NHL Hockey Betting – Every Point Critical This Week As Regular Season Continues To Wind Down

With the regular season countdown continuing to tick down, the playoffs are just around the corner for the Sweet 16 that make it through. For now, earning points is crucial not only for getting in, but for securing home ice betting advantage, and setting the tone for the postseason. Here is a look at a couple of important matchups for this week:

New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils

The Devils were one of the hottest teams through the months of January and February, but as many sports betting prognosticators projected, it was only a matter of time before their incredible hot streak cooled off. New Jersey has just four wins through their last 10 games, and are the next Eastern conference team in line to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. That won’t happen in this game however, as the Devils look to own their Atlantic division rivals. The Islanders are five games below .500 on the road this season, and will face a New Jersey team that has been almost invincible at home these past couple of months.

NHL Betting Pick: New Jersey Devils

Anaheim Ducks @ Calgary Flames

The Flames and Ducks are locked in a battle for one of the final playoff spots in the Western conference, and every point will be crucial as both teams fight to get in. Calgary fell to three points back of the eighth place Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, and enter this game four back of Anaheim for seventh with the Ducks holding a game in hand. Every contest will be a must-win for the Flames down the sports betting stretch, but none more than this one.

NHL Betting Pick: Calgary Flames

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins

The Maple Leafs provided a solid run down the stretch that will give the team hope from next season, and while it’s highly unlikely that they will reach the top eight in the conference before the final day of the season, it’s still important for them to climb as high as they can. Toronto lost its top draft pick to Boston in the deal for Phil Kessel a year ago, so the better they do the lesser the value of the selection. This game will have added significance against that same Bruins’ team, as the Maple Leafs’ try to spoil any small chance of them clinching a conference title this season.

NHL Betting Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Thursday, 7:30 PM ET

Although the Penguins won’t have captain Sidney Crosby back in the lineup, this game is an exciting one as a potential first round playoff matchup preview. Tampa Bay has made strides under a new regime down south, and will look to close the gap between them and fourth-place Pittsburgh while setting the tone for what should be a long postseason sports betting bonus series.

NHL Betting Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning