NHL Picks – Rundown For Thursday April 8th

Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins

Both the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins are jockeying for playoff positions, but the Bruins are in more dire need of a win. The Bruins can go a long way in securing a playoff berth with a win – or even one point – in this matchup but they are just 5-4-1 in their last 10. That may not be too difficult as the Bruins have generated at least one point in four of the first five meetings with Buffalo this season.

Montreal Canadiens @ Carolina Hurricanes

NHL betting fans will see one of these two teams in the playoffs and if the Canadiens want to stick around for a while, they’ll have to keep their sixth-seeding. That might be tricky against the streaking Hurricanes, who are 5-3-2 in their last 10 with the pressure of the playoffs off their shoulder. The Canadiens are not a great road team while the Canes are decent at home, so don’t be surprised if there’s an upset here.

New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins

If this one looks like a sports betting mismatch, take a closer look. The Islanders have been playing well down the stretch of the season, winning three straight and posting a 6-3-1 stretch in their last 10. Even so, they are a bad road team with just 11 road wins all year, and the Penguins will take advantage of them on Thursday.

Ottawa Senators @ Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning have been a sinking ship since they have been eliminated from the playoffs and they have just three wins in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators have been much better since a post-Olympic Break. Tampa Bay will have the edge at home but the team concept has turned into the Steve Stampkos concept for the Lightning as they only thing they have to play for is if he can score 50 goals this year.

New Jersey Devils @ Florida Panthers

The New Jersey Devils and a matchup with the Florida Panthers should help them stay hot. The Panthers are miserable and have won just three times in their last 12 games. The Devils should be a fairly easy online betting pick on Thursday

Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars

Two teams going nowhere as far as the postseason is concerned will meet up on Thursday and you’re best to stick with the team that is hot. The Ducks are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and they have played much better since the Olympic Break. Overall, they have eight wins in their last 12 games and they should keep that going against the Stars.

Minnesota Wild @ Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames are at a low-point right now as their chase for the playoffs has come to an end. The Flames lost two straight to Chicago and San Jose, which eliminated them from the postseason. They are having trouble scoring too – totaling just two goals in two games – which should play well into Minnesota’s hands.

Phoenix Coyotes @ Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes are both in the playoffs and they could very well be facing each other in the first round. If the Kings win on Thursday, they could leapfrog the Nashville Predators, which would mean that they would be the No. 5 seed and would face the Coyotes. The Kings are a good home team and with those prospects in mind, look for them to top the Coyotes to send a statement.

Vancouver Canucks @ San Jose Sharks

Home ice advantage should also be a factor in this contest as the Sharks are a good home team while the Canucks are a so-so road team. The Sharks need a win to fend off the Chicago Blackhawks for the top seed in the West, so that should provide some extra motivation.