Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, April 16

Tonight is the end for several teams this season in the NHL. Several of these teams will make their run continue through the postseason as they chase for the Stanley Cup while others are preparing for next year's run. Two games stand out in particular for some of the Best Bets to be made. One is a matchup that could feature two teams that do not make the playoffs, while another is a first-round matchup that will happen. Look for these beds and more to be great opportunities placed through DraftKings.

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Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Tuesday

• Moneyline: Red Wings (-162) | Canadiens (+136)

• Puck Line: Red Wings -1.5 (+136) | Canadiens +1.5 (-162) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)

My Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (DET) at DraftKings

Bet on Hurricanes at DraftKings

One of the first best bets coming from this Tuesday night is set as the Detroit Red Wings (40-32-9) go on the road to take on the Montreal Canadiens (30-36-15). This is a game that should help the Red Wings get into a more comfortable position for one of the final two spots for the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

This game will be the last game of the regular season for both teams and the fourth and final meeting between these Atlantic Divisional rivals. Detroit has won the last two matchups, including Monday’s 5-4 home overtime win for the Red Wings. Detroit forwards J.T. Compher and Lucas Raymond both scored two goals against the defense of the Canadiens.

The only time this season that the Canadiens came out as the winning team was on November 9 at home with a 3-2 score in overtime. The victory is surprising due to the fact that the Canadiens won with their defense.

Offensively, there is a significant difference between the two teams. Detroit comes into this game with the ninth-ranked scoring offense averaging 3.33 goals per game. Montreal, on the other hand, is averaging only 2.8 goals per game, 27^th in the league.

The portion of the game that gave the Red Wings struggles last night and throughout the season is their play on the defensive side of the ice. The Red Wings rank 24^th in the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.31) with the Canadiens following them two spots at 26^th in the league (3.4 goals allowed per game).

The Red Wings are showing their fatigue this late into the season. They need as many points as possible in the Eastern Conference Playoff chase and playing three consecutive overtime games can be difficult to overcome. Any other team, the Red Wings might take a loss, but the Canadiens are coming off their sixth loss in seven games. For as fatigued as the Red Wings are, the Canadiens are not the team to capitalize on the tired Red Wings.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers

• Time: 7:30 PM E.T. - Tuesday

• Moneyline: Maple Leafs (+114) | Panthers (-135)

• Puck Line: Maple Leafs +1.5 (-218) | Panthers -1.5 (+180) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (+102) | Under 6.5 (-122)

My Pick: Florida Panthers (FLA) at DraftKings

Bet on Panthers at DraftKings

Potentially the biggest matchup of the night is set as the Toronto Maple Leafs (46-24-10) go on the road to take on their divisional rival in the Florida Panthers (51-24-6). This game will be a small preview of the round one Eastern Conference Playoffs matchup between the two teams. This game will be the only primetime game set on national television, thus giving this game more hype.

The game tonight will be the fourth and final matchup for these two teams as it will also be their final game of the regular season. The Panthers took the first game of the series with a 3-1 win at home on October 19. Toronto has since won the remaining two games with the first being on November 28 with a 2-1 in a shootout. The last time these two teams have played, the Maple Leafs won an offensive-heavy game 6-4 on April 1.

Toronto has the stars on the offensive side of the ice to make a serious run for a Stanley Cup title. Center Auston Matthews and forward William Nylander have created the Maple Leafs offense to rank second in the league in goals per game (3.65). They are certainly a challenge for the Panthers’ defense which ranks second in the league in goals allowed per game (2.42).

The biggest key will be on the other side of the ice which will also be a factor for the postseason. Florida’s offense is only averaging 3.21 goals per game (14^th in the league) but Toronto’s defense fairs no better by allowing an average of 3.13 goals per game (17^th in the league).

The Maple Leafs have momentum, but the Panthers will have a home-court advantage. It is fair to say that whoever wins this game tonight will be the favorites going into the playoff series.