3 NHL Predictions | Monday Hockey Picks Today, Best Bets
Sportsgrid Staff
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NHL Best Bets for Monday, Oct. 28
Here’s a look at our top picks on a busy night in the NHL. We break down the Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Winnipeg Jets, and San Jose Sharks vs. Utah Hockey Club.
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Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres
The Florida Panthers have started the 2024-25 season strong, defying the usual championship slump with a solid 6-3-1 record. While their offense is hot, defensive lapses are creeping into their game, showing in their recent high-danger chances allowed. The Buffalo Sabres, coming into form and tightening their defense, look poised to challenge this offensive streak.
Although the Panthers’ offense has driven them forward, their defense has been inconsistent, allowing over ten high-danger opportunities in four of the last five games. This pace is hard to maintain, particularly given Florida’s recent 15.8% shooting accuracy, which isn’t sustainable long-term. On the other hand, the Sabres have consistently held three of their last four opponents to seven or fewer high-danger chances, improving their save percentage to 91.3% at five-on-five.
The Sabres‘ defensive structure and improved goaltending make them a strong choice for Monday’s game, especially given Florida’s inflated price. Fans in Florida can disagree and have plenty of legal sportsbooks and promos to go against our grain. For those in Western New York, we’re riding with Buffalo, so check the latest promos before you decide to heed our advice.
The Pick: Sabres Moneyline +122
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Toronto Maple Leafs vs Winnipeg Jets
Analytically, the Toronto Maple Leafs are a powerhouse with a data-driven approach, while the Winnipeg Jets rely heavily on their skilled players. Despite the Jets’ impressive 8-0-0 start, their underlying stats tell a different story, with a low 46.9% expected goals-for percentage. Monday night’s game against the Leafs could expose these weaknesses.
The Jets have been outperformed in six of their eight games this season, indicating an impending regression. Meanwhile, the Leafs have consistently generated scoring opportunities, even as recent results haven’t gone their way. Their expected goals-for rate of 48.9% hasn’t translated to the scoreboard, where they hold a lower actual goals-for percentage of 40.9%, a disparity likely to even out soon.
With the Jets coming off a demanding three-game road trip, the Leafs have the edge to break Winnipeg’s streak, using their analytic insights to drive home a win.
The Pick: Maple Leafs Moneyline +100
San Jose Sharks vs Utah Hockey Club
While many bettors favor the over in tonight’s Western Conference showdown between the San Jose Sharks and Utah Hockey Club, both teams’ low-output offenses point towards an under outcome. Known for defensive playstyles, neither club takes significant offensive risks, keeping scoring low.
San Jose remains one of the league’s lowest-scoring teams, managing just 5.9% shooting efficiency this season. Their high-danger chances average only 7.6 per game, and they’ve been held scoreless in three of the last four outings. The Utah Hockey Club similarly averages low on high-danger chances, producing just under eight per game.
Both teams are disciplined defensively, with Utah preventing opponents from surpassing nine high-danger opportunities in the past four games, and San Jose containing four of six opponents to eight or fewer. With these defensive mindsets, expect a low-scoring contest under the 5.5 total.
The Pick: Under 5.5 +112
