NHL weekly betting preview: Urgency builds for slumping Oilers, Predators

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It was a bit of a frustrating weekend as we took one step forward and one step back before finishing at .500. A couple of nice 'dogs came through to help ensure a profit, but it wasn't as much as we'd have liked.

Here's to a perfect week ahead, yeah?

Game betting

Colorado Avalanche at St. Louis Blues (Monday)

The Blues continue to march along swimmingly despite a laundry list of injuries, having won six of their last nine. The Avalanche are dealing with some injuries of their own, particularly on the back end, but there's no stopping them right now. Colorado has lost just once in its last nine, which includes winning four in a row on the road. The Avs simply offer too much value as road 'dogs in St. Louis.

For a bonus play, back the under here. Six or fewer goals have been scored in 12 of the last 14 meetings between these teams in Missouri.

Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars (Monday)

The Oilers are in a tailspin, having lost seven of nine, and they're barely holding onto a playoff spot ahead of an incredibly difficult two-game southern road trip. The Stars are a juggernaut on home ice, and they should give Edmonton - which has been struggling to score - all sorts of trouble. The Stars have beaten the Oilers in seven of their last eight visits to Dallas and are worth backing here despite the high price (-170 to -180). If you don't want to lay that much juice, pick the Stars to win in regulation at -120.

Nashville Predators at New York Islanders (Tuesday)

While the Oilers are barely holding onto a playoff spot, the Predators would kill to be in that position right now. Nashville is way too talented to be sitting sixth in the Central Division, seven points back of a playoff spot. Coach Peter Laviolette's job is hanging in the balance and this could prove to be a decisive week for him. It won't be easy against the Islanders on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back and the third game in four nights. This is just the second back-to-back of the season for the Preds, who were shut out the last time and have lost six in a row in this spot. Don't think twice about taking the Isles.

Montreal Canadiens at Vancouver Canucks (Tuesday)

Both of these teams are near the top of the NHL in goals scored, but those numbers have dwindled of late. The Canucks are playing much tighter games at home than the 7-5 thrillers they were producing earlier in the year, while the Canadiens have clearly emphasized playing good defensive hockey since their losing streak. Take the under here at anything six or higher.

New York Islanders at Boston Bruins (Thursday)

While the Islanders remain an absolute force on home ice, their away form hasn't been as inspiring of late. Both wins in Florida were impressive, but they've otherwise struggled when traveling. The Bruins just endured a worrisome five-game losing streak (Blackhawks, Avalanche, Senators, Capitals, Lightning) before beating the Panthers on Saturday. They're in need of a statement win, and you should trust them to get it at home on Thursday.

Minnesota Wild at Arizona Coyotes (Thursday)

This game deserves a lot more attention than it's likely to get. The Coyotes are entering this week atop the Pacific Division and the Wild are one of the hottest teams in hockey. But while Arizona has posted a remarkable record away from home, it's gone just 8-8-1 in the desert. Minnesota is winning everywhere right now and has claimed eight of its last 11 in Phoenix. The Wild offer a ton of value as road 'dogs and should be backed in this spot.

Game props

Arizona Coyotes at San Jose Sharks (Tuesday)

Since firing Peter DeBoer, the Sharks have played twice at home and haven't allowed a goal in the first period of either game. That bodes well for a matchup with a Coyotes team that's hit the first-period under in nine of its last 10 on the road. Back the under 1.5 goals in the opening 20 minutes.

Edmonton Oilers at St. Louis Blues (Wednesday)

The last time the Oilers scored more than three goals in St. Louis was December 2009. Since then, Edmonton has been held to three goals or fewer in 16 straight trips to St. Louis while scoring two or fewer in nine of those. Back the Oilers' team total under 3.5 (lay the juice) and under 2.5.

Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers (Thursday)

Much like Edmonton can't score in St. Louis, Buffalo can't score in Philadelphia. The Sabres have managed two or fewer goals in 10 of their last 13 trips to face the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Bet on that happening again here with Buffalo's team total under 3.5, 2.5, and even 1.5 if you're feeling frisky.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.

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