NHL Tuesday Picks

The 2021 NHL regular season is headed toward the finish line, and a full slate of NHL Tuesday picks means a lot of familiarities but a lot of roster questions as teams hit the home stretch. Long-time sports broadcaster David Tuchman is here to preview his NHL Tuesday picks and break down the latest odds and trends that impact his betting decisions.

When you bet on sports and in this case, the NHL, you expect the ups and downs. Enjoy the roller coaster ride because no matter how good you are, you can’t win them all. We were in a bit of a rut betting on hockey, but the last few days have been kind to us and we currently stand at 62-57-1 for +1239 on the season heading into our NHL Tuesday picks.

A full slate of NHL games to digest and a few where we see opportunity. It’s time for our NHL Tuesday picks.

NHL TUESDAY PICKS:

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (24-12-2, 50pts) at NEW YORK RANGERS (17-15-5, 39pts), 7 p.m. ET
MONEYLINE: Rangers -117 ML, Penguins +102 ML
PUCK LINE: Rangers -1 (+145), Penguins +1 (-175)
OVER/UNDER: 6 goals (-118/+100)
Click here for the full list of Penguins-Rangers odds.

The Penguins have been very good as of late – winning 5 of their last 6. They allowed 7 goals last game (7-5 loss to the Bruins) and I’m wondering if the mounting injuries are starting to affect their play. 

Tristan Jarry is in net and while he’s been good, I like the Rangers netminder, Igor Shesterkin, even more. 

The NY Rangers are a Jekyll and Hyde team and you never know what team will show up, but they have oodles of talent. Adam Fox is playing like a Norris Trophy candidate (best defenseman award) and with Shesterkin in net, we’ll bet on the healthy team tonight.

The Pick: Rangers -117 ML

BOSTON BRUINS (19-10-5, 44pts) at PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (18-14-5, 41pts), 7 p.m. ET
MONEYLINE: Bruins -132 ML, Flyers +115 ML
PUCK LINE: Bruins -1 (+128), Flyers +1 (-152)
OVER/UNDER: 5.5 goals (-110/-108)
Click here for the full list of Flyers-Bruins odds.

Jeremy Swayman is in net tonight for Boston. Who??? Yeah, exactly. With Boston’s starter injured, their back-up in Covid protocol, the Bruins are down to their 3rd and 4th starters. My beer league goalie is next up. 

The Flyers have Carter Hart in net who has been better since he was given a little time away, but the team is still a mess defensively and when it comes down to it, this game is too important to Boston for them to lose.

The Pick: Bruins -121 ML

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (26-10-2, 54pts) at COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (14-18-8, 36pts), 7 p.m. ET
MONEYLINE: Lightning -225 ML, Blue Jackets +190 ML
PUCK LINE: Lightning -1 (-143), Blue Jackets +1 (+120)
OVER/UNDER: 5.5 goals (+107/-125)
Click here for the full list of Lightning-Blue Jackets odds.

The Lightning are coming off a disappointing loss against Detroit. Disappointing to them, not me as we bet on Detroit at +310. I expect Tampa Bay to come back strong tonight especially with their #1 goaltender, Vezina hopeful – Andrei Vasilevskiy starting. 

Couple that with Joonas Korpisalo in net for the Blue Jackets and we don’t mind betting on Tampa despite the scary price.

The Pick: Lightning -220 ML

ANAHEIM DUCKS (11-21-7, 29pts) at SAN JOSE SHARKS (17-16-4, 38pts), 10:30 p.m. ET
MONEYLINE: Sharks -182 ML, Ducks +155 ML
PUCK LINE: Sharks -1 (-117), Ducks +1 (-103)
OVER/UNDER: 5.5 goals (-112/-106)
Click here for the full list of Ducks-Sharks odds.

Don’t look now, but the left for dead San Jose Sharks have won 4 straight. They are now only five points out of a playoff spot. Tonight, they play the woeful Ducks.

Based on all this, you’d expect me to bet on the Sharks, but I think the betting line has swung too far. John Gibson has battled injuries and inconsistency this season, but he’s still a top goaltender. If he’s in net, I’ll be wagering on the Ducks. If he’s not, I will stay away. There are plenty of sites that will let you know who is starting, but if you follow me on twitter @Tuckonsports I’ll update that game before the puck drops. 

The Pick: Ducks +160 ML (if and only if Gibson starts in goal) 

BUFFALO SABRES (8-23-6, 22pts) at NEW JERSEY DEVILS (13-17-6, 32pts), 7 p.m. ET
MONEYLINE: Devils -155 ML, Sabres +133 ML
PUCK LINE: Devils -1 (-105), Sabres +1 (-114)
OVER/UNDER: 5 goals (+100/-118)
Click here for the full list of Sabres-Devils odds.

Someone break up the Sabres! They’ve won 2 of 3 after losing 18 straight. Let’s not for a second start thinking Buffalo is any good and tonight they’ll be without one of their best players in Taylor Hall. He’s being kept out for precautionary reasons since he’ll most likely be traded. So, no Jack Eichel, no Hall …. I’m thinking No win.  

Just a few days ago, you’d get +280, +310, +265 if you bet on Buffalo, but they win two games and their odds have slipped to +133 – Woah! That’s an overreaction!

The Devils will likely have their backup goalie in net (Scott Wedgewood) and that doesn’t make me happy, but I see value in New Jersey regardless.

The Pick: Devils -149 ML