Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, March 11

This past week was one last serious attempt for teams to improve their rosters with the NHL trade deadline. Several, if not all, of these teams made serious moves to improve the roster, with some creating win-now situations for this year's postseason. Other teams gave up critical players and pieces to look forward to the future. These moves will definitely make an impact, not only in the playoffs but in every single game moving forward, including tonight. Look for some of these new players to contribute early and make more of an impact on the sports betting side.

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New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Monday

• Moneyline: Devils (+130) | Rangers (-155)

• Puck Line: Devils +1.5 (-192) | Rangers -1.5 (+160) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Get $150 in Bonus Bets if you open your DK account today.

My Pick: New York Rangers (NY)

Among the busiest teams during the NHL Trade Deadline were the New Jersey Devils (31-29-4) and the New York Rangers (41-18-4). The Devils made risky moves that could affect their offense, but they felt their defense was an area that needed to be addressed. The Rangers, on the other hand, made a series of careful moves to improve the small areas of their roster without having to give up too much. These moves by New York were made based on the concern that the players it traded for were free agents at the end of the season. However, they feel comfortable about the prices they gave up and how these trades could help the Rangers seriously contend for the Stanley Cup Trophy at the end of the season and beyond.

This Monday night, the Rangers and the Devils will meet for the third time this season as divisional rivals. It has not been a solid attempt by the Devils to defeat their rivals, as the Rangers have taken both games in New Jersey. The Rangers have outscored the Devils 10-4 this season and it wouldn’t be a shock if that trend continued.

The Devils are ranked 12th in the league in goals per game (3.3) and it won’t get easier with the team trading away forward Tyler Toffoli. The biggest concern the team is attempting to fix is the lack of efficiency with the defense, as the Devils give up an average of 3.48 goals per game (27th most in the league). They hope that will change with the trade of former Montreal Canadians goalie Jake Allen, who is projected to start tonight.

The Rangers made a series of trades that will look to improve the offense. However, they are already on the right path, as they are averaging 3.32 goals per game (10th in the league), which is much better than earlier in the season. Defensively, they are even more elite, as they are ranked sixth in the league in goals allowed per game (2.68).

Given the recent history of the rivalry, how the Rangers got much better after the NHL Trade Deadline and the game line that, somehow, makes the Rangers somewhat favorable, this is the best bet of the night in the NHL.

New York Islanders vs. Los Angeles Kings

• Time: 10:30 PM E.T. - Monday

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

• Puck Line: Islanders +1.5 (-180) | Kings -1.5 (+150) 

• Total: Over 6 (+100) | Under 6 (-120)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Score $150 in Bonus Bets with DraftKings when wagering just $5!

My Pick: Los Angeles Kings (LA)

While many teams in the league made moves during the NHL Trade Deadline, the teams that didn’t make moves were the New York Islanders (29-20-14) and the Los Angeles Kings (32-20-11). Both the Kings and the Islanders feel confident in their rosters, which helps them contend for the remainder of the season and in the future.

The final game of the night will be set as the Islanders go on the road to take on the Kings. The Islanders are hoping to maintain their presence as the final Wild Card team in the Eastern Conference playoffs, just barely having a lead over the Detroit Red Wings. Los Angeles is currently in third place in the Pacific Division but plays in a brutal Western Conference.

The Islanders are getting hot at the right time this season. After winning only three of the first eight games coming out of the NHL All-Star Break, the Islanders have accounted for six consecutive wins, with the first three being at Dallas, Detroit, and home against Boston. They have outscored their opponents 30-11 in the last six games. Their previous wins include a 7-2 win at San Jose and a 6-1 win at Anaheim.

The Kings are a much different team than the Ducks or the Sharks. Los Angeles possesses one of the most elite defenses in the league, as they allow an average of 2.63 goals per game (third in the league).

Los Angeles has won three of the last five games played on a tough schedule. They have only accounted for one goal in the losses to Vancouver and Dallas. Their offense isn’t great as they are only averaging 3.05 goals per game (20th in the league) but they are facing an Islanders’ defender that is allowing an average of 3.21 goals per game (21st in the league).