As the early NHL slate comes to a close, that’s where the real fun begins. On the other side of the continent, there’s a whole lot of hockey to be played.
So activate your strobe lights and blast “Levels” by Avicii so loud your neighbors file a complaint, because we have another edition of NHL Late-Night Best Bets.
Let’s dive into my NHL best bets, predictions and picks for Monday, March 2.
NHL Late Night Best Bets, Monday, March 2
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 10:00 p.m. | |
  | 10:00 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Stars vs. Canucks
Wyatt Johnston is only 22 years old and he’s in the midst of his third straight 30-goal season.
That is insane production.
And he’s been doing most of his damage on the power play. Out of his 32 goals, a league-leading 20 of them have come when the Stars have the man advantage.
Well, he may end up with another tuck by the end of the night.
The Dallas Stars fly into Vancouver, where the Canucks continue to wallow in the pit of misery. It’s a team in total despair, holding the worst record in the league by 10 points.
While the Canucks don’t find themselves in the penalty box a ton, they do have the league’s worst penalty kill, succeeding at a porous 70.9% clip. I’m also not crazy about their goaltending. We may end up seeing Nikita Tolopilo, who’s been fine, but chances are even worse if Kevin Lankinen gets the nod.
Either way, given how dominant Dallas is on the power play and Johnston’s prowess, I like his odds at +125 to tuck one in tonight.
And if you want to get nuts, I’m not opposed to throwing a half unit on him reaching 4+ shots on goal. He’s cleared that mark in both games since returning from the Olympic break.
Then put .25 units on a goal and 4+ shots for a +268 parlay? Let’s ride.
Pick: Wyatt Johnston Anytime Goal (.5u)/ 4+ Shots on Goal (.5u) / +268 Parlay (.25u)
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Hurricanes vs. Kraken
Seattle hasn’t looked great since returning from the Olympic break, but in its defense, tonight will be the Kraken’s fourth game in six nights.
So I imagine that there will be some sluggish legs here.
The Carolina Hurricanes come into town looking like they haven’t lost a step either. They came back from the break defeating the red-hot Lightning, and then stomping on the Red Wings both at home.
Tonight’s game in the Pacific Northwest will be the first of a four-game west-coast road trip, and I don’t anticipate many struggles here.
The Kraken may be in a solid position to fight for a playoff spot, but I’m fairly low on them. Since returning from the break, they’re posting a bottom-10 43.92 xGF% at 5-on-5, and a fourth-worst 3.43 xGA/60.
Meanwhile, Carolina has among the most efficient 5-on-5 rosters in the league, ranking fourth in offense and 10th in defense. Also factor in a red-hot goalie in Brandon Bussi (who I still have reservations about).
Either way, I’m fading the Kraken hard tonight, and taking the Canes in regulation.
Pick: Hurricanes 60 Minute Line (-115)
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Avalanche vs. Kings
This is more of a calculated risk, but I’ve always been a big believer in “new coach luck.”
Teams that just fire their coach usually come in with a strong sense of fire in the next game and end up either winning or coming really close.
The Los Angeles Kings are fighting for their lives right now, and in a last-ditch effort to spark a fire in the boys, Ken Holland fired head coach Jim Hiller and replaced him with DJ Smith.
Smith is a players' coach, and even though he hasn’t had a ton of regular-season success (that’s what coaching in Ottawa gets you), he’s always found a way to connect with his team.
This will be Anze Kopitar’s last season in the league, so Holland, if anything, you wonder if the Kings have it in them to fight for their captain.
There have been times when they’ve looked a bit slow, which is why a new coach may just be what the doctor ordered.
Losing Kevin Fiala for the season is a horrible blow, but they made up for the loss by acquiring Artemi Panarin, who still looks like he can go. Since arriving in L.A., he’s posted three assists in three games.
It’s always risky to bet against the Colorado Avalanche, but the Avs have been a bit suspect since the turn of the calendar year.
I’m riding with momentum here, and backing the Kings to cap off the late night.
Pick: Kings ML (+145)
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