Thursday NHL: Peterson picks Rangers vs Sabres, Capitals vs Islanders, and Penguins vs Bruins
New York Rangers (-134) @ Buffalo Sabres (+295), 7 pm EDT
Following an impressive 5-2 victory over the No. 1 ranked team in the East Tuesday night – the Washington Capitals – the New York Rangers are looking impressive.
6-4 in their last 10 and averaging a staggering 4.4 goals per game, the Rangers will face a strugglling Buffalo Sabres squad that just can't catch a break. The Sabres have lost nearly 20 games in a row and are averaging 1.5 goals per game in their last 10 while allowing 4.2. Take New York on the Puck Line here.
PICK: New York Rangers -1.5
Washington Capitals (-106) @ New York Islanders (-114), 7 pm EDT
Winning 8 of their past 10 games, the Washington Capitals sit at the top of the Eastern Conference. Despite losing 5-2 to the New York Rangers Tuesday night, there is no shame in losing to a Rangers team that is red-hot right now. The Capitals are averaging 3.7 goals per game and allowing 2.5.
The Capitals travel to Long Island where the New York Islanders will play host. On March 16, Washington defeated New York by a score of 3-1. The Islanders are 6-4 in their last 10 games and are averaging 3.1 goals per game while allowing 2.7. This should be an absolute slugfest between the top 2 in the East, but take Washington on the Moneyline as the Capitals should prevail.
PICK: Washington Capitals Moneyline (-106)
Pittsburgh Penguins (+108) @ Boston Bruins (-130), 7 pm EDT
The Pittsburgh Penguins have gone under 5.5 total goals in 8 of their last 10 games and are averaging 3.1 goals per game while allowing an average of 1.5. The Boston Bruins have also gone under 5.5 in 8 of their last 10 games, averaging an equal 2.3 goals per game and 2.3 allowed lately.
This game is No. 3 vs. No. 4 in the East. In mid-March, the teams split two games. I like the Penguins here on the Moneyline but also strongly suggest you consider investing in the under as the statistics show that both teams are going under 80% of the time lately.
PICK: Pittsburgh Penguins ML (+108), Under 5.5