Written by Scott on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024
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Well after what seemed like a lifetime, the NHL is back. There has been plenty of changes made by teams which is surely going to change the teams we see near the top of the standings. Hopefully everyone had a great summer.
With it being the first games of the season it’s tough to try and predict winners. We have no data to go by so we would be going by last year’s info. Much safer to just avoid a tip.
Blues vs Kraken Betting Tips:
The Blues finished in 5th in the Central last season going 43-33-6. In the off-season they added Faksa, Joseph and Texier which isn’t go to give them the boost they need offensively.
The Kraken went 27-49-6 one season after going 46-28-8. They finished in 6th in the Pacific. They made some big moves in the off-season bringing in Stephenson, Mountour and Mahura. They are also hoping that 2022 number 4 overall pick Shane Wright will stay with the club for the whole season.
If I’m picking a winner here it would be the home town Kraken but it’s game one so I’m skipping.
Bruins vs Panthers Betting Tips:
The Bruins finally got their goaltending situation sorted with Swayman. It was a long wait but at least the got it done.
Still a strong team who brought in Lindholm to help at center. But they did lose a bunch of depth like DeBrusk, Heineken and more and only have Zadorov, Jones and Lindholm to show for them. Biggest issue will be Korpisalo as the number 2 goalie with Ullmark gone.
The Panthers knew they were going to loss players as they went all in to get the Cup. Gone are Montour, Ekman-Larsson, Tarasenko, Cousins and more but it’s worth it to get the Cup. And the core still remains
With both teams facing so much turnover it’s tough to call a winner for this game.
Blackhawks vs Utah Betting Tips:
The Hawks brought in some help for Bedard with Teravainen, Bertuzzi, Mikheyev and defensemen Martinez and Brodie. A full season from Taylor Hall will go long way too. I just don’t see them making a big enough improvement to make the postseason.
Same thing with Utah, They added some much need defensive help brining in Sergachev, Marino and Cole and they have some decent offensive players with Keller, Schmaltz, Bjugstad, Guenther, Crouse and Cooley.
I just think they are still a couple years and players away from taking the next step. It will be nice to see them playing in front of a defent sized crowd though.
Another game 1 so an easy pass for me. Although with it being the first games for Utah I would lean that way but not a tip.
BTW if you wanted to go by pure raw pre-season advanced metrics data:
– Krakens goalscoring should see them win. But the Blues SCGA/60 is low enough I wouldn’t be on that.
– Panthers defense and conceding is a concern so not much I like there. Could potentially see Bruins pip them – but their offense didn’t show enough in pre-season.
– Utah should beat the Hawks. 1.60 is too low obviously. Hawks goalscoring was horrific though so I’d probably take Utah in regulation.
Ofc, that’s pre-season data which is generally junk.
So nice the NHL is back! Good previews already from Graeme and Scott to start off the season! Thanks for that!
With a lot of Games 1 and 2 on deck, and so many changes to teams, I’m also wary of picking much yet. I am however leaning full game OVER for Boston-Florida and Chicago-Utah. The big question marks are Florida and Utah, for contributing to the Over, after their roster changes. And all teams take at least a few weeks into the regular season to get their lines to gel on both offense and defense, to where they are more predictable. Utah, of all NHL teams, should feel the most pumped this week. What a huge positive change for them, from a joke Tonka Toy arena and joke owners to new owners, a new city that is thrilled to have them there and some interesting roster changes to kick off Year One. And they already have one of the best looking jerseys too, and still don’t have their logo designed. What’s not to be thrilled about?
Nothing for the Blues-Kraken game, I don’t have a clear idea of what they’ll be doing this year.
New season, best of luck! Let’s go!!
DISCLAIMER:
Don’t bet with real money on my opinions.
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I take Utah in regulation @ 1.99
Not much confidence but i made a couple plays.
Boston/Florida Over 5.5 -115
Playoff rematch. Division game. Korpisalo likely for Boston. Changes to Florida’s defense. Refs could call it tight presenting opportunities for each team to get Power Plays. Both play defensive styles, but with this being game one, when else will these teams have a chance to cut loose and play an open style of hockey?
Boston as an underdog up to +140 and higher would be the only way I’d look if picking a side. I had placed Florida at about 55.5 and seeing them at over 62 percent feels too high to me. I get wanting to bet against Korpisalo especially when looking at his last years numbers. But he could just as easily steal a game, playing for a better team and getting a fresh start.
Utah -162
This has climbed up to Utah -180 now and I don’t see much value at that price anymore. Whether Utah actually delivers or not who knows, but at least I got the best of the number.
Goal Scorers
Florida Reinhart to score +150
I have a few in this game that I highlighted and considered, but this will be my play. The deciding factor for me is his ability to score on the Power Play.
Verhaeghe, Tkachuk and Barkov were other options I considered for Florida. Verhaeghe is not a bad option and is going at a better price of about +175 last I checked. Tkachuk role might have changed from the goal scoring role he had in previous seasons. I would look towards a shot prop for Tkachuk until seeing whether he can get off to a faster start than he did last season. Barkov can just as easily by a facilitator than scorer and may look to get his teammates involved. If anything I would look to Barkov to record a Power Play point at +160.
For Boston scorers I looked at Pastrnak, Marchand, Lindholm and Coyle. Lindholm isn’t bad at +340 range but I’d like to see how he meshes with the new team. He might look to make sure Pasta gets off to a hot start as opposed to scoring himself. Pastrnak will probably be the best option and +135 is decent value for him. I however will be going with a dark horse in Coyle at +340. I like the value here even though it more than likely won’t come thru.
Recap of plays
Boston/Florida Over 5.5 -115
Utah-162
Florida Reinhart to score +150
Boston Coyle to score +340