NHL Tuesday betting preview: Trust the Stars in the Big Apple

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We enjoyed a solid start to the week by nailing the Florida Panthers' team total over 2.5 (-120) and 3.5 (+180) goals, though we did lose the under at Madison Square Garden.

Let's improve Tuesday night.

GOATs and scapegoats

Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk had never scored more than four goals in a season before last night when he potted his first career hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Talk about an unlikely hero putting the team on his back. GOAT move, Pysyk.

There are a couple of things we can blame for our failed under bet. First, the referees, who weren't interested in letting the boys play last night at MSG. They called 11 minor penalties, which led to four power-play goals in the first period alone, setting the tone for the game and effectively ending any hope of hitting the under. Similarly, we can blame the brutal penalty-killing efforts by both teams or, instead, look to New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who allowed five goals on just 21 shots.

Tuesday's bets

New Jersey Devils (+110)

Carey Price is out with the flu and the Montreal Canadiens are coming off a tough loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, which has left them reeling in the playoff chase. Charlie Lindgren (0-3 this season) will start for the Habs, who have lost seven straight against the Devils. Also, look to play New Jersey's team total over 3.5 goals (+190).

Winnipeg Jets under 0.5 first-period goals (+145)

The Jets have been shut out during the first period in each of their last 10 games at home to the Nashville Predators, including earlier this month in a 1-0 loss. That's far too dominant of a trend not to tail, especially at this price. I'd also play the Predators -0.5 in the first period (+175) if you're feeling up to it.

Arizona Coyotes (-125)

All the info says to back the Edmonton Oilers here. They've won five of their last six in Glendale and three of the last four on the road, while the Coyotes are reeling with five losses in a row and defeats in eight of their last nine. But this game is absolutely massive for Arizona, which is in danger of dropping out of a wild-card spot. I expect Rick Tocchet to get an impressive performance out of his team, while this is also a letdown spot for the Oilers after an emotional victory against the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Best bet

Dallas Stars (+110)

Has any team come crashing down to earth quite like the New York Islanders have? They went from a virtual playoff lock and potential Stanley Cup contenders to possibly on the outside of the postseason picture depending on tonight's results. New York was 22-7-2 on Dec. 16 but has since gone 7-12 straight-up. The Isles have lost eight of their last 10 at home as regression has hit them hard.

The Stars have been one of the best teams in the NHL since mid-October and are enjoying themselves on this eastern swing. They enter this contest on no rest but have been profitable in such a situation all season, posting a 5-2 record on the road in the second game of back-to-backs. Dallas is unquestionably the better team and can be had at a bargain.

Trend of the night

Seven of the last 10 games started by Ottawa Senators goalie Marcus Hogberg have gone to overtime or shootout.

All five of Hogberg's starts against teams not currently occupying a playoff spot - such as tonight's opponents, the Anaheim Ducks - have gone beyond 60 minutes. There's real value in backing this game to go to overtime at +300.

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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