NHL Weekend Picks: Blue Jackets Top the Struggling Canucks, Flames Still Hot

The NHL season is almost a quarter of the way through, and it’s been a compelling campaign so far. One of the most important is how wide the race for the Stanley Cup will be.

Despite parting ways with head coach Joel Quenneville, Florida Panthers currently has the most points (31) in the league. The Panthers have only two losses by regulation and are currently on a four-game winning streak. After struggling last season, goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky has been spectacular for the Panthers. He has scored 1.91 goals above average and is yet to lose by regulation in the 2021-22 season.

Meanwhile, those who like The Calgary Flame, Hurricane Carolina and Edmonton Oilers All are nestled in the heels of the Panthers. Oilers duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are second in the league in points and very few opposing teams can slow Edmonton’s offensive behavior.

The Flames have also been a big surprise so far, despite the fact that their only move in free agency has been to sign more. Blake Coleman. But there’s also no harm in having a world-class goalkeeper like Jakob Markstrom in the middle of the pipeline. Markstrom must join the conversation for the Vezina Trophy after the first quarter of the season.

With full Friday and Saturday picks across the league, let’s head to some picks that will net us some cash.

All Eastern Times, and all odds through Caesars Sportsbook

🔥 Hot ticket

🏒 Canucks in Blue jacket, Friday, 7 p.m. | TV: NHL.TV

Latest rate:

Columbus blue jacket -140

Choice of: Blue Jacket (-145): The Canucks were one of the worst teams throughout the early NHL season. Just for that reason, I’m siding with Blue Jackets in this one. The Canucks have lost seven of their last eight and have averaged just 2.3 goals per game this season despite having one of the sport’s most exciting players. Elias Pettersson.

On the other hand, the Blue Jackets have one of the more dangerous fouls in the NHL as they average 3.4 goals per game, ranking sixth in the league. Columbus does not currently have a forward star Patrick Laine, who is fighting with an oblique tension. However, this is a group that has no problem getting the ball into the net.

Above all, the goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins scored extremely strongly with a record of 8-3-0 with an average difference of 2.44 goals. Merzlikins recently had a stint where he scored 10 goals in three games, but recovered with a massive victory over Jet plane on Wednesday.

Main trend: The Blue Jackets are 5-1 in their last six games as home favourites

💰Other NHL Options

🏒 is a maple tree in Shark, Friday, 10:30 pm | TV: NHL.TV

Latest rate:

Toronto Maple Leafs -150

Choice of: Maple Leafs (-160): Since losing five of their first seven games, the Maple Leafs are one of the hottest teams in the NHL. This is the group that won seven of the last eight and became a star Auston Matthews went on to go strong with three goals and six assists in that span. In addition, the goalkeeper Jack Campbell has been named the league’s top scorer as he owns 1.68 goals above average – the lowest in the entire NHL. In 10 games in November, Campbell has only conceded 13 goals in total, including six in Toronto’s last six games.

Meanwhile, after winning the first four games of the season, the Sharks have struggled to maintain consistent form.

San Jose is yet to win more than two games in a row since its opening four. The Sharks have scored two goals or less in six of their last seven games, which isn’t good in the face of an attack as dominant as the Maple Leafs are in possession. The Maple Leafs will be able to maintain their winning ways on the road.

Main trend: Maple Leafs is the favorite 12-2 in the last 14 matches

🏒 Jets at Flames, Saturday, 10 p.m. | TV: NHL.TV

Select: Flame (-164): The Flames have been one of the more impressive success stories of the first half of the NHL season. Calgary is tied for the second most points (29) in the NHL and has lost only three times in terms of regulation. The Flames overcame their opponents 19-4 on their current four-match winning streak and part of the reason for their stellar defensive effort is down to goalie Jakob Markstrom.

Markstrom has averaged 1.73 goals this season, the second best in the league. This veteran player also only scored 4 goals in the past 3 matches, including the previous victory Sabers last week.

As if the Flames’ stellar play wasn’t enough of a reason to side with them, the Jets will be on the field on Monday night. Additionally, the Jets have lost four straight games as of Friday and have scored only four goals in that span. Winnipeg also only scored 2.8 goals per game, which leads me to believe that they will most likely not be able to keep up with Calgary.

Main trend: The Flames are 4-1 in their last five games against a team with a losing record