There is a full slate of NHL games on Thursday night. Below, we are getting down on three games that are primed to cash at top-rated sportsbooks, as we look to do some damage to the books with our NHL odds in hand!
Picks Summary
- Toronto Maple Leafs ML (-125)
- Auston Matthews Over 1.5 (+165)
- Minnesota Wild -1 ½ (-130)
- Calgary ML (+135)
*All odds from Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review)
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Thursday, March 14, 2024 – 07:30 PM ET at Wells Fargo Center
Key Facts
- Maple Leafs are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games.
- Maple Leafs are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games against Philadelphia.
- Maple Leafs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road.
Leafs Well-Rested
It’s not often a team gets five days in March to lick their wounds and recover from the long grind that is the NHL season. However, that’s precisely what the Maple Leafs are enjoying after the team’s 3-2 victory in Montreal on Saturday.
And although the Canadiens are far from a powerhouse this season, the Leafs did not skate away without a battle from the hometown Habs. After falling behind, 1-0, less than a minute into the game, Toronto countered with two goals in the second period by Bobby McMann and Max Domi before the Canadiens knotted the game at two apiece. John Tavares would knock home the game-winner midway through the period to clinch the win.
NHL Pick
It’s important to note that the Leafs have had five days to prepare against a team they have thoroughly dominated over the past several seasons, going 7-0, over their last seven meetings. However, sometimes rest turns into rust, which can be problematic if a team starts slow and plays catchup throughout the contest.
Yet, I don’t see that happening here. The Maple Leafs have plenty of firepower and are ranked third in scoring, averaging 3.61 goals per game, while the Flyers check in at No. 23 in that category. Toronto’s defense is not all that great but certainly their offense will compensate against a middling Flyers defense.
As for the prop pick in this one, look for Auston Matthews to go over 1.5 (+165) points in this one.
NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs ML (-125) at Caesars Sportsbook
NHL Prop: Auston Matthews Over 1.5 (+165) at Caesars Sportsbook
Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild
Thursday, March 14, 2024 – 08:00 PM ET at Xcel Energy Center
Key Facts
- Ducks are 1-13 SU in their last 14 games against Minnesota.
- Ducks are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota.
- Wild are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
Ducks Continue to Stumble
Anaheim has the dubious distinction of owning one of the worst records in the league at 23-39-3 and they have continued to struggle recently, dropping 4 of their last 5 contests, including a 7-2 loss to the bottom-feeding Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.
NHL Pick
This is a chalky play to be sure but it is hard to envision the Wild losing to a team that they have owned, winning 9 of their last 10 against the lowly Ducks. However, the only loss during that streak came in their most recent meeting in January, when Anaheim pulled a 3-2 upset in Minnesota.
Now these teams are back to the crime scene and don’t think for a moment the Wild will be taking the Ducks lightly this time around. I am looking for a score along the line of Minnesota 6 – Ducks 1.
NHL Pick: Minnesota Wild -1 ½ (-130) at Caesars Sportsbook
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Calgary Flames
Thursday, March 14, 2024 – 09:00 PM ET at Scotiabank Saddledome
Key Facts
- Knights are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games.
- Knights are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against Calgary.
- Knights are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games played in March.
Flames Look to Extinguish Losing Streak
Calgary has lost their last three, and four of their last five, which doesn’t bode well for their upcoming matchup against the Vegas Knights. Nevertheless, there are a few reasons why they are a live dog tonight and I will explain below.
Let’s not sugarcoat this. Calgary has looked lost over their last several games, dropping a 6-2 decision to the Rockies on Tuesday with Dan Vladar patrolling the crease. The offense has not clicked, the defense has been porous and there seems to be no cohesion in the transition game. But that will end tonight.
NHL Pick
The last time these teams met, Calgary skated away to a 3-1 victory in January at the Knights’ home venue in Sin City. The Flames match up well against Vegas, as evidenced by their 5-5 record over their last 10 meetings.
Vegas is coming off a grueling 5-4 overtime win against Seattle and I believe their gas tank will be empty after packing up from Seattle and traveling to Calgary in just two days.
Let’s grab the juice and back the home dog here.
NHL Pick: Calgary ML (+135) at Caesars Sportsbook
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
