NHL Thursday best bets: Dancing with the Devils in Boston

We have a juicy nine-game slate scheduled for Thursday, which means there are a lot of enticing options on the betting board.

Let's take a look at three that stand out as we look to rebound from a tough night on the ice.

The only other matchup this season between the Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins featured a whopping nine goals. However, I see value in the under here.

Minnesota is playing defense as well as anybody in the NHL. Over the last 10 games, the Wild comfortably rank first with just 1.74 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes of five-on-five play. That mark stems from an unmatched stinginess in preventing high-danger chances. Minnesota has allowed 6.4 per 60, which equates to just over one high-danger chance for every 10 minutes of hockey. That's remarkable.

The Penguins also rank near the top of the league in both categories over their last 10 games, although they're a little behind the Wild. Pittsburgh has conceded 2.2 expected goals (fourth) and 10.27 high-danger chances (ninth) per 60 minutes during that stretch. Neither team is giving up much at full strength.

The goaltending matchup looks pretty good as well. Cam Talbot has gone through ups and downs this season, but he's riding a high right now. Talbot has posted a .920 save percentage or better in seven of the last eight games.

Meanwhile, Tristan Jarry owns a .921 save percentage this season and sits eighth in the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected (+16.2).

Both teams' collective firepower makes this pick a little scary. However, their stingy defenses, backed by capable goaltending, should get us to the finish line.

Bet: Under 6.5 (-105)

The New Jersey Devils are a better team than their record indicates. Much better.

Take their last 10 games, for example. The Devils controlled 59.49% of the high-danger chances at five-on-five. That ranks them fifth in the NHL during that stretch, sandwiched between the Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes. That's great company to be keeping.

While the Devils haven't always won as a result, they've covered spreads whenever the goaltending has been remotely decent.

Nico Daws is not yet a good NHL goaltender. He's much better than Jon Gillies, though, and he's competent enough to keep the Devils in games they belong in.

New Jersey has either won, or lost by a single goal, in eight of Daws' last 10 starts. It's not like the competition has been soft, either. The Devils have wins, or covers, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, and Colorado Avalanche during that span.

I expect the Boston Bruins to come out with purpose following a somewhat embarrassing home loss to the Maple Leafs. While they're likely to prevail, I like New Jersey's chances of keeping this game within striking distance.

Bet: Devils +1.5 (-120)

Betting a Maple Leafs game to go under is about as scary as it gets. That's where the value lies in this game, though.

Believe it or not, Toronto has played strong defense of late. The team ranks sixth in attempts against, fifth in high-danger chances against, and third in expected goals against per 60 over the last 10 games. Shaky goaltending has made the Leafs look a lot more vulnerable than they actually are.

The good news is they're drawing a Winnipeg Jets side that currently has a lot working against them. They're without their best offensive weapon in Kyle Connor due to COVID-19 protocols. The Jets are also in the latter half of a road back-to-back, which means they'll almost certainly try to avoid a track meet.

Connor Hellebuyck's status isn't yet confirmed, but he's expected to start with the Jets in desperate need of every point. Hellebuyck enters on a high note, owning a .926 save percentage while appearing in nine of Winnipeg's last 10 contests.

At plus money, we have to roll the dice that the Maple Leafs can get a save and keep the scoring in this game reasonable.

Bet: Under 6.5 (+110)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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