Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, February 15

The middle of February is here, which means it won’t be long until the real chase for the NHL postseason gets underway. This Thursday night has matchups set for close outcomes. There are two different games tonight that have the feel of potential outcomes. One significantly better team has a smaller game line than usual. Another game should likely have the other team as the favorite, thus giving more betting value.

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Seattle Kraken vs. Boston Bruins

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Thursday

• Moneyline: Kraken (+164) | Bruins (-198)

• Puck Line: Kraken +1.5 (-155) | Bruins -1.5 (+120) 

• Total: Over 5.5 (-112) | Under 5.5 (-108)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet $5, Get the No-Sweat First Bet up to $1,000, act fast!

My Pick: Boston Bruins (BOS)

This Thursday night in the NHL kicks off with a huge cross-conference matchup with the Boston Bruins (32-11-10) hosting the Seattle Kraken (22-21-10). This game will be the first matchup of the season with the second coming to a game after in Seattle.

Both the Kraken and the Bruins are attempting to rebound after their underwhelming start after the NHL All-Star break. The Bruins have lost three of the last four games since starting the second half of the season with all of them coming at home. Seattle has only won three of their last 11 games with all of their wins have come against underwhelming teams.

The Bruins possess units that are ranked in the top ten in the NHL. Their offense is averaging 3.36 goals per game thanks to the stellar playmaking abilities and leadership of forward David Pastrnak. Their defense has taken a slight hit in efficiency since the All-Star break, but they are still one of the top units in the league allowing an average of 2.57 goals per game (third in the league).

The Kraken has become one of the more consistent defenses for the past few months. Seattle is allowing an average of 2.57 goals per game thanks to a reliable set of defenders and goalies. Their offense, on the other hand, is underwhelming and slower as it averages 2.7 goals per game. This is an area that the Bruins will be able to take advantage of. 

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Thursday

• Moneyline: Flyers (+140) | Maple Leafs (-166)

• Puck Line: Flyers +1.5 (-175) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+145)

• Total: Over 6 (-118) | Under 6 (-102)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Wager $5 and get the No-Sweat Bet at DraftKings!

My Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (PHI)

One of the more interesting matchups coming from the Eastern Conference will be the first matchup of the season between the Toronto Maple Leafs (27-16-8) and the Philadelphia Flyers (29-19-6). The Flyers are quietly making themselves one of the more consistent teams in the Metropolitan Division. The Maple Leafs, while elite on offense, leave more to desired in terms of their place in the playoff race.

The Flyers have shown they can defeat any team that lines up in their schedule. One of their best wins in January was a 5-1 victory at home over the Dallas Stars after coming off a three-game road trip. After that loss, the Flyers lost five consecutive games to go into the NHL All-Star Break. The Flyers have composed themselves in a big way during the break as they’ve won four consecutive games.

The Flyers are more matchup-dependent on the offensive side of the ice as they are averaging 2.91 goals per game (22nd in the league). Defensively, Philadelphia is stout and efficient as they allow an average of 2.83 goals per game (11th in the league).

The Maple Leafs possess one of the most explosive offenses in the league thanks to a series of elite stars, including center Auston Matthews and forward William Nylander. Toronto is averaging 3.45 goals per game, sixth in the league. Their biggest weakness is their lack of productivity on the defensive side of the ice where they are allowing an average of 3.18 goals per game (21st in the league).

Toronto is 13-10-2 at home this season while Philadelphia has been more efficient on the road with a record of 15-7-4. The Flyers have the momentum, the tools to slow down the Maple Leafs’ elite offense, and the composure to play well on the road.