May 6, 2021 | The Hockey Betting Podcast Our "knuckle-dragging Neanderthals" open the show with rave reviews of the Rangers-Capitals 3-fight opening draw on the May 6, 2021 episode of The Hockey Betting Podcast. Brian Blessing and Cam Stewart discuss the relevant purpose of fighting in the NHL, how it differs from dirty play, and how fighting keeps dirty play in check. Betting favorites becomes a shaky play as the end of regular season quickly approaches, and new betting angles come in to play as teams prepare for the playoffs or vacations. Listen to this episode of The Hockey Betting Podcast for all of Brian and Cam's hockey handicapping, NHL insights, and free picks. Thursday, May 6, 2021 NHL Betting Lines, Analysis, Picks New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders Can anyone trust the New York Islanders after what happened in Buffalo? Somebody sure does, with the Isles' moneyline actually thinning beyond a consensus (-240) at various NHL betting books. New York Rangers at Boston Bruins The New York Rangers have played their way out of Stanley Cup contention, and oddsmakers predict the Bruins to ambush the Rangers. Boston Bruins (-1.5) stands at (Even) odds for a faceoff with a steady (5.5) O/U total. Buffalo Sabres at Pittsburgh Penguins A rising O/U total (6) highlights a game for which gamblers are not biting on Buffalo after watching the Sabres earn two fat money line wins against the Isles. Pittsburgh's line to win has swelled to (-350) with early shifting. Chicago Blackhawks at Carolina Hurricanes The (6) goal total is falling for Thursday's faceoff in Raleigh, but that doesn't mean bookmakers don't think the Hurricanes (-310) will dismiss the eliminated Chicago Blackhawks. Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs Finally, an NHL underdog's recent handiwork shines through on the hockey odds board, as bettors pass on the Montreal Canadiens (+190) following the Habs' latest debacle in Ottawa. Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers With the Vancouver Canucks preparing to walk the plank for the dumbest series of NHL games ever, the solid Edmonton Oilers are a (-260) money line favourite to win and keep the pressure on North Division-leading Toronto. Friday, May 7, 2021 NHL Betting Lines, Analysis, Picks Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets National-team scouts will be thick in an otherwise restricted Friday crowd in Ohio. It might not be a barrel of laughs for the laptop brigade, with a Columbus vs Detroit O/U total reaching Dante's barrel-bottom at (5) goals. Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Washington Capitals money lines of (-195) are strangely steady for a club that's still three losses away from potentially finishing fourth in the East Division. Perhaps NHL bettors are more focused on the Caps' (-1.5) puck line, or on a shrinking (6) goal total. Dallas Stars at Tampa Bay Lightning Most handicappers would agree the Dallas Stars are desperate compared to Tampa Bay (-165), but effort can only take a team so far on its own. Five games of lost and dropped points brings the Stars to a must-win scenario in Florida. Anaheim Ducks at Minnesota Wild Minnesota has surprisingly lost two in a row at home. Is it time for the guys to hold up a stop sign on another heavily-juiced (-275) favourites' market against the dead-in-the-water Anaheim Ducks? Or will Cam and Brian argue for a parlay-play on a team that's bound to rebound? St. Louis Blues at Vegas Golden Knights The St. Louis Blues are surging to the finish line and outplaying common opponents of the Vegas Golden Knights (-165), but the public still likes Friday's host to prevail straight-up. Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings NHL speculators are less enthused about Colorado's puck line (+100) on Friday, even against the L.A. Kings, who checkmated themselves out of a Stanley Cup bid with another slump late in the season. Arizona Coyotes at San Jose Sharks The Arizona Coyotes will play their final two games of the year in San Jose. With no hope of a playoff bid, will the Coyotes go through the motions, or play loose and easy pond hockey to help cover a (5.5) total? Saturday, May 8, 2021 NHL Betting Lines, Analysis, Picks New York Rangers at Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres at Pittsburgh Penguins Ottawa Senators at Winnipeg Jets New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators Anaheim Ducks at Minnesota Wild St. Louis Blues at Vegas Golden Knights Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers Arizona Coyotes at San Jose Sharks Sunday, May 9, 2021 NHL Betting Lines, Analysis, Picks Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks Ottawa Senators at Calgary Flames Monday, May 10, 2021 NHL Betting Lines, Analysis, Picks New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers An optimistic goal total for Monday night's Philadelphia Flyers (-150) vs New Jersey Devils contest has shrunk to O/U (6) with early betting action, as NHL speculators consider the shaky morale of two teams eliminated from Stanley Cup contention. Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators Nashville has officially clinched a playoff spot, and the Predators (+115) will be as interested in scouting the Carolina Hurricanes as beating them. With sighs of relief in both dressing rooms, will Monday's game turn into a fun free-for-all? Bookmakers aren't counting on it, with the O/U goal total at (5.5). Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks Team USA and Hockey Canada scouts will hover around a last hurrah for the 2020-21 Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks, desperate to find somebody, anybody who will compete for World Championship gold on short notice. Chicago is only a (+135) underdog to sweep the final two-game tilt. Edmonton Oilers at Montreal Canadiens An opening goal total of (6.5) has dropped by a half or whole tally at various sportsbooks, as the star-studded Edmonton Oilers (-115) buoy the more-popular of the two North Division money lines. New York Islanders at Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins (-165) draw the lion's share of action on odds-to-win thanks to a New York Islanders club slumping at exactly the wrong time. The Isles recently lost three games in a row to the NHL's weak sisters, but did regain some semblance of pride in a 5-1 blow-out of New Jersey on Saturday. Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Two clubs moving in opposite directions met on Saturday, with the Florida Panthers extending their win streak via a 5-1 dismissal of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Alexander Wennberg's hat trick is a welcome sight with the Stanley Cup playoffs approaching, but it's Florida's overall form that has turned the Panthers (-125) into a trendy favourite in a season-capping rematch. Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets There's no way for the Vancouver Canucks to play spoiler on Monday night, but the Winnipeg Jets (-170) are under pressure to stand tall on home ice after losing an inordinate number of games over the last few weeks. St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings NHL bettors appear shy to pick the St. Louis Blues (-135) with Ryan O' Reilly's club simply waiting for Lord Stanley's tournament to begin. Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights Monday's faceoff drawn at identical (-110) money lines is not a regular-season finale for the Vegas Golden Knights or Colorado Avalanche. However, the Golden Knights can clinch a West Division title with any kind of victory, while the Avs get a final opportunity to look sharp against an NHL front-runner before concluding their schedule against lowly Los Angeles. Tuesday, May 11, 2021 NHL Betting Lines, Analysis, Picks Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals Injuries are piling up for the Washington Capitals (-110), who are nonetheless drawing bets at standard ML odds against the visiting Boston Bruins, thanks to home ice and a (slightly) superior W/L record. Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg may be obvious about coasting to the finish line, but there's no more downtrodden NHL team than the Vancouver Canucks, helping to cast the motivation-less Jets as a (-170) favourite to win Tuesday's late battle. Listen to this episode of The Hockey Betting Podcast for all of Brian and Cam's NHL insights, situational handicapping plays, and hockey betting entertainment.
