Top NHL Expert Picks Of The Week (Oct. 18-21)

It’s a little too early in the season to be making any sort of bold predictions, but it’s never too early to start looking at some individual games on the NHL calendar to see if we can track down a few potential winners. In this early part of the season, I am not going to just focus on straight up winners, as I also plan on looking at the OVER/UNDER, as there are a number of teams who look to have their guns blazing very early on. With all of that said, let’s gaze into out crystal ball to see if we can get into profit this week. Be sure to check back every day for the latest hockey betting NHL lines on these and all the other NHL games on the calendar.

A Closer Look At The Top NHL Expert Picks Of The Week (Oct. 18-21)

Calgary Flames over Buffalo Sabres – Tuesday, October 18

It’s been a rough start to the season for the Calgary Flames, as they have only picked up a single point from their opening 3 games. The Flames went out and picked up Brian Elliott from the Blues in the offseason in the hopes of bolstering their defensive record, but they were shelled in their opening two games versus the Oilers. Things got better in a 2-1 SO loss to the Canucks, and I believe that the Flames are now starting to settle down. They have more offensive firepower than the Sabres, and I like them to get the win on home ice.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Winnipeg Jets – OVER – Wednesday, October 19

If you want to see goals, this may well be the game to tune into on Wednesday night. 14 total goals have been scored in the Leafs first two games, while the Jets first two games of the season have provided us with 16 goals. That suggests a pair of teams that can score, but who are not very sound on the defensive side of the puck. For me, that adds up to a wide open game with lots of goals. This looks like a definite OVER play.

San Jose Sharks at Pittsburgh Penguins – UNDER – Thursday, October 20

The defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins are off to another good start, winning both of their opening games, and doing so with timely scoring and solid defense. It’s been an almost identical start for the San Jose Sharks, as they too have won both games, winning in low-scoring fashion. Both of these teams have a lot of offensive talent, but both seem to understand the importance of good defensive hockey. This should be a tight one that falls UNDER the total.

Chicago Blackhawks over Columbus Blue Jackets – Friday, October 21

I’m sure everyone who follows hockey remembers the brutal start that the Columbus Blue Jackets made to their season last year. While they still have a long way to go to reach that level of disaster, they are still without a point after their first two games. The Blackhawks have not been great to start the year, but they finally picked up their first win in three attempts, and you get the feeling that they will start to roll soon enough.