Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, April 17

Tonight is the second to last night in the NHL which means there will be some teams that will be playing their final game of the NHL regular season. The Eastern and the Western Conference playoffs are set. This means that the teams that will be playing in the playoffs will likely take it easy until the postseason. While the other teams look to finish their season on the right note. Among the Best Bets for tonight will be teams that have just barely missed the playoffs and will look to and their season on the right path. Look for some of these Best Bets and lines to come from DraftKings.

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Wednesday

• Moneyline: Penguins (-162) | Islanders (+136)

• Puck Line: Penguins -1.5 (+136) | Islanders +1.5 (-162) 

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

My Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins (PIT) at DraftKings

Among the biggest games of the night is the Eastern Conference matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins going on the road to take on the New York Islanders. The Islanders have already locked up a playoff spot so there won't be much to fight for. Meanwhile, the Penguins are left disappointed after failing to make the postseason after a Washington Capitals victory on Tuesday night. This could be a game where the Penguins try to finish the season in a big way.

This game tonight would be the 4th and final match of the season between the two teams. The Penguins have won both of the games by a significant margin. They won the first game two games after Christmas with a 7-0 score. Four days later, they squeaked out a 3-1 win. The Islanders were able to get revenge with a 5-4 score win in overtime on February 20.

The Islanders have won seven of the last eight games, including Monday’s 4-1 road win over the New Jersey Devils. The Penguins have won six of the last eight with their losses coming at the hands of the Boston Bruins and at the Toronto Maple Leafs, thus ruining their chances for the playoffs.

The Penguins have the more efficient units on both sides of the ice. Pittsburgh ranks 18th in the league in goals per game (3.07) and 13th in goals allowed per game (3.00). The Islanders rank 23rd in goals per game (2.96) and 19^th in goals allowed per game (3.14). This might be a game that the Penguins will take with the Islanders preparing for their postseason run.

Bet on Penguins at DraftKings

St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Wednesday

• Moneyline: Blues (+185) | Stars (-225)

• Puck Line: Blues +1.5 (+135) | Stars -1.5 (+114) 

• Total: Over 6 (-110) | Under 6 (-110)

My Pick: Under 6 Goals Scored (-110) at DraftKings

The nationally televised game of the night will be set as the St Louis Blues go on the road to take on the Dallas Stars in this Central Division game. The Stars are among one of the best teams in the league and have promptly secured a Western Conference playoff spot long ago. They will be entering this game with some caution and attempting to not overwork their players. The Blues, on the other hand, are attempting to make a significant run for the postseason and have come close but ultimately fell short about a week ago. They will end the regular season tonight with potentially some down emotions. 

This game will be the 4th and final matchup of the Season between the two teams. In the three games played, both teams have not been able to score more than three goals. The one time it was more than three goals, the Blues defeated the Stars in overtime with a 4-3 score. 

There is a very good chance that defense will prevail again in this game. Dallas enters this game with the 10th-ranked scoring defense in the league, allowing an average of 2.85 goals per game. St Louis comes into this game with a 15th-ranked scoring defense, allowing an average of 3.05 goals per game.

Under regular circumstances, this game has been a hard defensive matchup. In the circumstances with the Stars taking a mental break and the Blues feeling blue about their playoff hopes, it could be another low-score matchup tonight.

Bet on Under 6 Goals at DraftKings