Another Saturday in November means another full slate of NHL games. For those paying attention, the Florida Panthers have the best record in the NHL at 12-2-3. The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the hottest teams in the league right now having won nine of their last ten games.
The Anaheim Ducks, who have not made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, are 8-1-1 in their last ten games and are tied for second place (with Calgary) in the Pacific Division with a record of 10-5-3. Will these teams and their success continue? Here are the top five picks for Saturday, November 20 2021.
Calgary Flames vs. New York Islanders
Best Bet: FLAMES +100
The Flames are currently second in the Pacific Division. They have only lost twice in regulation in their last ten games. Calgary, for some reason, is exceptionally good on the road. They are 9-3-5 overall and 7- 2-2 away from home.
Calgary has the highest goal differential in the Western Conference. Johnny Gaudreau (19 pts), Elias Lindholm (18), and Matthew Tkachuk (15) are all among the top 50 scorers in the NHL.
The Islanders are solid defensively – fifth in goals against average – but they have problems scoring. The Flames win another on the road.
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Best Bet: BOSTON -129
The Bruins have won three of their last four and five of their last seven by holding opponents to two or fewer goals. In losses to Edmonton and Toronto, Boston gave up five goals apiece.
Philadelphia has only scored more than two goals in two of their last ten games. They scored three in a win over Arizona on Nov. 2 and three in a loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday night.
The Bruins are 6-3-1 in the last ten against Philly. The Bruins defense has been solid that last two times out. It will again tonight.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Penguins vs. Maple Leafs Picks
Best Bet: OVER 6
The Maple Leafs are hot. They have won nine of their last ten games. The defense has been very good. Toronto has allowed 0, 1, or 2 goals in seven of their last ten games. Over those ten games, the Leafs are allowing an average of just 1.8 goals per game.
The Penguins have got some of their stars, like Sidney Crosby, back in the lineup. It hasn’t helped all that much. The defensive end has given the Pens trouble. They rank 24th in the NHL in goals against per game. Pittsburgh has lost three of its last four and allowed six goals each in two of those losses.
Bad defense plus a hot Toronto will make for some nets lighting up. Back the Over.
St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars
Best Bet: BLUES +100
The Blues hit a rough patch and lost four straight before rebounding to beat San Jose 4-1 on Thursday night.
Stars goalie Braden Holtby is out for this game. Dallas has issues scoring as well though they did beat Detroit and Philadelphia last week and scored five goals in each game. Still, the Stars are 27 th in the NHL in scoring.
With St. Louis at plus-money on the moneyline, there is just more value there. The Blues are 5-2-1 on the road. Back them to win in Dallas.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Blue Jackets vs. Golden Knights Picks
Best Bet: OVER 6
Columbus has won five of its last seven games. In those five wins, the Blue Jackets are averaging 4.6 goals per game. Vegas has won six of its last eight and in the Knights six wins they have averaged 4.8 goals a game.
This shouldn’t be a surprise – the Over is 7-0 in the Blue Jackets last seven games. The Over is 6-2 in Vegas’ last eight games. Expect both teams to keep the net operators busy. Back the Over.
