NHL Underdog Picks for Thursday, March 17th 2022

Colorado continues to lead the NHL in the President’s Cup race. Hot on the Avs trail are Florida and Carolina. The Panthers will be in action tonight and are favored on the road against Toronto.

NHL Bookies

Bettors looking for value can find it tonight as 20 of the league’s 32 teams will be in action. Which underdogs will come through?

Here’s a look at the top NHL underdog picks for Thursday, March 17th 2022.

NY Islanders vs. NY Rangers

Islanders vs. Rangers Pick

Best Bet: ISLANDERS +120

The battle for New York takes place tonight in Madison Square Garden as the Islanders battle the Rangers. The Islanders have won five of their last six games while the Rangers have won five of seven.

The Islanders rank 16th in expected goals while the Rangers don’t apply all that much offensive pressure and rank just 27th in the same category.

Both teams are more defensive minded and have outstanding goalies. The Rangers Igor Shesterkin is a Vezina Trophy candidate.

The Islanders have won six of the last ten games in the series with the Rangers and they are 2-1 in the last three. The teams have played once this season with the Rangers getting a 4-1 win on the road. The Rangers will get their revenge tonight.

NHL Moneyline Odds

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Hurricanes vs. Maple Leafs Pick

Best Bet: MAPLE LEAFS -102

The Hurricanes have won four of their last five games and take on a Toronto team that will not have Auston Matthews. That will give the Maple Leafs even more incentive to play well.

The Leafs goaltender tandem of Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek have the worst save percentage of any goalie pair in the NHL since the beginning of January. It’s time for them to step up their game or rookie Erik Kallgren will be taking over. Kallgren recorded a shutout in his first NHL start.

Toronto won the last meeting between the two teams on Feb. 7. The Leafs won 4-3 at home. They will do it again tonight.

Nashville Predators vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Predators vs. Flyers Pick

Best Bet: FLYERS +145

Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last six games while the Flyers have dropped three straight. Losing to Florida and Carolina wasn’t a big deal as those are two of the best teams in hockey. The third loss to Montreal…now that’s something to be concerned about.

The Flyers have just three wins in their last ten games and it’s time for them to get some of their mojo back. Nashville is a very good defensive team. They are seventh in the NHL in goals allowed per game (2.75).

Philadelphia doesn’t score a lot. They are second to last in scoring averaging just 2.51 goals per game, but tonight they will match the Predators who also do not score a lot. Take a chance on the home underdog in desperate need of a win.

NHL Moneyline Predictions

San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings

Sharks vs. Kings Pick

Best Bet: SHARKS +140

If there is one team the Kings do not want to play, it’s the Sharks. San Jose has owned L.A. for the past several years.

The Sharks have won eight of the last ten head-to-head games against the Kings. That includes three games this season. The two teams just played a back-to-back last week. San Jose won 4-3 at Los Angeles on Mar. 10 then turned around two days later and spanked the Kings 5-0 on their home ice.

San Jose is only 4-12 SU in its last 16 games, but they are 8-1 SU in the last nine against the Kings.