An action-packed 14 faceoffs are scheduled for the last Saturday of October, so we will pinpoint and focus on four of those contests. Here are our best picks from NHL betting sites in America.
Minnesota Wild (5-0-2) at Philadelphia Flyers (1-5-1)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 1:08 p.m. ET |
| Money Line/Spread | Minnesota (-130/-1.5 (+185), Philadelphia (+110/+1.5 (-225)) |
| Total | 5.5 (over -120/under +100) |
| Pick | PHI (money line) |
The Minnesota Wild visit the Philadelphia Flyers in a Saturday matinee to kick things off in the NHL, riding a four-game win streak on their seven-game road trip. Minnesota is 4-1-0 and have scored three or more goals in their last four games, highlighted by a 4-2 road win at the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday as Kirill Kaprizov posted two goals with an assist for his fourth straight multipoint game.
The Flyers have lost six straight games since a season-opening 3-2 shootout win at the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 11. In their last outing, they dropped a 6-3 road loss at the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Matvei Michkov and Owen Tippett each scored a goal with an assist to help the Flyers come back in the game, but it was too little too late.
Michkov has scored three goals with four assists (seven points) through his first seven games of his NHL career and continues to improve in each game he plays to help reenergize his franchise. However, it doesn’t help that his team has been outscored, 31-16, in the early portion of their season.
I’ve picked the Flyers the past couple of games hoping they will come out of it, but to no avail. One last chance with the home crowd for just the third time this season. Take the Flyers in a one-goal game to spark things and to tame the Wild.
| Player | Anytime Goal Scorer Odds |
|---|---|
| Michkov (PHI) | +270 |
| Kaprizov (MIN) | +110 |
| Mats Zuccarello (MIN) | +260 |
Utah Hockey Club (4-3-1) at Los Angeles Kings (4-2-2)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 4:08 p.m. ET |
| Money Line/Spread | Los Angeles (-150/-1.5 (+165), Utah (+125/+1.5 (-200)) |
| Total | 6 (over +100/under -120) |
| Pick | LOS (money line, puck line) |
After a hot start to the season, the Utah Hockey Club has cooled down a bit, losing four of their last five games as they enter Saturday afternoon’s road contest at the Los Angeles Kings. Utah is coming off a 5-1 home loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday as Lawson Crouse scored Utah’s lone goal and goalie Karel Vejmelka made 21 saves.
The Kings are coming off a 3-2 home-opening win over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday for their third triumph in their last four games. Warren Foegele scored two goals and Jordan Spence had one goal all in the first period for the win.
Alex Laferriere and Kevin Fiala each lead the team in goals with four apiece for the Kings.
Los Angeles had been on the road long enough and they treated their fans to a home opener celebration on their return. The celebration will continue today with another Kings win on both the money line and puck line.
| Player | Anytime Goal Scorer Odds |
|---|---|
| Anze Kopitar (LOS) | +240 |
| Dylan Guenther (UTA) | +260 |
Toronto Maple Leafs (4-4-0) at Boston Bruins (3-4-1)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 7:08 p.m. ET |
| Money Line/Spread | Toronto (-110/+1.5 (+250), Boston (-110/-1.5 (+200)) |
| Total | 6.5 (over +108/under -132) |
| Pick | BOS (money line) |
The Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Boston Bruins in an early-season matchup where you thought their records would be better at this point.
Toronto has lost two straight and three of their last four games including a 5-1 home rout by the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored the Maple Leafs’ lone goal of the game in the second period.
William Nylander leads the team in goals with five, with a trio of players (Auston Matthews, Bobby McMann, and Matthew Knies) each having three scores apiece for Toronto.
The Bruins have been in a quagmire the early part of the season, having lost three straight games including a 5-2 home loss to the Dallas Stars Thursday. They have been outscored 11-3 during their skid. David Pastrnak leads the Bruins with five goals and is tied for the team lead in points (six) with Cole Koepke.
With both teams tied on the money line at -110 each, I’m going to stick with the Bruins to get the job done at home and maybe show a bit of passion in another edition of this original six matchup.
| Player | Anytime Goal Scorer Odds |
|---|---|
| Auston Matthews (TOR) | +100 |
| Pastrnak (BOS) | +110 |
| Pavel Zacha (BOS) | +320 |
Pittsburgh Penguins (3-4-1) at Vancouver Canucks (3-1-2)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 11:08 p.m. ET |
| Money Line/Spread | Vancouver (-175/-1.5 (+135), Pittsburgh (+145/+1.5 (-160)) |
| Total | 6.5 (over -120/under +100) |
| Pick | VAN (money line, puck line) |
The Vancouver Canucks return home after a successful 3-1-0 East Coast trip to face the Pittsburgh Penguins. Vancouver is coming off a 6-3 road win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday as Danton Heinen scored two goals and J.T. Miller added one goal with two assists. Goalie Kevin Lankinen made 31 saves.
The Penguins make the long trip out West hoping to snap a four-game losing streak. Pittsburgh dropped a 4-0 road decision to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday as they were outshot, 50-27, in the loss. During the skid, they have been outscored, 18-7, and Friday’s loss was their second shutout defeat of the season.
Lars Eller and Rickard Rakell lead the team in goals with four apiece for the Penguins.
Back-to-back games are always tough, especially after a long trip. Look for the Canucks to continue their winning ways in easy fashion.
Game Prop: Under 6.5 (+100).
