We started the week without any hockey. The league had just one game scheduled for Monday, and, unfortunately, COVID-19 nixed the contest.
Luckily, we're going to get our fill - and then some - tonight as the NHL ramps back up with a 13-game slate.
Let's get into our best bets.
Hurricanes (+130) @ Wild (-150)
The Hurricanes are one of the NHL's better teams, but this is a tough spot for them.
They're up against an elite Wild team that owns a 10-2-0 record on home ice. Minnesota is full value for it, having controlled a whopping 58.18% of the expected goals at five-on-five. Winning would be a tough task for Carolina at the best of times, but the team is facing some pretty extreme circumstances.
This is the Hurricanes' fifth road game since last Tuesday, and they're going to be without a plethora of important players. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, among others, aren't expected to play due to injuries and COVID-19.
The Wild are getting healthier on defense and play their best hockey at home. I like them to get back on track against this depleted Hurricanes side.
Bet: Wild in regulation (+100)
Islanders (-115) @ Red Wings (-105)
The Red Wings have gone ice cold of late, losing three consecutive games by at least three goals.
Meanwhile, the Islanders won two of three and picked up at least a point in five of their last six contests. Back those trends to continue, right? I don't think so.
New York remains lifeless offensively. The Islanders are generating just 2.15 xG per 60 at five-on-five over the last 10 games. That's a brutal number, and now they're expected to be without their best weapon in Mathew Barzal. Detroit isn't stout defensively, but it should limit New York in this game, especially with Alex Nedeljkovic between the pipes.
Nedeljkovic has stopped 4.3 goals above expectation this year. He's a clear upgrade over Thomas Greiss, who owns a minus-4.2 in that category.
I just don't see the Islanders scoring more than a couple of goals in this game. I'm happy to back the Wings on home ice - where they're 9-3-2 - at near even money.
Bet: Red Wings (-105)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
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