New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes NHL betting preview
Location: PNC Arena
Time: 7:05 PM
Odds for fans who bet on hockey:
Rangers -1½ (+243) 5½ (+110) -120
Hurricanes +1½ (-285) 5½ (-130) EV
The Rangers have won five of their last eight games, including two overtime wins and one shootout win. The Rangers’ defense ranks 11th at 2.61 goals allowed per game. Captain Ryan McDonagh has become the anchor of that defense. At this time NYR hold the first wild card spot in the East with 88 points, behind the Pittsburgh Penguins by two points for the third Metro Division postseason berth. The Canes are 1-3 in March. In order to add some firepower to its offense, Carolina has recalled Valentin Zykov from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Zykov is the third lead scorer on the Checkers with 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points in 55 games. It may make little difference though, seeing as how the Hurricanes will more than likely be watching the playoffs on TV for the seventh straight season.
Philadelphia Flyers at Toronto Maple Leafs NHL betting preview
Location: Air Canada Centre
Time: 7:35 PM
Odds for fans who bet on hockey:
Flyers +1½ (-230) 5½ (-105) +130
Maple Leafs -1½ (+190) 5½ (-115) -150
Goalie Steve Mason has led the Flyers in their now traditional late-season playoff push to a 3-0-1 record in his last four starts, including one shutout, a 1.45 goals-against average, and .945 save percentage. Another regulation win tonight would tie them at 72 points with Toronto and pull within one point of the last wild card – pending the Islanders-Canucks game result. Speaking of regulation wins – or just wins, period – the Leafs got their first since February 21st against the Red Wings on Tuesday. The MLs had two shootout losses, one OT loss, and two regulation losses since that date. Toronto has the No. 7-ranked offense averaging 3.03 goals per contest. The Leafs’ power play is averaging 23.35 percent.
Minnesota Wild at Tampa Bay Lightning NHL betting preview
Location: Amalie Arena
Time: 7:35 PM
Odds for fans who bet on hockey:
Wild -1½ (+255) 5½ (+110) -115
Lightning +1½ (-310) 5½ (-130) -105
The Wild is set to embark on its longest road trip of the season. Minnesota only played two road games in the last 29 days and is tied for third in the league for fewest road games played this season. On the other hand, the Wild is second in the NHL with 43 road points and third in road victories. Minnesota has points in 17 of its past 19 road games since the start of December. Tonight’s will be the second of a three-game homestand for the Lightning. Nikita Kucherov leads the team with 28 goals and 63 points. Victor Hedman has 43 assists and 55 points. Goalkeeper Ben Bishop was traded to the Kings; goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has a 14-13-6 record with a 2.64 goals-average and a .915 save percentage. TB is four points out of the Eastern Conference’s last wild card berth.