Media by Associated Press – Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) drives the puck past Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram (4) and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
The NHL slate is light Monday night, with only five games on the schedule. However, with teams battling for playoff positioning, every point gained will be important for every team as the season gets later into the schedule. Here’s a look at a few NHL bets worth betting on this Monday.
Florida Panthers at Minnesota Wild (-110)
The Wild need to stabilize the ship during their current home stand. Minnesota is 4-6 over its past ten games but has only won one game in regulation during that stretch. Where the Wild have struggled is with scoring consistently.
Minnesota only scores 3.0 goals per game, which ranks 24th in the league. Defensively, however, Minnesota has been good, only allowing 2.9 goals and 30.3 shots per game. The Wild have tumbled into a tie for the final Wild Card spot with Calgary.
Florida has won three of its past four games and is within three points of catching Pittsburgh for the final Wild Card spot. However, the Panthers have played more games than the Penguins and can’t afford to give away too many more points.
Florida has struggled defensively, allowing 3.4 goals per game and opponents to convert on 75.2 percent of its power-play opportunities. The Wild will grind out a close win at home.
Detroit Red Wings (+106) at Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks, with their coach situation especially, have been a mess this season. Over the past ten games, Vancouver is 3-5-1 but is 2-0 straight up when playing as favorites. The Canucks have been a team that doesn’t mind ending up in a firefight.
The Canucks are eighth in the league in goals per game and 31st in goals allowed. Collin Deia has seen the majority of the action in the net for Vancouver and has a 3.27 goals-against average this season. The Red Wings aren’t much of a threat to make the postseason, but they have been playing solid hockey recently.
Detroit is 5-4-1 over its past ten games. The Red Wings have also been decent away from home, compiling a 9-9-5 record. Detroit will be able to score enough to grab a victory.
Buffalo Sabres at Los Angeles Kings (-155)
The Kings are coming off a dominant performance, a 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and have collected at least a point in four of their past five games.
Where Los Angeles has been especially dangerous on the power play, converting 24 percent of their opportunities to rank ninth in the league. The Kings also don’t give their opponents many opportunities.
Los Angeles is fifth in the league in shots allowed, giving up 28.8 per game. The Sabres have lost three straight games, including the last two, by a combined nine goals. While Buffalo’s offense is among the best in the league, the Sabres’ defense has had its share of struggles. Heading out west will make life tough on the Sabres.
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