Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, March 1

Tonight's NHL games are lined up, and they're shaping up to be significant for the sports betting scene. While they may not have a big impact on the postseason race, they're certainly making waves in the world of betting.

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Philadelphia Flyers vs. Washington Capitals

• Time: 8:00 PM E.T. - Friday

• Moneyline: Flyers (-120) | Capitals (+100)

• Puck Line: Flyers -1.5 (+210) | Capitals +1.5 (-258) 

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

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

My Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (PHI)

Two Metropolitan Divisional rivals meet on the ice for the second time this season for a key battle in the standings. The Philadelphia Flyers (31-22-7) go on the road to take on the Washington Capitals (27-22-9). This is a game that has a huge impact on how the rest of the playoff race could be run.

The Flyers defeated the Capitals at home with a 4-3 score in a shootout on December 14. Multiple players for the Flyers contributed to the scoreboard, while Capitals center Dylan Strome was the player who mainly contributed to the scoreboard.

That has been the theme for the Flyers and the Capitals all this season. Philadelphia has seen a lot of contributions from several players this season, including forwards Travis Konecny and Joel Farabee and defender Travis Sanheim. The Capitals have mostly seen solid play from forwards Alex Ovechkin and Strome, with limited contributions throughout the season.

Both Philadelphia and Washington have been teams that have been playing well defensively, but their offense has been limited due to the mild pacing. The Flyers are ranked 21st in the league in goals per game (2.98), while they are allowing an average of 2.92 goals per game (11th in the league). The Capitals are ranked 29th in the league in goals per game (2.59), which has been a consistent form for them since the start of the season. Washington was among the most efficient defenses when the season started but has since declined rapidly. The Capitals are ranked 19th in the league in goals allowed per game (3.14).

The Flyers are the team that has been shown to get better at certain points of the season, while the Capitals have been getting worse.

Arizona Coyotes vs. Ottawa Senators

• Time: 8:00 PM E.T. - Friday

• Moneyline: Coyotes (+160) | Senators (-192)

• Puck Line: Coyotes -1.5 (+148) | Capitals +1.5 (-124) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (-188) | Under 6.5 (-102)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Score a No-Sweat Bonus at DraftKings when wagering just $5!

My Pick: Ottawa Senators (OTT)

Another early matchup tonight that may not have playoff implications, but will have great betting potential is the cross-conference matchup between the Arizona Coyotes (23-31-5) going on the road to take on the Ottawa Senators (25-29-3). Both the Coyotes and the Senators are essentially out of the race for the playoffs barring an incredible run of a great win streak, which is not impossible.

This game has great potential in the sports betting industry, as the Senators are a surprising team to face, while the Coyotes have become a disaster late in the season.

Ottawa is a team that lacks consistency, especially on the defensive side of the ice. Their high-power offense not only keeps them in the game, but also helps them find ways to win big games. The Senators have lost three of the last five games, but those two wins have come against the Dallas Stars and the Vegas Golden Knights.

At one point in the season, the Coyotes were a serious threat for a Western Conference wild-card spot. Since the 5-2 home win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 22, Arizona has become one of the least efficient teams in the league. The Coyotes have lost 14 consecutive games, dropping eight games below .500%.

One aspect that will certainly play into the matchup will be the offense of the Senators taking on a fatigued and withered Coyotes’ defense. The Senators are ranked 11th in the league in goals per game (3.3) as they take on a Coyotes’ defense that allows an average of 3.31 goals per game.