The 2019-2020 National Hockey League regular season is underway and we’ll bring you all the betting analysis you need. For now, we’ll do a quick rundown of the Thursday card with our ‘Best Bets’:
FLORIDA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
If new head coach Joel Quenneville is going to create a winning culture in South Florida this is the perfect place to start. Tampa Bay has dominated the Panthers in recent years winning 7 of the last 8 head to head including 4 straight in the ‘Cigar City’. It remains to be seen how the Lightning will respond to their playoff flameout from last season. It’s almost inevitable that they’ll not put up as many points as they did last year. Tough scheduling spot with the Bolts playing this game before heading out on a six game road trip. No doubt the last person the Lightning wanted to see in net is new Panthers’ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky who dominated them in the playoffs while with the Columbus Blue Jackets. 7 of 8 in the series have gone ‘Over’ the total and the Panthers have a great opportunity to make a statement.
MONTREAL CANADIENS AT CAROLINA HURRICANES
Plenty of questions about these two teams but one thing is certain–both have solid defense and goaltending. The Habs and ‘canes played three times last year. In the middle game they combined for 10 goals. In the other two games Carolina won both by a 2-1 margin. 4 of the last 6 head to head have gone ‘Under’ including 3 straight at Carolina.
WINNIPEG JETS AT NEW YORK RANGERS
Despite finishing out of the playoffs last year, the Rangers hype train is in full steam already. I’m not buying it. The Winnipeg Jets are a mess defensively but they can definitely score goals. The Jets have won 3 of the last 4 head to head and two straight at Madison Square Garden. Last year, the Jets won both games by identical 4-3 margins.
MINNESOTA WILD AT NASHVILLE PREDATORS
The Predators swept the Wild last season winning two low scoring games at Minnesota and two high scoring games at Bridgestone Arena. Wild will almost certainly be the worst team in the Central this year.
