NHL Odds Today: Thursday, October 9
Expert Analysis on Today's NHL Odds
The puck line is enticing for favorites that can score a lot of goals because it is statistically easier for a team to win by multiple goals when it can score more goals.
Vegas last night made it seem, at first, like it might struggle to score. Vegas lost its season-opener because it was facing a Kings team that was more prepared because the Kings had already played a game. This preparation was evident early when the Kings asserted a 2-0 lead.
But despite failing to score a first-period goal, the Golden Knights concluded regulation with five goals. Their best players, especially Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev, were effective, combining for four goals. They were also aided by newcomer Mitch Marner, whose characteristically excellent passing makes his teammates better. He had two assists last night, showing that he has already integrated himself well into his new team.
This is evidently a high-powered Knights offense, one that gets to face a San Jose defense that, by a clear margin, allowed the most goals per game last year. The Sharks rely on a lot of youth that has significant growing to do. Based on their offseason activity, it is reasonable to think that, if their horrendous defense improves at all, it would only improve after some gelling takes place among the team's current players. In this regard, Vegas' offense has the advantage of already playing a game with Marner.
In sum, expect the improved Knights, who already scored the fifth-most goals per game last season, to easily outpace a Sharks team that scored the fewest goals per game last year. Be sure to wager on the Knights -1.5 at +140 at Caesars.
As for the Flyers, it is true that their defense misses important pieces, but their injuries are not concerning tonight for two reasons. One, team strategy on defense will continue to help Philadelphia excel at preventing shots on net. Two, Florida's injuries are too crucial given the extent to which their team depends on those injured players.
The Panthers miss two key individual playmakers, Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, who combined for 128 points last year despite missing significant action. Yes, they still won their season-opener, but it was a tight affair against a rebuilding Blackhawks team that doesn't share Philadelphia's optimism.
The Flyers used the offseason to address their major concerns at center and goalkeeper. For example, the addition of Trevor Zegras, who scored the most power play goals among rookies in 2021-2022, will help the Flyers attain much needed improvement in power play. The new coaching staff, in general, exhibits a flexibility in lineup construction that will get more production from its roster.
Philadelphia was competitive against the Panthers last year, achieving success especially in the scoring department. Now the Flyers get a Florida team that is very much down. The odds fail to reflect this matchup history and the significance of Florida's injuries. Definitely wager on the Flyers ML at +165 at BetMGM.
Expert Analysis on Today's NHL Odds
The puck line is enticing for favorites that can score a lot of goals because it is statistically easier for a team to win by multiple goals when it can score more goals.
Vegas last night made it seem, at first, like it might struggle to score. Vegas lost its season-opener because it was facing a Kings team that was more prepared because the Kings had already played a game. This preparation was evident early when the Kings asserted a 2-0 lead.
But despite failing to score a first-period goal, the Golden Knights concluded regulation with five goals. Their best players, especially Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev, were effective, combining for four goals. They were also aided by newcomer Mitch Marner, whose characteristically excellent passing makes his teammates better. He had two assists last night, showing that he has already integrated himself well into his new team.
This is evidently a high-powered Knights offense, one that gets to face a San Jose defense that, by a clear margin, allowed the most goals per game last year. The Sharks rely on a lot of youth that has significant growing to do. Based on their offseason activity, it is reasonable to think that, if their horrendous defense improves at all, it would only improve after some gelling takes place among the team's current players. In this regard, Vegas' offense has the advantage of already playing a game with Marner.
In sum, expect the improved Knights, who already scored the fifth-most goals per game last season, to easily outpace a Sharks team that scored the fewest goals per game last year. Be sure to wager on the Knights -1.5 at +140 at Caesars.
As for the Flyers, it is true that their defense misses important pieces, but their injuries are not concerning tonight for two reasons. One, team strategy on defense will continue to help Philadelphia excel at preventing shots on net. Two, Florida's injuries are too crucial given the extent to which their team depends on those injured players.
The Panthers miss two key individual playmakers, Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, who combined for 128 points last year despite missing significant action. Yes, they still won their season-opener, but it was a tight affair against a rebuilding Blackhawks team that doesn't share Philadelphia's optimism.
The Flyers used the offseason to address their major concerns at center and goalkeeper. For example, the addition of Trevor Zegras, who scored the most power play goals among rookies in 2021-2022, will help the Flyers attain much needed improvement in power play. The new coaching staff, in general, exhibits a flexibility in lineup construction that will get more production from its roster.
Philadelphia was competitive against the Panthers last year, achieving success especially in the scoring department. Now the Flyers get a Florida team that is very much down. The odds fail to reflect this matchup history and the significance of Florida's injuries. Definitely wager on the Flyers ML at +165 at BetMGM.