Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, February 24

Minnesota Wild vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs -1.5 +124 (FanDuel)

Our first bet of the day may be the riskiest one. It involves the Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs. These teams are facing each other for the second and final time this season. They went up against each other in late November, and the Maple Leafs won 4-3. Toronto will again succeed against the Wild and even cover the spread. Bet on the Maple Leafs -1.5.

The Wild are a solid team and on a four-game winning streak, but have a couple of major disadvantages heading into this game. The apparent disadvantage will come from playing on the road. Minnesota is mediocre on the road but facing a Maple Leafs’ team that is dominant at home. Toronto has a 22-6-4 home record at the Scotiabank Arena. Minnesota is also at a disadvantage because they will not be well-rested. 

The Wild faced the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, while the Maple Leafs' previous game was on Tuesday. Toronto has two full days of rest before this matchup, and the Wild have none. These factors will lead to Toronto’s success and Minnesota’s failure. Bet on the Maple Leafs to cover.

Buffalos Sabres vs Florida Panthers

Panthers Moneyline -182 (FanDuel)

Our second bet of the day is significantly safer. It takes us to Sunrise, Florida for a game between the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers. These teams have already faced each other twice this season, and the Panthers have won both games by scores of 4-3 and 4-1, respectively. The Panthers will have success once more this game and beat the Sabres. Bet on the Panthers’ moneyline.

These teams’ records are nearly the same. The Sabres have 62 points and are in sixth place in the Atlantic Division, while the Panthers have 64 points and are in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. However, the Panthers will win because they are playing at home and have shown that they know how to beat the Sabres. 

I will elaborate a little bit more on the Panthers in this paragraph. The Panthers are yet to face the Sabres in Florida. Their previous two wins were on the road in Buffalo. Buffalo is a tough environment to win in, and the Panthers have done it twice. If you add in home-ice advantage, it only increases Florida’s odds. Bet on the Panthers’ moneyline.

Ottawa Senators vs Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes -1.5 +100 (FanDuel)

Our third bet of the day takes us to Raleigh, North Carolina, for an interesting matchup between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes. These teams are yet to face each other this season, so this will be a game to watch. With that being said, the Hurricanes will handle business and cover the spread. Bet on the Hurricanes -1.5.

The Hurricanes are having another strong season and sit in first place in the Eastern Conference. 

They have a well-rounded team and can make a deep playoff run if they stay healthy. Carolina has two competent goaltenders in Antti Raanta and Frederik Andersen and also have a handful of scorers and competent defensemen. If that is not convincing enough, I will add this. Carolina is deadly at home and has a 20-6-2 record at the PNC Arena. They are also on a four-game winning streak and have beaten their opponents by a combined 11 goals in that time. 

All in all, the Hurricanes have a significantly better team than the Senators and are firing on all cylinders. Bet on Carolina to cover.

Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers

O 6.5 Goals +104 (FanDuel)

Our fourth bet of the day will be our only over/under bet. It is a touch risky, but I would bet on the over in this upcoming Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers game.

Neither of these teams have impressive offenses, but they also do not have impressive defenses. This will likely lead to many goals for each team and put them on the over. The Canadiens only score 2.67 goals per game but also allow 3.63 goals per game on 34 shots. I do not expect them to win, but I expect them to score three goals and probably give up four. On the other side, the Flyers score 2.68 goals per game but allow 3.2. 

I realize they typically have a slow offense but have shown that they can score four or more times a game; Philadelphia put up four goals on the Calgary Flames two games ago and has scored four or more times on 15 separate occasions this season. 

I expect seven goals in this game, so I recommend betting on the over.

Los Angeles Kings vs New York Islanders

Islanders Moneyline -120 (FanDuel)

Neither of these teams have impressive offenses, but they also do not have impressive defenses. 

This will likely lead to many goals for each team and put them on the over. The Canadiens only score 2.67 goals per game but also allow 3.63 goals per game on 34 shots. I do not expect them to win, but I expect them to score three goals and probably give up four.

On the other side, the Flyers score 2.68 goals per game but allow 3.2. I realize they typically have a slow offense but have shown that they can score four or more times a game; Philadelphia put up four goals on the Calgary Flames two games ago and has scored four or more times on 15 separate occasions this season. 

I expect seven goals in this game, so I recommend betting on the over.

Los Angeles Kings vs New York Islanders

Islanders Moneyline -120 (FanDuel)

Our final bet of the day takes up to Long Island for a battle between the Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders. These teams play in separate conferences, so this is their first matchup of the season. On paper, it is difficult to tell who will win, but the Islanders have home-ice advantage and are a little bit hotter, so I would bet on them. Bet on the Islanders’ moneyline.

The Kings have a few more points than the Islanders this season but have lost their previous two games. In addition, most of their wins lately have come against subpar teams. They will fight in this game and keep it close but will not have what it takes to win this tough road battle.

Above, I spoke about why the Kings will lose, but now, I will speak about why the Islanders will win. The main reason is the Islanders have momentum. 

They won their previous two games against formidable Jets and Penguins teams. They also recently traded for Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks. Horvat is a natural goal scorer and has already started to greatly improve the Islanders’ offense. Finally, we come to home-ice advantage. The Islanders are playing at home and simply perform better at home. Those three reasons will lead to their victory. Bet on the Islanders’ moneyline.