Hockey fans rejoice! We are finally getting live NHL action after what seems like forever. With all the negativity floating around whether politics or covid-19 we can at least grasp on to some live sports. Tonight will be the start of a series that will be continued for the entirety of the 2021 season. Join me a couple of times a week for a preview and picks segment where we try to steer you in the right direction when making your selections for betting purposes.
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Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning puck line -1.5+100
Tampa is miles better than the rebuilding Blackhawks. The Hawks are trending to be one of the worst teams this season. Team leader and one of the game’s most complete players, Jonathan Toews is out indefinitely. Add Kirby Dach and Alexander Nylander to the list of talented forwards who will miss time and you’ve got a thin group of forwards that can be difference-makers in this contest.
Where it gets really worrisome for the Hawks is at the backend. Particularly at the very backend. Long time Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford left via free agency(he just recently announced retirement). Now the torch is passed to a combination of Malcolm Subban, Collin Delia, and Kevin Lakinen- yikes! At first glance, this could be the worst goaltending situation of the entire league
It’s difficult to imagine the Hawks can improve much after allowing a league-worst 35 shots against last season with this defensive group even after adding Nikita Zadorov.
Tampa has a big hole to fill after they found out that Nikita Kucherov will miss the entire season. There is just so much depth on this roster that the Lightning may be off by only a tick this season. Let’s not forget they will get, health willing, a full campaign out of Steven Stamkos.
Last year the Lightning faced the Hawks twice splitting the series one apiece. Overall the Lightning has dominated winning 8 of the 10 past contests.
All toll, 25 of their 43 victories last season were decided by two or more goals. This is a good spot to grab the Lightning at more than a goal better with a plus price. Expect them to overwhelm whoever’s getting the nod between the pipes. None of the Hawks ‘tenders have been reliable in the past, the task is too tall here against the reigning champs.
Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers O 6.0 -.135
Vancouver gave up the fourth-most scoring chances against while Edmonton gave up the ninth-most during the entirety of the 2019/20 season.
Edmonton’s leaky defensive group gave up the 11th most high danger chances last year. They are also weak at netminder with the combination of Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith. The .912 team save percentage pit them only 25th.
Both teams also gave up their fair share of goals. The Canucks surrendered 145(11th) while the Oil gave up the third-most league-wide with 157.
Plenty of scoring talent on both sides. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson will get plenty of good looks throughout the game. As for the Oilers, there isn’t a better scoring duo than Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
The line opened up 5.5 goals but has been adjusted just recently to six. The over here seems still doable as we have seen an uptick in goals in the National hockey league over the last few years. Also to like is the fact that teams aren’t as tight defensively in the early going.
The Oilers explosive offense coupled with them being so weak in the defensive end lends itself well to the over here.
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