NHL Picks of the Week

While ice hockey is the red-headed step child of professional sports, you can still cash in big using my weekly NHL betting picks. This weeks picks include the Kings, Caps & Lightening. Happy hunting!

NHL Picks of the Week

How will Edmonton perform at the Staples Center versus Los Angeles on Nov. 17? Will it be Detroit or Washington on Friday, Nov. 18? Can Tampa Bay beat Philadelphia on the road this Saturday?

Edmonton at Los Angeles
When:  Thursday, Nov. 17 at 10:30 pm ET
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: FSWHD

Analysis: Edmonton travels to Los Angeles with a 9-6-1-0 record. The Oilers lead the Pacific Standings. That makes this game against division rival Los Angeles extra meaningful. How has Edmonton, one of the teams that many pegged to finish last in the Pacific, risen to the top of the division?

It’s hard to say. One thing that is obvious is that going into this week, the Oilers have lost 3 matches in a row. But those 3 losses were to Pittsburgh, Dallas, and the New York Rangers. The Kings should be a much easier foe for the up and coming Edmonton Oilers, right?
Maybe not. The Kings’ home battle against Edmonton on Thursday night comes after 4 straight road matches. L.A. figures to be due for a win after losing 3 of their first 4 on the road. I think the Kings get it done on Nov. 17

Pick: Los Angeles

Detroit at Washington
When:  Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 pm ET
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
TV: TVA

Analysis: The Washington Capitals host the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, Nov. 18. Washington is one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2017. So far, the Capitals haven’t disappointed by going 9-4-0-1. Does Detroit have any shot against the Caps in the Verizon Center on Friday?

Detroit last fought Washington on Dec. 8, 2015. In that match, the Red Wings took Washington into overtime and then lost 2 to 3 in a shootout. But the Red Wings have won only 2 out of their last 7 matches to start the week.

I don’t see Detroit doing enough to counter Washington’s excellent defense. The Wings average only 2.4 goals from 28.2 shots per match. The Caps score 2.6 goals from over 30 shots on average per match.

At home, where the Caps are 4-2 as of Nov. 13, Washington takes it.   

Pick: Washington

Tampa Bay at Philadelphia
When:  Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1:00 pm ET
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
TV: SUN/CSN

Analysis: The Lightning head to Pennsylvania to battle the Flyers in one of Saturday’s top match ups. To start the week, Philadelphia is 7-7-1-1 to start the week. The Lightning, a pre-season favorite to win the Cup, are at 8-6-0-1.

The last time that these 2 teams battled each other, Tampa Bay was on the losing end of a 1 to 3 match. Philadelphia played well in that one. But that battle was on March 11. The Lightning average 3 goals per match.

Philly’s D allows 3.6 goals on average per match. It’s hard to see the Flyers’ defense stopping the Lightning in this game. I’ll back Tampa Bay to get it done.  

Pick: Tampa Bay