NHL Best Bets For 2/17/23: Expert Betting Picks

Get NHL best bets and our expert predictions for tonight’s NHL slate of games on (2/17/23) Find best bets for three of the top NHL games tonight.

NHL Best Bets (2/17/23)

We have five games on tap for the Friday NHL slate and our NHL best bets are locked in for tonight’s slate of games.

Dallas Stars Vs. Minnesota Wild Best Bet

This is going to be an interesting showdown between two Central Division competitors. Both teams have been too inconsistent for me to pick a side right now, so I’m going with the total here. And, although the number is set very low, all the trends point to the under in this game. The Stars have been hitting the under in 62.7% of their games this year and are currently on a nine-game under run. Meanwhile, Minnesota is 57.4% to the under and have gone under in 7 of their last 8 games. Sometimes, you’ve just got to go with the trends until things turn around.

It doesn’t help that the Dallas offense has been cold as of late. In their last seven matchups, the team is averaging 2.28 goals per game, even lower than the Chicago Blackhawks’ league-low 2.4 average on the year. Additionally, the team’s leading scorer Jason Robertson (34 goals) has lit the lamp just once in his last five games. Goalie Jake Oettinger is projected to start for Dallas, and he’s been excellent throughout February with a .945 save percentage while allowing an average of just two goals per game. Oettingher has also gone seven straight matchups with five or fewer total goals. I’m not overthinking this one, I’m going to take the under.

Best Bet: Under 5.5

Author: Anthony Elio

New York Rangers Vs. Edmonton Oilers Best Bet

I’m really liking the value on the New York Rangers tonight. The team is on a six-game winning streak, and have been excellent on the road with a 16-5-4 record away from Madison Square Garden. They’re also coming alive offensively lately, averaging 5.1 goals per game in their last six matchups. Artemi Panarin has particularly been on fire as of late, with six goals in the last two games. He and center Mika Zibanajad (29 goals this season) will be pivotal in outpacing the dangerous Edmonton offense. 

While the Rangers are heating up, the Oilers have had too many head-scratching losses for me to feel confident in backing them. In the past few weeks, Edmonton has dropped games to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, and Montreal Canadiens, three of the worst teams in the league. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin is definitely having a down year with a .915 save percentage and 2.52 GAA, but I still give him the edge over Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner, who has dropped three straight games while averaging 3.33 goals per game. Take the Rangers to win this one on the road.

Best Bet: Rangers ML

Author: Anthony Elio

Chicago Blackhawks Vs. Ottawa Senators Best Bet

While both of these teams are near the bottom in their respective divisions, Ottawa is the superior team of the two and are hot winning seven of their last ten games. Chicago is 3-6-1 in their last ten and not playing competitive hockey either. Defense and goaltending have been a major issue, allowing the third highest xGA this season. The offense has been even worse, ranking dead last in xGF. Ottawa’s offense should be able to shine tonight at home and defensively this group is stronger than some give them credit for. They are 9th in xGA, nearing teams like the Bruins, Stars, and Kings.

Sens are heavy favorites but I am willing to get on the puck line for some added value as I don’t expect Chicago to do much on the road, where they are 6-16-2.

Best Bet: Senators -1.5

Author: Jason Guilbault