NHL Preview and Best Bets (February 9): Hawks Shoot for Stars Sweep

While the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights are the NHL betting favorites, it’s the Tampa Bay Lightning who are the reigning Stanley Cup champions. And early on, it looks like it is going to take a lot to wrestle the Cup away from the champs.

Through 10 games, the Lightning are 8-1-1, and they will aim to keep that scintillating start going tonight when they take on the Nashville Predators. Elsewhere, an exciting East Division matchup between the Washington Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers has been postponed due to COVID concerns.

Here for just the picks? Scroll down to the end, as tonight’s best bets are there. But be sure to check out the pertinent NHL betting trends for all of the action while you’re here.

All NHL odds are via Fanduel Sportsbook as of Tuesday, February 9

February 9 NHL Betting Game of the Day

Chicago Blackhawks vs Dallas Stars

• Time & TV: (NA), 8:30 pm ET
• Moneyline: Blackhawks +126, Stars -148
• Total: OVER 5.5 (-120), UNDER 5.5 (+100)

The Stars and Blackhawks played out a tight contest on Sunday, with the Blackhawks prevailing 2-1 in overtime. The Stars have now won only once in their last five games after opening the season with four straight wins. The Blackhawks are at the other end of the form spectrum, as they have picked up seven points in their last four games. Patrick Kane has nine points (3G, 6A) in that stretch.

Key NBA Betting Trends: The UNDER has hit in the Blackhawks’ last three games and is 5-2-0 in their last seven games.

February 9 NHL Betting: Best of the Rest

Anaheim Ducks vs Vegas Golden Knights

• Time & TV: (NA), 10:00 pm ET
• Moneyline: Ducks +188, Golden Knights -225
• Total: OVER 5.5 (-110), UNDER 5.5 (-110)

The Ducks are looking for their first win in three tries this season against the Golden Knights. The Golden Knights have taken 13 of 14 possible points at home so far, with the only blemish a 5-4 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues on January 26. The Golden Knights have scored four or more goals six times already this season, but they have given up two or fewer goals in six games as well.

Key NHL Betting Trends: The over is 7-2-0 in Golden Knights games this season.

February 9 NHL Betting: Other Games

Detroit Red Wings vs Florida Panthers

• Time & TV: (NA), 7:00 pm ET
• Moneyline: Red Wings +188, Panthers -225
• Total: OVER 5.5 (-125), UNDER 5.5 (+105)

The Panthers won two in Detroit two weekends ago, both by a 3-2 margin. However, the Red Wings took Sunday’s meeting 4-1 to snap an eight-game winless run. Consecutive wins might be asking too much, however. The Red Wings have won consecutive games only twice since the start of 2020.

Key NHL Betting Trends: The UNDER is 5-1-0 in the Panthers’ last six games. It is 9-4-0 in Red Wings games this season.

Edmonton Oilers vs Ottawa Senators

• Time & TV: (NA), 7:00 pm ET
• Moneyline: Oilers -200, Senators +168
• Total: OVER 6.5 (-120), UNDER 6.5 (+100)

The Oilers are 3-0 against the Senators so far this season, with all three wins coming by multiple goals. Will tonight be more of the same? Of the Senators losses this season, eight are by multiple goals.

Key NHL Betting Trends: The UNDER is 6-1-0 in the Senators’ last seven games. Ottawa has scored two or fewer goals eight times in 13 games this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators

• Time & TV: NBCSN, 8:30 pm ET
• Moneyline: Lightning -176, Predators +148
• Total: OVER 5.5 (-120), UNDER 5.5 (+100)

The Lightning have looked in the postseason form already, which is a scary thought for the rest of the league. They enter tonight with five wins in a row. The last four, and six of their eight wins this season, have been by multiple goals. The Predators have been struck down by the Lightning three times already, including last night in a 4-1 defeat.

Key NHL Betting Trends: The Lightning have allowed two or fewer goals in four straight games and in eight of their 10 games thus far this season. Three of those instances are on the road. Unsurprisingly, the UNDER is 3-1-0 in their away games.

Winnipeg Jets vs Calgary Flames

• Time & TV: ESPN+, 10:00 pm ET
• Moneyline: Jets +116, Flames -136
• Total: OVER 5.5 (-135), UNDER 5.5 (+115)

This is the last of a quartet of recent matchups between the Jets and Flames. The first three were in Winnipeg, where the Jets took the last two. The Jets have been pretty adept at lighting the lamp so far, scoring 39 goals in 11 games and scoring four or more goals six times.

Key NHL Betting Trends: The OVER is 6-5-0 in Winnipeg’s games this season, but it is only 1-3-0 in their last four. Meanwhile, the OVER has hit only twice in the Flames’ last six games.

San Jose Sharks vs Los Angeles Kings

• Time & TV: (NA), 10:00 pm ET
• Moneyline: Sharks -120, Kings +102
• Total: OVER 5.5 (-135), UNDER 5.5 (+115)

This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams, neither of which has started well. The Kings come in having lost their last four games and with only one win from five home games. The Sharks won three of their first six games, but they have only one win in their last four.

Key NHL Betting Trends: The OVER is 8-3-0 in Kings games this season. It is 3-1-0 in the Sharks’ last four games, and it is 6-4-0 overall in San Jose’s games this season.

February 9 NHL Betting: Best Bets

• 1. Sharks vs Kings OVER
• 2. Red Wings vs Panthers UNDER
• 3. Edmonton Oilers -1.5 vs Ottawa Senators