February 5th, 2020 | The Hockey Betting Podcast
The latest episode of The Hockey Betting Podcast has Brian Blessing and Cam Stewart taking a look at the NHL betting odds for Wednesday, February 5 and Thursday, February 6, 2020.
Wednesday is a relatively short night in the NHL with just two games on the card before a massive Thursday of action that will feature a total of 12 games. The bye week that each team now gets means that the schedule is more compressed as the NHL has to pack in the games to make up for the time off. There are a lot of high priced favourites on the card, and Cam thinks that the dogs may come biting at big prices.
In particular, the Eastern Conference playoff race has been a back and forth affair with teams jockeying in and out of the final playoff spots each night. Listen to the latest edition of The Hockey Betting Podcast to get all of Brian and Cam’s picks.
Wednesday, February 5th 2020 NHL Schedule, Betting Odds, Picks
Toronto Maple Leafs -133, 7 at New York Rangers (SN)
Two days ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs were in position for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but today they are one point out of the last spot. That is because of a costly 5-3 home loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday. Cam and Brian saw that one coming on last Monday’s (02/03/2020) episode of The Hockey Betting Podcast.
Adding to the angst in TO is that Leafs goaltender Frederik Anderson is out with a neck injury, and Toronto’s 24th ranked defence and 25th ranked penalty killing units are now really under the gun.
Listen now to The Hockey Betting Podcast for in-depth analysis on this game and a potentially big trade deadline idea for the Leafs!
Boston Bruins -143, 6 at Chicago Blackhawks (NBCSN)
The Bruins trail first place Washington by a single point in the East and have won five of their last six. Boston boasts the NHL’s top ranking for goals allowed. Chicago may be cooling off after a hot stretch, as the Hawks have lost two of their last three. Cam thinks the total is too high for this game, and Brian passes.
Thursday, February 6th, 2020 NHL Schedule, Betting Odds, Picks
Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres -240 (NBCSN)
On the Friday, January 31st, 2020 episode of The Hockey Betting Podcast both Brian and Cam read the riot act to the Buffalo Sabres. Heaven help us all if they lose to the Dead Wings here.
Detroit ranks dead last in the NHL for goal scoring and goals allowed while losing nine in a row. The puck line may be a preferred method for some as Buffalo is a whopping but unreliable chalk.
Brian can’t believe the price on this game based on Buffalo’s terrible play recently. Cam shares Brian’s disgust with the Sabres and will take the Red Wings with that big plus-number.
Anaheim Ducks at Montreal Canadiens -195 (TSN2)
Cam correctly labeled the not-so-mighty Ducks as “horrible” on Monday’s (02/03/2020) episode. The guys also remarked that day on how important Brendan Gallagher’s return is to the Habs, who have won seven of their last 10, but remain seven points out of the final spot in the East for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Listen to The Hockey Betting Podcast for Brian and Cam’s deep dive and analysis for this one!
Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning -167
These teams could certainly tangle in the NHL Playoffs this spring and are tied for third in the East. Both are in top form with only two losses to the NHL spread in their last 10 games. Tampa Bay is an expensive chalk against a quality dog here.
Brian is impressed with Tampa Bay’s win over Vegas. Pittsburgh’s recent play has also impressed him, and he leans with the Pens. Cam likes the Pittsburgh price and sees the potential for a lot of offence in this one.
Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers -110
Florida has jumped back into the final playoff spot in the East and is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. The Panthers rank second in the league for goal scoring and are 16-8-2 at home. Vegas has won only three of their last 10 while holding the number six position in the West.
Brian fears that the Golden Knights may be having too much fun during their long stay in the Sunshine State and could also be looking ahead to the flight home to Sin City after the game. Cam agrees on the opportune timing for Florida and likes a high scoring over.
Los Angeles Kings at New York Islanders -210
LA limps in with a road record of 8-18-4 with only two wins in their last 10 tilts as the last place team in the West. The Isles are 16-7-4 on home ice and have no margin for an expensive loss here. NYI ranks a concerning 21st for goal scoring and 20th for the power play.
Cam likes another high-priced dog with the Kings here. He thinks NYI should not be priced at more than -170. Brian thinks the price may be lower by the time the puck drops.
New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers -230
The Flyers have bossed the cashier’s cage with a home record of 18-4-4. New Jersey ranks ahead of only Detroit for goal differential and has won just three of their last 10. The big Flyers price may force some to gravitate to the puck lines.
The guys both like the over, and Cam also likes underdog New Jersey due to the big price.
Colorado Avalanche -195 at Ottawa Senators (TSN5 & RDS2)
Puck lines may be appealing here as the Avalanche are definitive road chalks and are the top goal scoring team in the NHL. Colorado has won four of their last five. Ottawa has dropped eight of their last 10.
On a card with a lot of pricey chalks, the guys think the Colorado price is actually too low here. Brian sees the Avs as Best in the West and likes them to hoist the Stanley Cup in June. Cam sees Colorado is a complete team with speed, skill, and toughness.
Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues -175 (TSN3)
Despite winning only two of their last 10 games the Jets are just three points out of the final playoff spot in the West. The defending Stanley Cup champion Blues print money at home with a mark of 18-4-4.
Listen to The Hockey Betting Podcast for the analysis of Winnipeg’s most critical game of the 2019-20 NHL regular season!
Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild -127
Vancouver remains the surprise of the league and is now tied for second in the West with the Dallas Stars. This is the fifth and final game of a tough Canucks road trip. Minnesota remains six points out of a playoff spot in the West and ranks 29th for goals allowed and 30th for penalty killing. The Wild is coming off a 3-2 overtime home win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Brain pines for a 5.5 total in this one and thinks this game could sneak over the total, even at six. Cam likes the over as well.
Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames -114 (SN1)
Disappointing Nashville ranks 26th for goals against and 28th for the penalty kill. As a result, the Preds are three points out of a spot for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But Calgary may not be able to take advantage with the NHL’s 26th ranking for goals scored. The Flames have dropped four of their last five with four overs in that span.
Cam likes the Flames due to price and the struggles of the Preds.
Carolina Hurricanes at Arizona Coyotes -110
On Monday’s (02/03/2020) episode of The Hockey Betting Podcast the guys voiced alarm over the Coyotes recent slump. Arizona had lost eight of nine before a much needed 3-0 win over Edmonton on Tuesday to stay in seventh place in the West. Carolina was bombed 6-3 at St. Louis on Tuesday to begin a four-game road swing. The guys correctly called that game over the total on Monday’s podcast.
Brian says as soon as Arizona wins a game, “get on them!” He says they are one of the streakiest teams in the league. Cam will take a shot on Arizona as well with the low price.
San Jose Sharks at Edmonton Oilers -195 (NBCSN)
The trade deadline looms large in San Jose as the Sharks are 10 points out of the final playoff spot in the West. SJS ranks near the bottom of the NHL for goal scoring and goals allowed and has the worst goal differential in the Western Conference. The Oil has won seven of their last 10.
Brian will consider the Edmonton puck line for this one. Cam sees the Oilers as another over-priced favourite but yet still likes The Oil to win this game.
Make sure to listen to The Hockey Betting Podcast to get all of the picks and insight from Brian and Cam.
