Hockey is the most chaotic of the major sports. Stoppages are few and far between, grown men hurl themselves into each other while skating 20 miles per hour, and teams face a neverending battle of possessing the puck or trying to obtain it. But, as with most things, there’s a science within the mayhem.
We’re giving bettors another tool to put in their arsenal with our NHL parlay breakdown.
NHL Parlays Today
Bets: Florida Panthers vs. St. Louis Blues Under 6.5 +100, Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals Over 6 -105
Odds: +290
Parlay Payout: $390.00 on a $100 bet
The Florida Panthers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, which could impact their productivity as they travel to take on the St. Louis Blues.
Scheduling shortcomings notwithstanding, the Panthers are earmarked for regression. In the six games before last night’s loss, the Panthers averaged 14.0 high-danger chances per game, well above their season average of 10.9. Similarly, they should tidy things up in their end after giving up 14.5 quality opportunities over the same six-game stretch. Easily the worst stretch of their season.
The Blues are in amid an improved run. St. Louis has held its opponents to nine or fewer quality chances in five of their past eight. Still, improved defensive zone structure can’t compensate for the Blues’ offensive shortcomings. So far this season, the Blues rank sixth-last in high-danger chances, attempting eight or fewer in four of their past five.
Goals will be at a premium in this non-conference matchup. Florida is in a bad spot, awaiting further regression, while the Blues don’t have the offensive wherewithal to keep pace.
The Carolina Hurricanes scored just two goals last time out, ending a four-game span in which they tallied 19 times. They should get back on track in this Metropolitan Division showdown against the Washington Capitals.
Carolina’s surging offense is validated by solid analytics. The Canes have hit double-digit high-danger chances in five straight, averaging 12.4 per game across that stretch.
They’ll have a chance to exploit a Capitals squad that has a loose defensive standard. Washington ranks in the bottom half of the league in scoring and high-danger chances allowed. However, the Caps appear to have turned a corner with their offensive production, delivering 11 or more in four of their last six.
There should be no shortage of scoring when the Capitals host the Hurricanes. As such, the over is an undervalued play in this Metropolitan Division matchup.
Bets: Ottawa Senators +145 vs. New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Colorado Avalanche -115
Odds: +358
Parlay Payout: $458.15 on a $100 bet
The Ottawa Senators have been on a heater, winning four of their previous five games. They should continue that hot streak Tuesday as they try to knock off the New York Islanders.
Ottawa’s success is supported by improved metrics. The Sens have posted an expected goals-for rating above 50.0% in all but one of their last six games, including four straight. Offense has been the foundation of their recent triumphs, as the Sens have attempted ten or more quality chances in four of those contests.
Conversely, the Islanders have been sinking since before the All-Star break. New York has been outplayed in three of its last five, abandoning defensive zone structure more recently. Opponents have attempted 26 high-danger and 49 scoring opportunities over the last couple of outings, allowing the Sens free range to continue their strong play.
Don’t let the Sens playing on consecutive nights deter you from backing them as live dogs against the Islanders.
The Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning will renew acquaintances for the second time in a week. However, the betting market doesn’t accurately reflect the Avs’ chances in the rematch.
The Avalanche outplayed the Bolts when these teams met last week, posting an expected goals-for rating of 52.1%. That’s part of a five-game streak in which Colorado has posted a benchmark above 50.0%.
The Lightning are trending in the opposite direction. Tampa has a cumulative 49.8% expected goals-for rating over their last five games. However, that metric doesn’t accurately reflect their ineffective play, as the Bolts have been buoyed by one solid game, getting outplayed in the four others.
Colorado was the superior team when these clubs met on Thursday, and now have home-ice advantage in the rematch. This price should continue to climb, meaning now is the time to buy.
NHL Betting at BetMGM
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