From Alexander Ovechkin breaking records to the Boston Bruins steamrolling the competition, last week’s NHL action had something for everyone. Now that the first week of November is in the books, a new slate of games is upon us, bringing more hockey-related betting opportunities.
Once again, we have your NHL weekly betting needs covered. Continue reading for a pair of games worth keeping an eye on this week and how certain futures betting odds are shaping up, including this year’s Calder Trophy race.
NHL Games of the Week: Nov. 7-13
- St. Louis Blues vs. Boston Bruins (Monday, Nov. 7)
The week begins with a game between two teams heading in opposite directions when the slumping St. Louis Blues visit the booming Boston Bruins. The Blues enter this contest amid a six-game losing streak, while the Bruins sit atop the Eastern Conference with a 10-2-0 record.
The Blues’ offense has been putrid this season. St. Louis ranks dead last in the NHL with 2.33 goals per game (GPG). Despite the lack of offense, the total has still hit the over in five of the Blues’ nine games. Meanwhile, the Bruins lead the league with a 4.17 GPG clip.
It won’t be easy for the Blues to snap their skid at TD Garden. The Bruins are 10-0 straight up in their last 10 home games and have dominated their opponents at home this season. Not only is Boston 6-0 in its stadium this fall, but it’s also outscored the opposition 24-12 during those contests.
Oddsmakers favor the Bruins at -205 odds on the moneyline to beat the Blues (+168). Interestingly enough, St. Louis is 4-1 straight up in its last five road games against Boston, which includes a 4-2 victory last season.
The total for the game is projected at 6.5 goals, with the under being favored at -115. Though both teams have experienced the over more often than not this season, the total has hit the under in four of the last five Blues-Bruins matchups in Boston.
- Carolina Hurricanes vs. Colorado Avalanche (Saturday, Nov. 12)
Two potential Stanley Cup contenders are set to meet later this week when the Colorado Avalanche host the Carolina Hurricanes. A slow start led to some struggles for the Avalanche, but they’ve started to turn things around by winning four of their last six games. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have won four of their previous five games and three straight on the road.
Carolina’s early success has stemmed from the trio of Martin Necas, Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. Each player has tallied at least 14 points so far while combining for 22 goals and will be a handful for the defending Stanley Cup Champions to contain.
The Avalanche have also been getting key offensive contributions. Mikko Rantanen leads his team with four goals over the last six games, while Nathan MacKinnon has been a playmaking machine, tallying 10 assists over that span. MacKinnon’s performance has helped him remain at +850 odds (T-No. 3) to win the 2022-23 Hart Memorial Trophy.
Unfortunately for Hurricanes supporters, their team has had issues in the Mile High City over the last 13 years. Carolina is 3-6-1 straight up in its last 10 road games against the Avalanche and hasn’t won at Ball Arena since December 2019.
Bettors might want to brace themselves for a high-scoring affair. Not only do the Hurricanes rank 12th-best with 3.29 GPG on the road, but the total has also gone over in four of their last five games. On the other hand, the Avalanche operate at a 3.55 GPG pace (No. 6), and the total has hit the over in three of their four home games thus far.
Don’t be surprised if these two teams also meet in the Stanley Cup Final. The Avalanche are the current +500 championship favorites, whereas the Hurricanes are tied for the second-best odds at +1000.
NHL Futures Odds Update
Beniers Remains No. 1 in Calder Odds
- Matt Beniers, SEA (+390)
- Logan Thompson, VGK (+500)
- Shane Pinto, OTT (+900)
- Calen Addison, MIN (+1000)
- Cole Perfetti, WPG (+1400)
- Mason McTavish, ANA (+1600)
The Seattle Kraken’s Matty Beniers has played wonderfully in his first full NHL season. While the former Michigan product’s Calder Trophy odds have slightly worsened over the last two weeks (+370 to +390), he continues to pace all rookie players with nine points in 13 games.
The Calder odds have seen some significant jumps over the last 14 days. The Ottawa Senators’ Shane Pinto (+2400 to +900) was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for October, leading all first-year players with six goals.
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson also made quite the leap (+1100 to +500). The 25-year-old netminder is 6-2-0 with a .934 save percentage (SV%) and 2.01 goals-against average (GAA) in eight starts. Not only has he won each of his last four appearances, but Thompson is also tied for the league lead with two shutouts.
Others have seen their odds drop, unfortunately. Despite having seven points in 13 games, Mason McTavish has fallen from +600 to +1600. Owen Power’s odds have lengthened from +600 to +2000, whereas Shane Wright’s odds have also taken a nosedive (+1500 to +4000).
Avalanche Lead President’s Trophy Race
- Colorado Avalanche (+450)
- Boston Bruins (+600)
- Vegas Golden Knights (+650)
- Carolina Hurricanes (+750)
- Calgary Flames (+1000)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (+1300)
The President’s Trophy is awarded annually to the team with the most points in the regular season. Even though they’ve had a slower start than expected, the Avalanche are currently favored to win the trophy at +450 odds.
After all, it’s tough to count out a team with the likes of MacKinnon, Rantanen and Cale Makar this early in the season. Colorado only has two games slated for this week, though, playing the sub-.500 Nashville Predators on Thursday before the aforementioned bout against the Hurricanes.
The Eastern Conference-leading Bruins rank second at +600 odds. Boston’s 83.3% win percentage ranks second-best in the NHL this season, trailing only the Golden Knights (84.6%), who sit thirds on this odds list at +650.
Norris Trophy Race Looking One-Sided
- Cale Makar, COL (+165)
- Victor Hedman, TBL (+750)
- Roman Josi, NSH (+750)
- Adam Fox, NYR (+850)
- Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (+1500)
- Erik Karlsson, SJS (+1600)
Cale Makar was the NHL’s best defenseman last year and is well on his way to accomplishing the feat again. The Avalanche’s 24-year-old superstar is the heavy +165 Norris Trophy favorite this season, ranking tied for third among defenders with 13 points in 11 games.
Victor Hedman and Roman Josi are the next closest players to Makar at a distant +750 odds each. Both men have captured the Norris Trophy over the previous five seasons, leaving time to tell if they can join the exclusive list of players who’ve won the trophy multiple times.
One defenseman worth watching going forward is Erik Karlsson (+1600). The San Jose Sharks might be dreadful this season, but Karlsson isn’t. The two-time Norris winner paces all defenders with 10 goals and 19 points in 14 games. If he continues this level of play, it won’t be shocking to see him higher up the list in the next update.
