Friday's best NHL bets
Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres (-200, 5.5)
Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is the most popular guy in Buffalo. But while the puck-stopper steals headlines, the team?s offense has been just as sharp during the Sabres? five-game winning streak.
Buffalo has scored a total of 19 goals during this stretch, including a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night. The Sabres went for the throat early, scoring three goals in the first 2:11 of the first period.
"I couldn't believe it, we were really frazzled at that point," Tampa Bay?s Martin St. Louis told reporters of the Sabres? quick start. "You can't dig yourself in a hole like this."
Buffalo has won nine straight games over the Maple Leafs, most recently taking a 3-2 overtime victory in Toronto back on December 21. The Leafs have won just three of their last 10 games heading into Friday.
Pick: Sabres
New York Islanders at Dallas Stars (-155, 5.5)
The return of goaltender Rick DiPietro could have a negative impact on an Islanders team starting to settle in, winning three of its last four games.
DiPietro is with New York on its current three-game road swing, which started with a 3-2 win in Colorado Wednesday. Goalie Dwayne Rolson stopped 30-of-32 shots in that game and has been solid in recent weeks, winning five of his last six appearances.
With DiPietro and his insane 15-year deal sitting on the bench, the team will feel pressure to give him a go. DiPietro is coming off surgeries to both knees as well as his hips over the last two years and hasn?t played in a NHL game in over a year. However, management will want to see their star investment on the ice sooner than later.
DiPietro could get the nod against Dallas Friday or the Isles could go with Roloson, who will now be singing for his supper. Either way, a rusty goalie or a nervous goalie doesn?t bode well for New York.
Pick: Stars
Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres (-200, 5.5)
Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is the most popular guy in Buffalo. But while the puck-stopper steals headlines, the team?s offense has been just as sharp during the Sabres? five-game winning streak.
Buffalo has scored a total of 19 goals during this stretch, including a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday night. The Sabres went for the throat early, scoring three goals in the first 2:11 of the first period.
"I couldn't believe it, we were really frazzled at that point," Tampa Bay?s Martin St. Louis told reporters of the Sabres? quick start. "You can't dig yourself in a hole like this."
Buffalo has won nine straight games over the Maple Leafs, most recently taking a 3-2 overtime victory in Toronto back on December 21. The Leafs have won just three of their last 10 games heading into Friday.
Pick: Sabres
New York Islanders at Dallas Stars (-155, 5.5)
The return of goaltender Rick DiPietro could have a negative impact on an Islanders team starting to settle in, winning three of its last four games.
DiPietro is with New York on its current three-game road swing, which started with a 3-2 win in Colorado Wednesday. Goalie Dwayne Rolson stopped 30-of-32 shots in that game and has been solid in recent weeks, winning five of his last six appearances.
With DiPietro and his insane 15-year deal sitting on the bench, the team will feel pressure to give him a go. DiPietro is coming off surgeries to both knees as well as his hips over the last two years and hasn?t played in a NHL game in over a year. However, management will want to see their star investment on the ice sooner than later.
DiPietro could get the nod against Dallas Friday or the Isles could go with Roloson, who will now be singing for his supper. Either way, a rusty goalie or a nervous goalie doesn?t bode well for New York.
Pick: Stars
