NHL picks: Islanders vs. Bruins, Red Wings vs. Predators

NHL fans and bettors will be treated to 11 games this Thursday night, with most of the league’s top teams in action. We took a deep dive into the full slate of matchups and came up with the two best bets to be had.

First, we’ll break down an East Division matchup between the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins. Then we’ll analyze a Central Division clash between the Detroit Red Wings and the Nashville Predators.

New York Islanders (21-8-4) at Boston Bruins (16-8-4), 7:00 p.m. ET

Thursday night’s matchup between the Islanders and Bruins is a noteworthy one, as the TD Garden will welcome back fans for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to 2,100 spectators will be in attendance for Boston’s first game in a week due to a brief COVID-related pause.

The Islanders have been a busy team this month, playing 12 games from March 2 to March 22. They went 10-2 straight-up in that span.

As has been the case for the entire season, New York has received outstanding goaltending. Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin have split time between the pipes, and the pair have combined to allow a mere 24 goals in the aforementioned 12-game stretch.

Meanwhile, the Bruins have been a poor offensive team over their last seven games (3-4 straight-up), producing a meager 12 goals. Top scorer David Pastrnak (14 goals) is among Boston’s skaters considered “questionable” on Thursday night due to COVID protocols.

However, Tuukka Rask is expected back in net for the Bruins, and this club is first in home defense in 2021 (2.36 goals allowed per game). So while Boston may not get bowled over by New York, Islanders bettors should prevail, as should those wagering on the Under.

These teams have failed to exceed the total in eight of their last 10 meetings.

NHL Free Pick: Islanders +102, Under 5.0 goals

Detroit Red Wings (10-19-4) at Nashville Predators (15-17-1), 8:00 p.m. ET

The surging Predators added a fourth win in five games against the Red Wings on Tuesday night, blanking Detroit 2-0. Bettors should not expect a radical shift in Thursday’s rematch at Bridgestone Arena.

Nashville is 9-1 in their last 10 games as a home favorite, and 35-16 in their last 51 against teams with a winning % below .400. The Red Wings – who have been shut out for over 130 minutes heading into this one – have won only nine of their last 51 road games dating back to last season.

The Under is 4-1 in each of these clubs’ last five games.

NHL Free Pick: Predators -186, Under 5.5 goals