Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for from various handicappers and websites for Wednesday 2/20/19
NHL – TRENDS OF THE DAY
While there are only four games scheduled in the National Hockey League on Wednesday, February 20, no one can deny that they will be great action on tap when two division leaders square off. The Metropolitan Division Leading New York Islanders travel out west to take on the Calgary Flames, the leader in the Pacific Division. In other great action, it’s a battle of original six teams when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Detroit Red Wings, and the Boston Bruins battle the Vegas Golden Knights.
Featured Game
New York Islanders (+125) vs. Calgary Flames (-150)
The New York Islanders are leading the Metropolitan Division with 76 points (35-17-6). The Islanders are 17-10-2 on the road this season and are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, including winning their last two. The Calgary Flames are in first place in the Pacific Division with 79 points (36-16-7). Calgary is 18-5-5 at home this season and they are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. Calgary has also won their last two games.
Goaltending Matchup:
Robin Lehner will likely be in goal for New York. Lehner is 18-9-0 this season with a 2.08 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. The Islanders goaltender allowed two goals on 38 shots in his last start and he is 6-3-1 in his last 10 starts.
Calgary will likely have David Rittich in goal. Rittich is 20-5-5 this season with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. Rittich is 7-1-2 in his last 10 decisions.
Hot Trends:
The New York Islanders are…
21-7 in their last 28 games.
11-4 in their last 15 games on the road.
0-6 in their last six games on Wednesday.
The Calgary Flames are…
7-2 in their last nine games at home.
7-3 in their last 10 following a victory.
6-1 in their last seven against Metropolitan Division teams.
Stat Pack:
Islanders:
Goals For: 2.86
Goals Against: 2.29
Power-Play: 16.2%
Penalty Killing: 80.2%
Flames:
Goals For: 3.68
Goals Against: 2.92
Power-Play: 22.4%
Penalty Killing: 77.9%
Prediction
A battle of division leaders is always exciting, but this should be a great game of contrasts. Calgary is the much better offensive team, second in the National Hockey League in goals scored, but the Islanders are first in goals allowed this year. Calgary has the potent power-play, while New York has the dominating penalty killing unit.
That should make for a great contest, so we look for the trend of when these two teams square off. New York has won six of the last eight meetings between these two teams, so we see that to be the case here as well.
These two teams have gone under in six of the last eight meetings, and we like that trend considering the two guys in the net. If New York is going to win this game it is going to be a close, defensive showcase. Look for the New York Islanders to win, 3-1.
Two Games to Watch
Boston Bruins (+100) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (-120)
The Boston Bruins are in second in the Atlantic Division with 78 points (35-17-8). Boston is 14-10-5 on the road this season and are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games, including winning their last six. The Vegas Golden Knights are in third in the Pacific Division with 68 points (32-25-4). Vegas is 17-9-3 at home this season and are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games.
Why Boston Wins:
Bruins have won six in a row.
Bruins have won last nine games against Pacific Division teams.
Bruins are 10-3 in their last 13 against teams with a winning record.
Golden Knights are 1-4 in their last five games.
Golden Knights are 1-5 in their last six at home.
Why Vegas Wins:
Bruins have lost their last seven games on Wednesday.
What About the Total?
Go over 5.5, because…
Bruins have gone over in five of their last seven games.
Bruins have gone over in six of their last eight against teams in the Western Conference.
Vegas has gone over in four of their last five against teams with a winning record.
Chicago Blackhawks (-105) vs. Detroit Red Wings (-115)
The Chicago Blackhawks are in the last place in the Central Division with 59 points (25-26-9). Chicago is 11-15-3 on the road this season, but they have been hot of late, going 8-2-0 over their last 10 games. The Detroit Red Wings are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division with 54 points (23-29-8). Detroit is 12-14-4 at home this season and they are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games.
Why Chicago Wins:
Blackhawks are 9-2 in their last 11 games.
Blackhawks are 6-2 in their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Red Wings are 5-11 in their last 16 games at home.
Red Wings are 2-5 in their last seven games.
Blackhawks are 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
Why Detroit Wins:
Blackhawks are 14-31 in their last 45 games on the road.
Home team is 11-5 and last 16 meetings.
What About the Total?
Go over 6.5, because…
Total has gone over and five of the last nine meetings.
Total has gone over in five of the last six meetings in Detroit.
Chicago has gone over in 36 of their last 52 games on the road.
NHL's Top Betting Money Teams (based on $100 ML wager per game):
1. Isles $1522 (35-23)
2. Bolts $1360 (45-15)
3. Flames $640 (36-23)
4. Blues $616 (31-27)
5. Leafs $451 (36-22)
6. Blue Jackets $368 (33-25)
7. Canucks $329 (26-34)
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NHL's Worst Betting Money Teams (based on $100 ML wager per game):
31. Avs $-1215 (24-35)
30. Devils $-945 (23-36)
29. Oilers $-926 (24-34)
28. Kings $-869 (23-36)
27. Wild $-788 (27-32)
26. Ducks $-768 (23-36)
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NHL's Top OVER Teams (based on Over %):
1. Blackhawks 38-18-4
2. Sens 35-21-3
t3. Flames 35-23-1
t3. Sharks 35-23-2
5. Devils 32-25-2
6. Panthers 29-23-5
7. Jets 28-23-8
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NHL's Top UNDER Teams (based on Under %):
1. Stars 35-16-7
2. Isles 36-19-3
3. Ducks 36-21-2
4. Hurricanes 35-23-1
5. Bruins 33-24-3
6. Blues 31-24-3
7. Blue Jackets 29-23-6
8. Habs 32-26-1
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