NHL Betting Guide: Thursday 4/7/22
Tonight's NHL slate is overshadowed by MLB Opening Day. Still, there are some big advantages to play on tonight's 10-game slate. As usual, we're breaking down a pair of games in our daily NHL Betting Guide.
These are a few of the wagers we're looking at from our daily projections!
Arizona Coyotes vs. Vancouver Canucks
Coyotes +1.5 (-156): 3-Star Rating out of 5
Coyotes Moneyline (+152): 2-Star Rating out of 5
The Vancouver Canucks compete on the second night of a back-to-back against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night, coming off a massive 5-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. However, the betting market overestimates the Nucks' chances against the Desert Dogs.
Although the result went their way, the Canucks were outplayed for the third straight game and the fourth time over the past six outings last night against the Knights. Defensive zone coverage remains an issue for Vancouver, as they've allowed 10 or more quality chances in all but two of their last six games, out-chancing their opponents just once of that stretch.
Those poor metrics leave the door open for the Coyotes to continue their recent onslaught. Arizona has attempted 10 or more quality chances in three of their past six, delivering 23 or more scoring chances in four of six.
We're waiting for output to catch up with those production metrics, as the Yotes have put up below-average shooting percentages in five of their past six outings. That could be facilitated against Jaroslav Halak, who has an 89.4% save percentage and -5.0 goals saved above average.
The Canucks are trending downward, while the Coyotes are ending the year on a high note. This projects as a classic letdown spot for the Nucks' as they skate for the second straight night.
Backing the Coyotes on the puckline is a three-star rated play and on the moneyline is a two-star rated play.
Ottawa Senators vs. Nashville Predators
Under 6.0 (+100): 3-Star Rating out of 5
On Thursday night, the Ottawa Senators host the Nashville Predators in one of two inter-conference matchups. Both teams are operating on diminished offensive metrics, implying that goals will be hard to come by at the Canadian Tire Center.
Nashville has been extremely limited over their recent sample, attempting 6 or fewer high-danger and 19 or fewer scoring chances in three of their past five games. Still, the Preds are finding ways to score, recording three or more goals in four of the five contests. That puts them on an unsustainable path, as the Preds can't continue with increased output amid a downturn in production.
The Sens are on a similar path, failing to crack nine high-danger chances in any of their previous five games but still totaling 20 goals over that sample, recording 5 or more in three straight. That has elevated the Sens' shooting percentage to 12.6% over the five-game sample, above their season-long rating of 8.9%.
The Predators and Senators are both heading towards a correction phase after overachieving offensively. That should lead to more low-scoring games for both teams, starting tonight in Ottawa. Backing under 6.0 is rated as a three-star play, as per our projections.
