Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, February 16

Philadelphia Flyers vs Seattle Kraken

Kraken -1.5 +116 (FanDuel)

The Philadelphia Flyers will take on the Seattle Kraken for the second time this season. The teams faced off only four days ago in Philadelphia, and the Kraken won 4-3 behind two Jaden Schwartz goals. I expect Seattle to have an easier time this game and win 4-2. Bet on the Kraken to cover.

The Flyers do not have much going on this season. Their offense is one of the worst in the NHL and scores less than 2.7 goals per game. They have been extra slow lately and only scored six goals in their previous three games. I do not expect the Flyers to be shut out in this game, but I also do not see scoring more than two goals.

The Kraken are coming off a tough road trip where they went 1-3-1 in five games. Interestingly, their one win was against the Flyers in Philadelphia. Seattle will now return home for two games before flying to San Jose. They have an opportunity to return to form in these two games and will likely do so. Seattle has a great offense and just needs a change of environment, so they can return to playing at a high level. I expect them to put up at least four goals this game. Bet on Seattle to cover.

New Jersey Devils vs St. Louis Blues

Devils Moneyline -154 (FanDuel)

Our first bet was a little risky, so I decided to throw a safer bet in as the second one. The New Jersey Devils will face the St. Louis Blues for the second and final time this season. 

The Devils have been surprisingly good and have 73 points in 52 games. However, their opponents, the Blues, have been disappointing and have 51 points in 52 games. They are ten points out of the Wild Card race, and things are looking bleak for them. 

Normally, I would advise you to bet on the Devils to cover, but they are playing on the road, so this game will be close. Play it safe, and bet on the Devils’ moneyline.

As I mentioned above, the Devils are playing on the road, which makes this bet interesting. 

New Jersey is actually performing much better away from home, but they will be traveling to St. Louis for this game and taking on a Blues team that has loud fans and always packs out the arena. 

The Blues have an average offense, but their defense has been causing them a lot of problems. Their defense allows 3.6 goals per game. To put that into context, only five teams have worse defenses than that in the NHL. While St. Louis defensemen do have the occasional strong game, they are not consistent and will likely be the primary reason the Blues lose this game. Bet on the Devils’ moneyline.

San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights

Over 6.5 goals -110 (FanDuel)

The San Jose Sharks will go to battle with their division rivals, the Vegas Golden Knights. 

These teams may be rivals, but they are having significantly different seasons. The Sharks are one of the worst teams in the NHL and only have 45 points. They are going through a rebuild and will probably trade away some of their better players before the Trade Deadline. On the other side, the Golden Knights are quite impressive; not only are they the best team in the Pacific Division, but they are also on a three-game winning streak and have scored 17 goals in those three games. 

Since the Golden Knights are scoring at such a high clip, I would bet on the over.

I will talk about the Sharks first. They have a bottom-ten offense and average exactly three goals a game. Their shot output is concerningly low at 29.7, which plays a large role in their slow offense. With that being said, I expect them to score two or three times this game. The Sharks only scored once in their previous game but have scored three or more regulation goals in three of their last five games.

The Golden Knights offense is firing on all cylinders right now. They are coming off a 7-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks and scored five goals each in their two games before that. 

I would not be surprised if they put up five or more goals again this game. They are playing at home and facing a Sharks squad that allows 3.62 goals per game, so it not that unlikely they will score that much. Bet on the over.

Winnipeg Jets vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Jets -1.5 +120 (FanDuel)

This is a little bit of a risky bet, but one worth making. The Jets are clearly better than the Blue Jackets but are playing on the road. Things get a little more dicey on the road, but I would still bet on the Jets to cover the spread. This is partially because they are really good but also because the Blue Jackets are struggling this season. Columbus has lost four of their last five games and is already looking on to next season. Bet on the Jets to cover.

The Jets missed the Playoffs last season but are playing like a completely new team this year. They have 67 points and are within striking distance of the Dallas Stars for first place in the Central Division. The Jets are also on a three-game winning streak and have won by six combined goals in that time. I expect them to crush this Blue Jacket’s defense. 

I spoke poorly of the Blue Jackets’ defense above, but their offense is not much better. Columbus averages 2.43 goals per game and only scored twice in their previous game against the New Jersey Devils. This game may be even harder as they face a Jets squad with a top three defense. I do not see them scoring more than three goals. Bet on Winnipeg to win 4-2 and cover the spread.