NHL weekend best bets: Senators to blast Blue Jackets at home
Although Friday night's slate is a little small, we still have 17 games on our plate over the next couple of days.
We're going to back a couple of Eastern Conference teams trending upward as we look to improve upon Thursday's split of our best bets.
Devils (-110) @ Golden Knights (-110)
March 3, 10:00 p.m. EST
The New Jersey Devils are scorching-hot. They own a 7-2-1 record over the last 10 games and rank fourth in the league in expected goal share during that stretch.
They're about to become even more dangerous. Star winger Timo Meier, whom the Devils acquired just a few days ago, is expected to join the lineup and make his debut Friday night.
Meier adds another dynamic element, and more finishing ability, to a team that ranks fourth in goals per game on the season. A scary thought.
Even without him, the Devils figured to be a handful for the Golden Knights to handle given the state of Las Vegas' goaltending.
Adin Hill has played well of late, but he's a negative in goals saved above expected for the season. He's exploitable, and the Devils have the talent to take advantage.
Meanwhile, newcomer Jonathan Quick has fared worse in GSAE than all but Elvis Merzlikins and Spencer Martin this season. He doesn't appear to be much of a solution should Bruce Cassidy decide to throw him right in the fire.
The Golden Knights will no doubt be looking to suck the life out of this game and try to be opportunistic when they're able to grind out chances.
That's a tough thing to do against a Devils team that can outgun them. Not to mention that New Jersey also holds the edge in speed, depth, and in goal. I expect those advantages to shine through as the Devils look to take out another top team in the Western Conference.
Bet: Devils (-110)
Blue Jackets (TBD) @ Senators (TBD)
March 4, 7:00 p.m. EST
Don't let the Ottawa Senators' place in the standings fool you. They're a good team and have been for quite some time.
Since Dec. 1, the Senators rank ninth in points percentage and have recorded more wins than the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New Jersey Devils.
Their underlying numbers are trending in the right direction and, with the addition of Jakob Chychrun, the ascension figures to continue.
The Senators enter this game on a high, having won four consecutive games by multiple goals.
They're right back in the thick of the playoff race and will no doubt be chomping at the bit for a date with this Blue Jackets team.
Columbus has won only 13 of its past 40 games. The Blue Jackets have sold off numerous pieces on what was already a bad, and shallow, roster.
The most noteworthy from a betting perspective was the trade of Joonas Korpisalo to Los Angeles. He was the guy keeping some games close that didn't necessarily belong that way. With him gone, it should be open season against Columbus.
Elvis Merzlikins ranks dead last in goals saved above expectation this season, and Michael Hutchison probably isn't an NHL-caliber goaltender. They're not going to do the job while facing a barrage of rubber every night.
I expect a hungry, talented Senators team to walk all over the Blue Jackets and convert on plenty of their chances en route to a multi-goal victory.
Bet: Senators -1.5 (expected range: +100)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.