NHL Betting Guide for February 28th

It’s an unusually busy Sunday in the NHL today, with six games on the go. When we consider the 14 games played yesterday, that means five of the six games are on the second night of a back-to-back. That could lead to some sloppy hockey, and hopefully, high-scoring games.

Here’s what we’re looking at today!

Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Moneyline, Total, and Odds

Moneyline: Sabres +152, Flyers -180

Spread: Sabres +1.5 (-192), Flyers -1.5 (+158)

Total: O5.5 -114

Odds to Win Stanley Cup: Sabres +7000|Flyers +1900

Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk-free for up to $1,000!

Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers News, Analysis, and Picks

We’re highlighting the Buffalo Sabres against the Philadelphia Flyers in what could be a high-scoring game.

The Sabres have some terrible defensive metrics. Yesterday, against the Flyers, they allowed 39 shots, which was sadly the fewest shots in their last three games. They also gave up 29 scoring chances and 19 high-danger opportunities, which was the second-most this season. This adds to a string of three games in which opponents are averaging 40.3 shots, 31.3 scoring chances, and 15.3 opportunities from high-danger areas.

Carter Hutton held his own yesterday, stopping 36 of 39 shots. But with Linus Ullmark out at least a month, that means Jonas Johansson will likely get the start this afternoon. Johansson has an 89.4% save percentage in seven career games and is being thrown into the lion’s den against a potent Flyers lineup scoring at-will.

The Flyers are this year’s outlier as they have a league-high 13.6% shooting percentage. They’ve managed three or more goals in four of their last five and have scored 13.4% of their shots.

Carter Hart will likely get the start today after Brian Elliott blanked the Sabres yesterday. Hart has been unimpressive this season, posting a 3.68 goals-against average and 89.1% save percentage. Three of his last four starts have easily gone over the total.

There are a few factors that suggest that Sunday should be a high-scoring game. Questionable goaltenders, increased offensive output coupled with bad defensive metrics, and both teams on the second night of a back-to-back. It’s a short total bought up to -118, but it’s still the play worth making. Over 5.5 is the play.

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, Moneyline, Total, and Odds

Moneyline: Islanders -120, Penguins, +102

Spread: Islanders -1.5 (+235), Penguins +1.5 (-295)

Total: O5.5 -112

Odds to Win Stanley Cup: Islanders +2000|Penguins +2400

Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk-free for up to $1,000!

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins News, Analysis, and Picks

This is another case of two teams starting their primary goalies on night one, leaving their back-ups with a load they probably can’t handle on night two.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were the better team last night, out-possessing, out-shooting, and creating more scoring chances than the New York Islanders, although the Islanders had more high-danger chances. That has been a familiar trend for the Islanders recently, as they have been out-possessed, out-shot, and given up more scoring chances in three of their last five.

However, the Islanders are among the best in high-danger chances, ranking fourth in relative high-danger chances at 55.2%. They’ve been out-chanced in high-danger opportunities just twice over their last 10 games. It’s also worth noting that the Islanders have been out-chanced in high-danger chances on the second night of a back-to-back on both occasions this season.

Neither goalies’ metrics inspire any level of confidence. Casey DeSmith has stopped only 88.5% of shots this season than Ilya Sorokin, who needed a shutout in his last outing to bring his save percentage up to 89.5%. Unless this game is played in the neutral zone, goals should be easy to come by.

Both teams have productive offenses and balanced scoring. The Islanders have five skaters with at least six goals, and the Pens have seven players with four or more. That means that goals can come from any line, at any strength. Considering these goalies pedigrees, that’s probably what we should expect.

Pittsburgh has won four straight against the Isles, and New York hasn’t posted an expected goals-for percentage above 50.0% on the second night of a back-to-back this season, although this will be only their third such occasion. Pens at plus-money and the over are the plays to make in this one.