NHL Sports Betting – Eastern Conference Close, While Things Still Wide Open In The West

With the March Madness betting coming to an end, it means the National Hockey League regular season is almost over as well, and with the playoffs right around the corner every point is crucial down the stretch. The Eastern conference has largely been decided although there is still room to move around, while the Western conference standings remain wide open heading into this weekend.

Atlanta Thrashers @ Boston Bruins

The Thrashers and Bruins have trended opposite ways since the midseason mark, with Boston ranking among the hottest teams in the league while Atlanta has fallen out of contention. The Thrashers will likely have already been officially eliminated by the time they take to the ice at the TD Garden, while this game still means a lot to a Bruins' team that is chasing the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals for one of the top two spots in the sports betting conference and home ice advantage.

NHL Betting Pick: Boston Bruins

Detroit Red Wings @ Nashville Predators

Saturday, 3:00 PM ET

The Red Wings were absolutely blown away by the St. Louis Blues 10-3 on Wednesday, and will be in tough to bounce back against a determined Nashville team that is fighting to clinch a playoff spot. Just eight points separated the fourth place from tenth in the Western conference standings as of Thursday morning, and it will be a battle just to get in with both the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames still within reach. Detroit head coach Mike Babcock remains among the best in the league, and won't let his team get bounced around for a second straight game even if sports betting bonus injuries have played a major role.

NHL Betting Pick: Detroit Red Wings

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Ottawa Senators

Saturday, 7:00 PM ET

Maple Leafs' fans will be quick to point the fingers as to why their team will not be back in the postseason this year, but despite their recent surge there is nobody to blame but themselves. Toronto has lost key games down the stretch to teams lower than them in the standings to fall to the brink of elimination, and will need to avoid losing another to officially be cut. There should be plenty of fans that make the trip to the Scotiabank Place, setting the stage for another chapter in the Battle of Ontario.

NHL Betting Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

Montreal Canadiens @ New Jersey Devils

Saturday, 7:00 PM ET

The playoffs are still a couple of weeks away, something that the Canadiens' players may need to be reminded. Montreal has won just one of their last five games and are now five points ahead of the ninth-place Carolina Hurricanes for a playoff spot with four games to go. While some might joke that the Canadiens are doing everything they can not to face the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the playoffs, the truth is this team is eager to get back on track. It won't be easy on the road against a Devils' team that has been incredible at home over the past couple of months, as it looks like for the second straight year Montreal will go into the postseason cold.

NHL Betting Pick: New Jersey Devils