NHL Betting Guide for February 27th

There’s plenty to get excited about on Saturday with 14 games on the NHL slate. Puck drops early, with four games scheduled for the afternoon and 10 more from 7 pm EST onwards.

Here’s what we’re looking at today!

Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Moneyline, Total, and Odds

Moneyline: Panthers +100, Hurricanes -118

Spread: Panthers +1.5 (-295), Hurricanes -1.5 (+235)

Total: O5.5 -134

Odds to Win Stanley Cup: Panthers +2400|Hurricanes +1300

Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk-free for up to $1,000!

Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes News, Analysis, and Picks

Low-key, Florida Panthers versus the Carolina Hurricanes, will be the best game of the night. Florida currently sits atop the NHL Central, just three points ahead of the Hurricanes, clinging to the division’s final playoff spot. What’s been most impressive about these teams is how dominant they have been from an advanced metrics perspective.

The Canes rank third in the league with an expected goals-for percentage of 54.0%. The Panthers are close behind at 53.5%, ranking seventh in the league. But they have taken different paths to assert their dominance.

Carolina relies on a free-flowing offense that generates a lot of chances. They rank first in scoring chances and high-danger chances per game and second in shots per game, which has resulted in the ninth-ranked goals-per-game at 3.3.

When you create that many scoring opportunities, you’re not too worried about teams catching up with you. As a result, the Hurricanes give up more than a few opportunities against, but with only six regulation losses through 19 games, they’ve found their recipe for success.

Defense is the name of the game for the Panthers. They have given up the fewest opportunities against per game, from both scoring and high-danger metrics. That has resulted in the second-lowest expected goals-against in the league at 2.3 a game. That’s not to say that the Panthers don’t create chances; they rank in the top half of the league in production metrics, but it’s defense that wins games for the Panthers.

The betting market implies that the Hurricanes are the better team, and that’s with James Reimer in net. But Florida is further ahead in the standings and will use home-ice and their defensive structure to neutralize a potent offense. With these contrasting styles, it will be a game of give and take that will need longer than 60 minutes to resolve. 60 Minute Tie +310 is worth the investment.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, Moneyline, Total, and Odds

Moneyline: Oilers +100, Maple Leafs -118

Spread: Oilers +1.5 (-280), Maple Leafs -1.5 (+225)

Total: O6.5 -128

Odds to Win Stanley Cup: Oilers +1600|Maple Leafs +800

Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk-free for up to $1,000!

Edmonton Oilers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs News, Analysis, and Picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be dealing with injuries when they take on the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night. Wayne Simmonds is out. Auston Matthews is day-to-day. Frederik Andersen is not likely to play, which means that Jack Campbell should start. Joe Thornton and Jake Muzzin returned to practice on Friday, but Muzzin will be getting adjusted to a new face shield to protect his broken face. That’s a lot of uncertainty for a Leafs’ team favored, on the road, against a team that has won five straight and 11 of 13.

Toronto has been much less assertive on the road. They have posted an expected goals-for percentage above 50.0% in just three of them through eight games. Despite getting outplayed most of the time, they have collected six wins and posted a PDO of 1.027. Both of those metrics suggest that the Maple Leafs are running out of puck luck on the road.

The Oilers offense is clicking right now. They have 12 or more high-danger chances in five of seven and 30 or more scoring opportunities in four of seven. It will not surprise you to hear that the increased production has resulted in more goals. Edmonton is averaging 3.9 goals per game over their last seven and score on 12.4% of their shots. That has brought up their season-long average to 11.6%, where it is likely to stay.

Health is a major concern for the Leafs, and they have concerning road metrics. The Oilers are operating on both sides of the puck right now, and plus-money at home feels like a gift. Edmonton moneyline is the right side to be on.

Here’s something Oilers fans don’t get to see often — balanced scoring. Since this time last week, the Oilers have put up 14 goals. Surprisingly, those goals have come from seven different players. Jesse Puljujarvi has complemented Connor McDavid nicely and has at least three shots over his last two games. Puljujarvi also benefits from getting 66.3% of his starts in the attacking zone and has used that to his advantage in recording a goal in three of his last five games. Puljujarvi’s goal prop is set at over 0.5 +280 and is a bet worth making.