Bet NHL Monday: Peterson picks Islanders vs Penguins, Ducks vs Avalanche, Wild vs Sharks
New York Islanders (-107) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (-103), 7 pm EDT
Having seen a total of 9 goals Saturday between these 2 clubs, a repeat of that is highly unlikely as New York will prioritize defense and Pittsburgh specializes in allowing few goals. The Penguins have gone under in 7 of their last 10, and the Islanders have gone under in 5 of their last 10. In addition to this, consider the fact that Pittsburgh is averaging 1.6 goals against per game and New York is allowing an average of 2.4. Despite the total going way over on Saturday, lean on the under here as this game should be a grinding, gritty defensive stalemate of sorts.
PICK: Under 5.5 (-110)
Anaheim Ducks (+260) @ Colorado Avalanche (-315), 9:00 pm EDT
The Colorado Avalanche are one of the hottest teams around right now. Winning 8 of their last 10, everything is clicking for the Avs. Despite falling short in their last outing against the top team in the Central Division – Las Vegas, their stock is still skyrocketing and this loss is nothing but a bump in the road.
Averaging 4+ goals per game lately and only allowing 1, Colorado will look to make easy work of the struggling Anaheim Ducks. Losing 7 of their last 10 games, Anaheim is trending downward both offensively and defensively. Pick Colorado on the Puck Line here.
PICK: Colorado Avalanche -1.5
Minnesota Wild (-162) @ San Jose Sharks (+140), 10:30 pm EDT
The Minnesota Wild are one of the top teams in the Central Division sitting at #3 behind Vegas and Colorado. Minnesota averages just under 3 goals per game while allowing 2.3, whereas San Jose is allowing more goals per game than they're scoring (3.3 allowed vs 2.65 scored). The Wild have won 8 of their last 10, and soundly defeated San Jose on Feb. 22 by a score of 6-2.
The Moneyline here should be much steeper on the Minnesota side, so at this price of -162, sign me up because I'm jumping all over it before the books catch on and it skyrockets! The Wild should thrive here- even in shark infested waters.
PICK: Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-162)