The 2021/22 NHL season is three weeks old now, giving us plenty of form to go on when making our picks.
So far it’s been an intriguing season with some of the pre-season favorites struggling to get fully into gear.
Early Stanley Cup betting favorites Colorado Avalanche have already lost four of their opening nine matches, while the Vegas Golden Knights have done even worse, losing five of their matches so far.
In the betting to win the 2021/22 Stanley Cup, the Colorado Avalanche are still the favorites with the best online sportsbooks. This, despite their sticky start, which includes their latest loss, a 5-4 (O/T required) defeat to the Blue Jackets on Wednesday.
The Avalanche started the season at +450 and has only seen their odds slip to a best price of +575.
While the Golden Knights have slipped from +650 pre-season to +1100 after their start.
| Stanley Cup 2021/22 Betting Odds |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +500 | +575 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +800 | +950 |
| Florida Panthers | +800 | +900 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +900 | +1100 |
| New York Islanders | +1800 | +2200 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1200 | +1100 |
| Boston Bruins | +1400 | +1600 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1200 | +1200 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1200 | +1100 |
| Minnesota Wild | +2000 | +2000 |
Right, now it’s time to have a look at tonight’s matches and get some NHL betting picks!
The first match I want to look at today involves the surprise package in the Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets.
So far this season the Jets are 5-2-2 and are sitting 2nd in the Central Division. Not one of the pre-season favorites, the Jets are still outsiders for Stanley Cup, where they can be backed at +3500.
This says that not many expect them to stay at the top end of the Central Division. Despite this, BetUS still have them priced up as the betting favorites tonight.
The Blackhawks have a 1-8-2 record so far this season, and it’s fair to say they are not having much luck with the fixture list.
In their last outing, they faced the Carolina Hurricanes, and now they are up against the Jets.
The Blackhawks did lead after two, but were ultimately undone by strikes from Jesper Fast and Martin Necas in the third. They eventually lost 4-3.
They can take heart from that defeat into Friday’s match-up with the Jets though. Also helping the Blackhawks cause is that the Jets have already lost twice this season, and not many are giving them a chance in the long run.
In other words, the Jets are in a false position.
With a +1.5 start, take the Blackhawks to win on the Puck Line.
Another match I want to take a look at is the New York Rangers’ trip to Canada to face the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers have had an outstanding start to the season and boast an 8-1-0 record, and have won their last three.
They are already a minus price with the sportsbooks in the betting to win their division.
BetOnline has them at -120 to win the Pacific Division, and they are also +450 second favorites to win the Western Conference.
As for the New York Rangers, they’ve had a good enough start to the season. They currently sit second in the Metropolitan Division with a 6-2-2 record.
Their 3-2 O/T defeat to Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday brought to an end a three-match winning streak.
I expect the Oilers to keep their impressive run going tonight.
I’m split between playing safe and taking the Oilers to win on the Money Line with BetOnline at -153.
But assuming they are going to win, if they can do it by 2 scores, as opposed to 1 score, they are +160.
Of the eight matches the Oilers have won this season, five of them have been by more than the 1.5 points they would need to beat the spread tonight.
Included in those wins have been 5-1 and 5-3 away victories last month.
But more appropriate to tonight’s match, three 5-2 home victories.
Those wins came over the Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, and on just last Wednesday, the Nashville Predators.
I could go either way on this pick, but I just think that the Oilers are in good nick, scoring heavily, and are well worth taking the extra chance on.
Therefore I’m taking the Oilers to win on the Puck Line for my NHL betting pick.
Make sure you keep it here at SportsBettingSites for all the latest NFL betting odds and picks.
There is plenty more action across the weekend, and our sportsbooks reviews can point you in the right direction to get the most out of your NHL betting.
About the Author
Dean is primarily a fan of English football who regularly attends games, and combining his hobby with his job, he is now a full-time sports betting writer. Rather than going down the educational route into sports journalism, Dean learned his trade by writing for his English football betting website since 2009, where he now boasts nearly 15 years of experience. After writing about football daily for years, Dean has taken the skills he learned and now uses them to great effect writing for numerous affiliate sites across the internet. A general all-around sports enthusiast with a passion for English football and cricket, Dean is also well able to turn his hand to writing about golf, tennis, F1, boxing, snooker, darts, and North American sports. Combining his extensive knowledge and experience with British humor and wit, Dean has developed into a trusted voice within the sports betting industry.
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