Editor’s Note: Now, all our premium tools for Fantasy, DFS and Betting are included in one subscription at one low price. Customers can subscribe to NBC Sports EDGE+ monthly ($9.99) or save 20% on an annual subscription ($95.88). And don’t forget to use promo code SAVE10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
The National Hockey League is back in full swing Tuesday night, with thirteen games set to be played.
Below you will find overlays from four of tonight’s games available at PointsBet.
For those unfamiliar with the term “overlay,” it simply refers to odds that are higher than an outcome’s true probability.
For example, if an outcome has a 50% chance of happening, the correlating odds would be +100.
If the odds offered on that specific event are +150, or an implied probability of 40%, then the price would represent an overlay.
ST. LOUIS BLUES at DALLAS STARS (Stars -1.5, -150 ML, OU 5.5)
In a battle of teams that will not be playing with their full complement of players, St. Louis offers better value.
Despite being without Brayden Schenn, James Neal, Robert Thomas, David Perron, and both of their starting goaltenders (Jordan Binnington and Ville Husso), the St. Louis Blues enter tonight’s game in Dallas winners of three of their last four.
Dallas, on the other hand, has dropped three consecutive games following a seven-game winning streak that spanned from late November through early December.
The Stars are also expected to be shorthanded on Tuesday night, likely playing without Alexander Radulov, Roope Hintz, and Luke Glendening.
St. Louis is rated considerably higher in my power ratings than Dallas currently is (8th v. 20th), sitting roughly 0.6 goals ahead of the Stars entering tonight’s game.
Given the moneyline price available on the Blues (+140; implied probability of 41.7%), it is hard to make an argument against them being the better value in this spot.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS at EDMONTON OILERS (Maple Leafs -1.5, -121 ML, OU 6.5)
The Edmonton Oilers’ success relies on their ability to outscore their opponents, as they are far from the most imposing defensive team in the NHL.
When the offense goes cold, it becomes exceedingly difficult for Edmonton to win games – as has been the case over their last five.
The Oilers have scored just eight goals in their last five games.
Unsurprisingly, they have lost all five.
Enter the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that could stake their claim as the best team in the National Hockey League (although I have them rated seventh).
Toronto has seen their defense get a bit sloppy over the past two weeks, yielding twenty-six goals over their last six games.
That is the negative; the positive?
The Maple Leafs have scored twenty-seven goals over that same stretch, illustrating just how impressive Auston Matthews and company have been recently.
I have more faith in Leafs’ goaltender Jack Campbell righting the ship than I do either Mikko Koskinen or Stuart Skinner for Edmonton, making Toronto’s puck line an intriguing option in tonight’s game.
There is a case to be made that Toronto’s moneyline odds of -121 (implied probability of 54.8%) are fair, however I am not crazy about betting $121 to win $100 on any hockey game.
The Leafs’ puck line odds of +180 (implied probability of 35.7%) are much more appetizing.
The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS at VANCOUVER CANUCKS (Canucks -1.5, -145 ML, OU 5.5)
The Vancouver Canucks are buzzing right now.
Winners of four straight and six of their last seven games, the Canucks are easily playing their best hockey of the season.
Victories over solid competition like Carolina, Winnipeg, and Boston has Vancouver fans thinking (or hoping) the team has turned a corner.
This may very well be the case, however the odds discrepancy in tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets is far too dramatic.
Columbus may be 2-6 in their last eight games, yet they have played better than this record would suggest.
Among those six losses, the Blue Jackets lost the following hotly contested battles:
- 2-1 to Anaheim
- 5-4 to Toronto
- 3-1 to Washington
- 3-2 to Dallas
With a bit of puck luck, these results could have gone the other way.
If that would have been the case, tonight’s odds would be much tighter – perhaps even to the point of Columbus being favored.
My power ratings have Columbus rated as the better team, making the Blue Jackets’ moneyline odds of +125 (implied probability of 44.4%) enticing.
SEATTLE KRAKEN at SAN JOSE SHARKS (Sharks -1.5, -140 ML, OU 5.5)
The Seattle Kraken have come back down to earth following a nice stretch of hockey spanning from late November to early December.
Now, losers of three straight entering tonight’s game in San Jose, the Kraken appear primed to drop their fourth consecutive game following a seven-game stretch in which they went 5-2.
EDGE Finder tells us Seattle typically struggles following a last-out loss.
This season, the Kraken are 6-11 (-4.71 units) following a loss, with ten of the eleven losses coming by at least two goals.
This piece of information makes the San Jose Sharks’ puck line odds of +170 (implied probability of 37%) even more attractive.
James Reimer is set to get the start in net for San Jose, hoping to build upon his impressive numbers (1.98 GAA, .937 SV%).
The combination of Reimer getting the call against a reeling Kraken squad make San Jose’s puck line a play that must be considered.
THE PLAYS
St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars – Blues ML (+140)
Toronto Maple Leafs at Edmonton Oilers – Maple Leafs -1.5 (+180)
Columbus Blue Jackets at Vancouver Canucks – Blue Jackets ML (+125)
Seattle Kraken at San Jose Sharks – Sharks -1.5 (+170)
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner, and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
