NHL picks: Bruins vs. Islanders, Predators vs. Red Wings

Another packed NHL slate awaits fans and bettors this Thursday. We crunched the numbers and came up with our two best bets of the night.

We’ll start with an East Division matchup between the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders before moving on to a Central Division showdown between the Nashville Predators and the Detroit Red Wings.

Boston Bruins (11-3-2) at New York Islanders (9-6-3), 7:00 p.m. ET

The Bruins lost each of their first two matchups with the Islanders this season, but each comes with a legitimate excuse. They should right the ship against this East Division foe on Thursday night.

Boston was without All-Star right wing David Pastrnak when these clubs met for the first time in 2021 (Jan. 18). Pastrnak was back on Feb. 13, when these teams last met, and had two assists in a 4-2 loss. His linemates – center Patrice Bergeron and left wing Brad Marchand – each contributed a goal and an assist that evening.

The Bruins were tied with New York at two goals apiece before conceding a pair of goals in the third period in their most recent meeting. They were probably skating on tired legs during their third game in four nights, something that’s been rare during this modified 56-game season.

Boston has had three nights to rest since blowing out the Philadelphia Flyers, 7-3, at Lake Tahoe. Pastrnak (fresh off his second hat-trick of the season) and company should take care of business at Nassau Coliseum.

NHL Free Pick: Bruins -136

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Nashville Predators (8-10-0) at Detroit Red Wings (5-13-3), 7:30 p.m. ET

Neither the Predators nor the Red Wings have had the seasons they wanted so far in 2021, but Detroit is by far the harder team to trust with an NHL-worst 5-16 straight-up record. Bettors should have faith in Nashville on the moneyline here.

The Predators shut out the Red Wings, 2-0, when these teams met at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday night. That was the sixth time in seven opportunities this year that Nashville cashed in as the betting favorite.

Filip Forsberg found the back of the net once on Tuesday, so now the Preds’ leading point-getter (17) has scored in three of his last four games. The same cannot be said for Detroit’s leading points-earner, Dylan Larkin, who’s failed to score in 11 February games.

In addition to a Nashville moneyline wager, bettors should also consider an Under play in a parlay. The Under has cashed in five of the Predators’ last six games as favorites, and in eight of the Red Wings’ last 10 overall.

NHL Free Pick: Predators -157, Under 5.5 (-121)