Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, March 28

The chase for the postseason is getting more tight with each passing day. This Thursday night is going to bring a huge slate of games that will make an impact on the race for the postseason. These games are also going to bring a significant amount of betting opportunities through DraftKings. These are bets that have incredible value to potentially elite playoff contenders with some being against bad teams. Look for the chance to earn some significant winnings through DraftKings.

For more betting opportunities, check out our best NHL betting bonuses and promo codes.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Thursday

• Moneyline: Flyers (-155) | Canadiens (+130)

• Puck Line: Flyers -1.5 (+160) | Canadiens +1.5 (-192) 

• Total: Over 6 (-108) | Under 6 (-112)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Immediately!

My Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (PHI)

One of the night's biggest early games with great betting value is the Eastern Conference matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers (36-27-10) at the Montreal Canadiens (27-32-12). This game has one of the lowest game line bets, which is surprising due to the nature of the playoff implications for both teams.

The Flyers are sitting in third place in the Metropolitan Division but just by only one point over the Washington Capitals. More wins and more consistency would help the Flyers maintain their place in the standings without having to fight for a Wild Card spot. Unless the Canadiens pull forth a miracle and go on a serious winning streak, they are among the next teams to be eliminated for the postseason from the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia defeated Montreal in a 3-2 shootout in the only game of the season between these two teams on January 10. After the Flyers’ defense allowed two goals from the Canadiens in the first 11 minutes of the game, the defense held them scoreless and it was the Flyers that stole the rhythm.

The Flyers are looking to get out of their tough month-long process of losses since starting the NHL All-Star Break with four solid wins. They have lost three of their last four games.

The Canadiens haven't exactly been impressive through most of the season. Montreal has been terrible in March by winning only two of the nine games played until their most recent two consecutive wins at the Seattle Kraken and at the Colorado Avalanche.

Don't be fooled by the Canadiens' recent win streaks, they are still among one of the worst teams in the league on both sides of the ice. The Canadiens are ranked 28th in the league in goals per game (2.7), while the defense is ranked 26th in goals allowed per game (3.37). The Flyers are a slow and methodical offense, but their productivity has dropped by ranking 23rd in the league in goals per game (2.92). Their defense is efficient enough to keep them in playoff contention by allowing an average of 3.05 goals per game (17th in the league).

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Winnipeg Jets

• Time: 8:00 PM E.T. - Thursday

• Moneyline: Golden Knights (+110) | Jets (-130)

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

• Total: Over 6 (+105) | Under 6 (-125)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet $5 get $150 instantly!

My Pick: Winnipeg Jets (WPG)

One of the biggest games of the night is set for an explosive Western Conference battle as the Vegas Golden Knights (39-25-8) go on the road to take on the Winnipeg Jets (44-22-6). This game tonight will be the third and final game between these two high-power playoff contenders.

The Golden Knights won the first game of the season on October 19th when they scored two goals in the second and third. Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault scored three goals in that game. The Golden Knights would get another win over the Jets just a few weeks later at home winning with a 5-2 score. Marchessault had another three-goal performance.

A lot has changed since those two early-season matchups for both teams. The Jets have become one of the most efficient and productive teams not only in the Western Conference, but in the entire NHL. The Golden Knights have gone through some rough patches as they have suffered significant losses and were unable to rebound in certain portions of the season. The Jets are in third place of a loaded Central Division while, the Golden Knights are currently in possession of the final Western Conference Wild Card spot.

Vegas has won three of the last four matchups, but their victories are against opponents who are not considered playoff contenders. After a significant run through March, Winnipeg has lost four consecutive games with three of them being on the road. Both their offense and defense have been without energy in those four games.

While Winnipeg is not the elite scoring offense they want to be by averaging 3.07 goals per game (17th in the league), it is their defense that has been keeping the team afloat among the elite teams in the league. The Jets are ranked second in the league in goals allowed per game by allowing an average of 2.44 goals per game.

The Golden Knights have been getting more efficient on offense but are just barely above the Jets. Vegas is averaging 3.17 goals per game (15th in the league). Their defense is just outside of the top ten in the league as they allow an average of 2.94 goals per game.

Look for Winnipeg to take this revenge game and regain their momentum just in time for the postseason in a few weeks.

Nashville Predators vs. Arizona Coyotes

• Time: 10:00 PM E.T. - Thursday

• Moneyline: Predators (-170) | Coyotes (+142)

• Puck Line: Predators -1.5 (+150) | Coyotes +1.5 (-180) 

• Total: Over 6 (-110) | Under 6 (-110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet $5, Get the Bonus Bets of $150.

My Pick: Nashville Predators (NSH)

The final game of the night might be one of the mismatched matchups as well. The Nashville Predators (43-25-4) are set to go on the road to take on the Arizona Coyotes (30-37-5). This game tonight will be the fourth and final matchup of the season between these two Central Divisional rivals.

The Coyotes won the first two matchups this season, with one being a high-scoring affair and the other being a game where defense prevailed. The Predators were finally able to get revenge on February 10 when they defeated the Coyotes at home 5-4 in overtime.

Since the third game, the Coyotes have been one of the most disappointing and inconsistent teams in the league. Nashville, on the other hand, has been a team that has been on fire in rising 30 Western Conference standings. They have gone to 18 consecutive games where they have accounted for a point.

The Coyotes are below average on both sides of the ice and have been getting worse through the second half of the season. Arizona is ranked 22nd in the league in goals per game (2.93) and goals allowed per game (3.28).

The Predators, on the other hand, have been getting better as the season has progressed. They were a team that had been steady throughout the season, but they picked up intensity after the All-Star break and Trade Deadline. Nashville ranks 12^th in the league in goals per game (3.25) and 10^th in goals allowed per game (2.92). They are a team that has become dangerous to face this late into the season.

Nashville has won 16 of their last 18 games played with their only losses being in overtime. They are considered a dark horse team to bet in the race for the Stanley Cup Finals. Until then, expect the Predators to get revenge on a Coyotes team that has lost 20 of their last 27 games played.