After a packed weekend of NHL betting, the hockey schedule is a bit more compact on Monday with five games on tap. The doesn't mean there isn't value to be found for hockey bettors, highlighted by Montreal looking to pick up where it left off against Vancouver.
We break down the NHL odds for that game, and two other contests, as we bring you our best free NHL picks and predictions for Monday, February 1.
NHL Picks for Today
Nashville Predators vs Tampa Bay Lightning
These teams met up on Saturday with Tampa Bay holding on for a 4-3 victory. The Lightning won thanks to a dominating second period, which saw them score four goals on 15 shots, but it was the Predators who drew first blood when Ryan Ellis banged home a loose puck on the power play with two minutes left in the first period.
That said, it isn't often that Nashville scores early with the Preds having scored just two first-period goals in eight games this season. And considering that they mustered only six shots on net during the first 20 minutes of that contest, it's a bit surprising that they managed to sneak one by.
Tampa Bay has one of the best goalies in the league in Andrei Vasilevskiy. The 26-year-old won the Vezina Trophy two years ago and is 4-1-1 with a 2.15 goals-against average and .925 save percentage this season.
The Bolts were also very stingy during the first 20 minutes of games last season, allowing the second-fewest goals in the league during the opening period. We're going to back the trends and take the Under on the Predators first-period team total.
PREDICTION: Nashville First Period Team Total Under 0.5 (-117)
Vancouver Canucks vs Montreal Canadiens
The Canucks are winners of four in a row, but pump the brakes before jumping on the Vancouver bandwagon since three of those victories came against the lowly Senators. The Canucks have allowed just one goal in each of their last four games but, frankly, their defense and goaltending are simply not good enough to keep that up.
Keep in mind that despite that recent success at keeping the puck out of their net, the Canucks still rank 29th in the league in high-danger chances allowed per 60 minutes—while ranking dead-last in expected goals against per 60 minutes with 3.38. And neither Thatcher Demko nor Braden Holtby have shown the ability to bail out their teammates, with both Vancouver goalies having a GAA above 3.15.
The Canadiens are leading the NHL with a whopping 4.13 goals per game and are sixth in high-danger chances for per 60 minutes. Their power play is also clicking at 25.8 percent and Vancouver is the most penalized team in the league.
Despite their brilliance on the offensive end of the ice, the Habs are coming off a game where they were shut out against the Calgary Flames. That said, that game was the first regulation loss for Montreal this year and they still generated 37 shots on net in that contest, so the chances were there.
We're expecting the Canadiens forwards to return to form tonight and cruise to their third straight victory this year against Vancouver.
PREDICTION: Three-Way Moneyline Montreal (-115)
Calgary Flames vs Winnipeg Jets
When these teams met up earlier this season, the Jets won 4-3 in overtime but there's plenty of reasons to consider betting Under the total this time around. The Flames potted all three of their goals in the first period of that game, which is pretty shocking when you consider their offensive struggles this season and the usually reliable play of Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck.
The Flames are just 29th in the league in goals scored per 60 minutes in 5v5 hockey and have scored just two goals in three of their last four games. Thankfully for Calgary fans, the offseason signing of Jacob Markstrom has looked terrific so far with their new netminder boasting a 2.18 GAA with a .929 SV% in six starts.
While Hellebuyck had a first period to forget in that earlier meeting, he has stopped 91.4 percent of shots faced in his five games since then—and he took home the Vezina last season after going 31-21-5 with a 2.57 GAA and a save percentage of .922.
It's also worth mentioning that Patrik Laine had two goals and a helper in that previous game against Calgary, and the high-scoring winger has since been traded away.
The Jets do rank fourth in the league with 3.63 goals per game. However, that number is inflated by 14 goals in three games against Ottawa and they are coming off a contest against Vancouver where they struggled to generate offense. When you also consider that the Under is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Winnipeg between these Canadian rivals, our mind is made up: back the Under.
PREDICTION: Under 6 (-107)
Top NHL Consensus for Today
Want to know who today's biggest NHL betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NHL consensus picks.
Yesterday's picks: 1-2 (-1.09 units)
Season record to date: 15-28-2 (-13.96 units)
NHL Betting Card for February 1
- Nashville First Period Team Total Under 0.5 (-117)
- Three-Way Moneyline Montreal (-115)
- Calgary/Winnipeg Under 6 (-107)
NHL Parlays
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NHL betting picks, you could win $57.08 on a $10 bet?
Use our NHL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where Can I Bet on the NHL?
You can bet on NHL odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NHL moneylines, puck lines, Over/Under totals, and a ton of NHL prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on NHL odds in your area.
