Article 66SPV NHL Tuesday best bets: Jets to defend home ice

NHL Tuesday best bets: Jets to defend home ice

by
Todd Cordell
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We have a jam-packed night of NHL action ahead of us with 12 games scheduled for Tuesday's slate. Let's look at a couple of the best ways to attack it.

Golden Knights (+115) @ Jets (-135)

The Vegas Golden Knights enter this contest in quite a rut. They have lost as many times (five) over the last 10 games as they did over their first 20.

When they do win, they're just squeaking by; they've picked up one regulation win over the last three weeks.

Those are not flattering results and, quite frankly, they might be better than deserved. Vegas has controlled just 45.89% of the shot attempts - and 44.70% of the expected goals share - over the last 10 games, putrid numbers that leave the Golden Knights bottom six in both categories.

Why have they gone from world-beaters to a run-of-the-mill team? In a word, injuries.

Jack Eichel is their best, and most dynamic, player. He is out. So are Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, All-Star-caliber defensemen who combine to chew up more than 45 minutes per night.

Surviving without one of those players is difficult enough. Avoiding a huge drop-off without all three is borderline impossible - and the proof is in the pudding.

I think they're going to have a difficult time against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. The Jets have been better at five-on-five under Rick Bowness, they have a very dangerous power play, and Connor Hellebuyck remains one of the league's best goaltenders.

There's a lot to like about this Jets team, which seems a little undervalued against a Golden Knights side that's missing a ton of punch. Back the home team at a more than fair price.

Bet: Jets (-135)

Capitals (-200) @ Blackhawks (+170)

The Chicago Blackhawks have won just one of their last 10 games and are full value for it. They have been absolutely abysmal.

At five-on-five, the Blackhawks have controlled around 40% of the shot attempts and expected goals. They sit 30th or worse in each category, keeping company with the lowly Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes.

They are getting their clock cleaned at full strength every night and I don't see that changing against the Capitals, who are playing their best hockey of the season. Washington has won seven of the last 10 games and posted an xG share of nearly 54% in that time.

Alex Ovechkin is firing on all cylinders, John Carlson is back doing John Carlson things, and the Caps are starting to get more balance in the lineup with better health.

The Capitals should be able to create a wealth of chances against a Blackhawks team that can't defend a lick. That's especially problematic with Petr Mrazek scheduled to be in net.

Mrazek owns an .884 save percentage and has conceded 7.4 more goals than expected. His average of minus-0.882 goals saved above expected per game ranks him 51st among the 56 netminders to appear at least nine times this season.

I expect the Capitals - long known for their clinical finishing - to do some real damage.

Bet: Capitals in regulation (-130)

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

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