Media by Associated Press – Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) watches face off against the New Jersey Devils during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Things are nearing their conclusion for the NHL season. As the Wild Card standings tighten up, each team is attempting to maximize the number of points they get from every game. Here’s a look at three bets to make for Monday night.
Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators (+118)
The Panthers, albeit briefly, had passed the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot with a 5-2 win over Detroit last Monday. However, everything has fallen apart for Florida over the past week.
The Panthers’ defense hasn’t been able to stop anyone from scoring, as Florida has allowed 16 goals and lost three straight games. Now, Florida, which is three points out of the playoffs, is in a position where it can’t afford to drop many more points. The Panthers average 3.47 goals per game and allow 3.43.
Ottawa is 2-2-1 over its past five games. The Senators score 3.14 gals per game and have a strong power play at 23.9 percent. Ottawa will extend Florida’s struggle and grab a win.
Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres (-205)
The Sabres have been a team that is capable of large offensive explosions. Buffalo also is a team that struggles with consistency. Over the past ten games, the Sabres are 3-5-2 and have won two consecutive games. While Buffalo has been a more offensive-minded team, the Sabres took down the Islanders with a 2-0 victory their last time out.
Montreal has been one of the worst teams in the NHL this season. The Canadiens are hoping to continue to show the fight they’ve put up recently. Montreal crushed Columbus last time out and gave Boston a spirited battle before that. The Canadiens have seen the total go over in five of their last seven games.
Buffalo will win a third straight game and continue to keep its faint postseason hopes alive by beating the Canadiens. The Sabres and Canadiens have split their two meetings this season. Buffalo won the last meeting between the two teams, 7-2.
Seattle Kraken at Minnesota Wild (-136)
The Wild have won three of their past four games. Minnesota picked up an impressive win over New Jersey in overtime and beatdown Chicago 3-1 during its last season. Meetings between the Kraken and Wild have been mostly one-sided affairs.
The teams have split their two meetings, with each game ending in a shutout. Minnesota prefers and is comfortable in games that are lower scoring. The Wild have allowed 2.64 goals per game this season behind the strong goaltending of Filip Gustavson and Marc-Andre Fleury.
Seattle has been an effective scoring team this score, pocketing 3.51 goals per game. The Kraken limits its opponents to 3.15 goals per game. Seattle is 7-2-1 over the past ten games.
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