NHL sports betting experts around the league will argue that the first 10-15 games of the regular season will give a good indication of where a team will end up in the final standings with consideration to injuries in all circumstances. The regular season is already approaching that 10-game mark, and as we enter the third weekend of the year, here is a quick look at some of the key matchups for this Saturday.
San Jose Sharks @ Boston Bruins
Saturday, 7:00 PM ET
The defending Stanley Cup champions have learned in a hurry that if they want to get back to the big game they are going to have to fight for it, although not in a literal sense. Fighting and unnecessary penalties led to Boston’s undoing in a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, a game in which they probably could have won trailing by just one goal late in the third before coming undone. One of the biggest problems for the Bruins this season has been their inability to score goals, something that has also hurt San Jose through their 1-3-0 start with an average of just 2.5 per game themselves. The Sharks will be the more desperate sportsbooks team on the road in this game, and with more offensive firepower they should be able to find a way to frustrate the Bruins.
NHL Betting Pick: San Jose Sharks – 110
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Montreal Canadiens
Saturday, 7:00 PM ET
Fans won’t forget how quickly the Maple Leafs unraveled a year ago at this point, and it could very well happen again this season with a tough schedule that continues in Montreal. The Canadiens have also been among the league’s slow starters although injuries have contributed in that department, but with winger Mike Cammalleri set to make his return from a knee injury it should provide a spark for their offense. Montreal cannot afford consecutive losses against a division rival this early, and they should be able to get one back at home as they fight for their first win at the Bell Centre this season.
NHL Betting Pick: Montreal Canadiens
Dallas Stars @ Los Angeles Kings
Saturday, 10:30 PM ET
Two of the most improved teams in the NHL will be on the ice at the Staples Center as the Kings and Stars clash in a meeting of Pacific division best sportsbook favorites. Los Angeles has started strong despite having to open their season overseas, and they will look to keep that going against a Dallas team that opened the year with four wins on home ice but split their first two on the road. The acquisition of Mike Richards up front gives the Kings the secondary scoring that they had been missing, and with the goaltending tandem of Jon Quick and Jonathan Bernier pushing one another for starts there is little doubt this team is on the verge of becoming Stanley Cup contenders out of the Western conference.
NHL Betting Pick: Los Angeles Kings