Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, April 8

The race for the NHL playoffs is coming down to the final days and the final teams can compete. Some teams are fighting themselves somehow in a position to secure a wild card spot while others are falling quickly. This Monday will be a great opportunity for another decision to be made regarding teams in the playoffs. Two teams who have not yet secured a spot for the postseason are set to appear and play against high-caliber playoff teams. These will make great bets for today's actions and game line or in other categories through DraftKings Sportsbook.

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Monday

• Moneyline: Penguins (+136) | Maple Leafs (-162)

• Puck Line: Penguins +1.5 (-185) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+154) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs (TOR) at DraftKings

Bet on Maple Leafs Here

One team that is shocking many people in the NHL world to be in the race for the postseason are the Pittsburgh Penguins (36-30-11). They were a team that should have been considered dead in the water after trading their star young forward in Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. While they significantly struggled in the beginning, they have since found new life as future Hall of Famer has been on fire.

The Penguins have four consecutive games as well as six of the last seven games. Most of the teams they have defeated are playoff-caliber teams, including the Hurricanes, the Washington Capitals, and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This Monday night, the Penguins will get another test as they go on the road to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (44-23-9). The Maple Leafs clinched their eighth consecutive trip to the playoffs this past Friday after the Philadelphia Flyers and the Capitols both lost. Toronto has won four of the last five games played thanks to their elite offense that might give the Penguins’ defense some serious problems.

Toronto is ranked third in the league in goals per game (3.62) and has scored 19 goals through the last five games played. They are facing a Penguins’ defense that is ranked 11th in the league in goals allowed per game (2.95).

The biggest battle of the night might be the Maple Leafs’ defense holding down a rejuvenated Penguins offense. Pittsburgh is ranked 20th in the league in goals per game (3.03) while the Maple Leafs are allowing an average of 3.09 goals per game (17th in the league).

Both teams are finding more consistency in their second-best units, but the Maple Leafs are more trustworthy at this point in the season.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Vancouver Canucks

• Time: 10:00 PM E.T. - Monday

• Moneyline: Golden Knights (+100) | Canucks (-120)

• Puck Line: Golden Knights +1.5 (-238) | Canucks -1.5 (+195) 

• Total: Over 6 (-105) | Under 6 (-115)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Van Golden Knights (VGK) at DraftKings

Bet on Golden Knights Here

The final game of the night is set for a Western Conference Pacific divisional battle between two teams that are capable of making a serious run for the Stanley Cup title. The Vegas Golden Knights (42-26-8) go on the road to take on the Vancouver Canucks (47-22-8) for a fourth and final matchup of the season.

Vegas has won two of the three matchups this season including the most recent game on April 2. In that game, the Golden Knights outscored the Canucks 4-1 in the first period and even got to a 5-1 lead early in the second period. Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault accounted for a goal and two assists.

The Golden Knights have yet to clinch a spot in the Western Conference but are on the verge. Vegas has won six of the last eight games played but is coming off an incredibly disappointing 7-4 road loss to the Arizona Coyotes last Friday. Before their most recent loss, the Golden Knights’ defense was stout.

The Canucks are currently on a tough streak that the Golden Knights were on a couple weeks ago. Vancouver has lost four of the last six games played, including the loss to Vegas on the road. They have also lost six of the last 11 games played as their offense has been inconsistent through these last few weeks. Overall, the Canucks are hit or miss, which is a dangerous game to play in terms of sports betting or on the ice.

The Golden Knights have the momentum going into this game and have shown they can win on the road versus the Canucks.