 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Avalanche juuuuuust squeaking past the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night was a blessing for future bettors. Before their matchup earlier this week, the spread favoring Colorado at some sportsbooks sat at -2.5. But it's back to 1.5 now, with an Avalanche victory paying out at +115.
I don't see the Sharks keeping pace with the Avalanche again, as they did during the previous meeting. Colorado is the superior team in goals per game, goals surrendered per game, Corsi for percentage, expected goals against, and expected goals for percentage. The Avalanche should easily earn a two-plus goal win.
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Spread: Devils -1.5 (-160 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Devils aren’t a rebuilding team anymore. Based on their 106 points and spot among the upper echelon in the East, it’s safe to say they’ve solidly been rebuilt. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are just hoping a ping-pong ball bounces their way.
New Jersey is a better team from virtually all angles, boasting higher metrics in Corsi for percentage, expected goals for, expected goals against, and expected goals for percentage. The Devils have won both of the previous meetings, outscoring the Blue Jackets 10-3.
Considering the wide gulf between these two squads, betting the spread is the best way to get value out of a Devils’ victory.
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Check out our 2023 Hart Trophy odds
Player Prop: Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 points (-155 via Pointsbet) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
MacKinnon is an absolute menace. He's reached the 100-point plateau for the first time in his career, and the sniper has recorded seven points in his last five games, including three multi-point efforts.
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The 2013 No. 1 pick has recorded 33 multi-point outings over 65 games in 2022-23. “Nate the Great” has also posted two-plus points in both of his games against the Sharks.
Expect more of the same Thursday night, with MacKinnon filling up the score sheet.
Moneyline: Hurricanes (-175 via DraftKings)⭐⭐⭐⭐
After suffering through a recent three-game losing streak (their second longest of the season), the Metropolitan-leading Hurricanes have regained their footing, racking up three straight wins heading into this matchup. Nashville has alternated wins and losses over their past five games, but count the playoff-bound Golden Knights and terrifying juggernaut Boston Bruins among their recent triumphs.
Carolina is the better team in goals per game, goals surrendered per game, power play percentage, Corsi for percentage (No. 1 in the league), expected goals for, expected goals against (No. 1 in the league), and expected goals for percentage (again, No. 1 in the league).
Most sportsbooks list the 'Canes as a -190 favorite, so there’s tremendous value in snatching them up at -175 through DraftKings.
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Check out our 2023 Vezina Trophy odds.
NHL best bets made 6/4/2023 at 1:40 p.m. ET.
Not intended for use in MA
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Here are our best NHL betting sites:
- FanDuel: No Sweat First Bet Up to $1,000 | Read our FanDuel Review
- Caesars: Earn Up to a $1,250 Bet Credit | Read our Caesars Review
- DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | Read our DraftKings Review
- PointsBet: Earn Five Second-Chance Bets Up to $50 Each | Read our PointsBet Review
- BetMGM: Get a Bonus Bet of Up to $1,000 | Read our BetMGM Review
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* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
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