The NHL is heating up this week with thrilling matchups, playoff races, and star-studded performances. Whether you’re betting on classic rivalries or high-stakes showdowns, bet365 has your back with their $1,000 First Bet Safety Net.

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Key NHL Matchups to Bet On This Week (writing is as of March 17)

• Calgary Flames vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Mar 17):
  • As we inch closer to the playoffs, we have a marquee matchup featuring two Canadian teams, one of which is looking to break into the Wild Card race.
  • The Flames are in a rough position, yet they’re hanging on by a thread to stay in the hunt. They’ve gone 4-3-3 in their last 10 games, including a 4-2 home loss to the Avalanche. Tonight, they enter Toronto, where luck hasn’t been on their side against the Leafs. In their last 10 meetings with Toronto, Calgary is 1-8-1, including five consecutive losses. The only thing keeping the Flames alive is rookie netminder Dustin Wolf, who has posted a 22-13-5 record, a .914 SV%, and a 16.0 GSAx. Outside of Wolf, there haven’t been many standout players, aside from MacKenzie Weegar.
  • After starting the second half of the season with a bang, the Toronto Maple Leafs are now jeopardizing their playoff position. They’ve lost five of their last six games, most recently to Ottawa, which is creeping up. Goaltending, once a reliable option for the Leafs, is now struggling. Anthony Stolarz has posted an .892 SV% since returning from the Four Nations break, while Joseph Woll has a concerning .814 SV%. You can always count on Toronto’s “Big 4” of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares, but without reliable goaltending, the team is in a precarious position.
• Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens (Mar 18):
  • Hockey in Canada hasn’t been this hot in a long time. All seven teams are in the midst of a playoff race, including the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. Ottawa has been riding high with six consecutive wins, most recently against the Maple Leafs. It seems like the Linus Ullmark experience is working out, as he hasn’t lost a game in regulation in March and is heating up at the right time. Along the way, Tim Stützle has registered a point in 17 of his last 18 games, while captain Brady Tkachuk is in the midst of a nine-game point streak.
  • Even with Ottawa’s strong stretch, Montreal may pose a serious threat. The Habs are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and most recently handled the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday. Now, Montreal is in a five-way battle for the final Wild Card spot with the Rangers, Columbus, Detroit, and Boston. Sam Montembeault has been electric since capturing a gold medal as Canada’s third-string netminder for the Four Nations Face-Off, posting a .932 SV% and a 7-0-1 record. Budding star Cole Caufield has also scored six goals in his past eight games, forming an impressive connection with captain Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovský.
• Colorado Avalanche vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Mar 19):
  • March has been awfully kind to the Avalanche. Not only did they acquire multiple-time 30-goal scorer Brock Nelson at the trade deadline, but they’ve also racked up a 6-0-1 record. While Nelson hasn’t registered a point since his debut in maroon and blue, the vibes are high in Mile High. Nathan MacKinnon seemed to be running away with his first-ever Art Ross Trophy, but Leon Draisaitl is closing the gap. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has been a saving grace for a team that once struggled with consistency in net. Since being acquired from San Jose, he’s having a stellar season, posting a .915 SV% and a 12.4 GSAx.
  • Whatever happens Monday for the Maple Leafs, it could make this game even more crucial. Toronto is dangerously close to losing its Atlantic Division seed, with Ottawa creeping up. How will goaltending hold up against Calgary? Will the depth step up? Toronto can’t keep relying solely on its four main players. Adding Brandon Carlo to the defense was a huge move and should eventually pay dividends for a blue line that has often struggled to find its identity. But facing the Avs—who haven’t lost in regulation all month—will be a serious test.
• Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers (Mar 20):
  • Strap in for a fun one on Thursday. The best team in the NHL, the Winnipeg Jets, heads to Northern Alberta to face the Oilers, who are looking to regain momentum. It’ll be the first meeting between these teams since October 9, when the Jets throttled Edmonton 6-0. Most likely, we’ll see two-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck in net, seeking Four Nations revenge against Connor McDavid, who beat him in overtime of the gold medal game. Additionally, the trio of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Gabe Vilardi has been as dangerous as ever. Connor has registered points in seven of his last eight games, and Scheifele is inching closer to the Jets 2.0 scoring record.
  • Edmonton has started to build some momentum after a disastrous start to the second half of the season. After losing four straight games to open, the Oilers have rebounded, winning five of their eight games in March. The aforementioned Draisaitl is currently playing like the best player in the world. He’s riding an 18-game point streak and has recorded points in 26 of his last 27 games. Not only that, but he’s also just one goal away from notching his fourth career 50-goal season. The one hot-button topic remains Edmonton’s goaltending. Is Stuart Skinner a reliable starting netminder? Consistency issues continue to haunt him.
• Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Mar 21):
  • It’s the only game on the docket for Friday, so let’s gear up for this Metropolitan Division matchup.
  • With the Columbus Blue Jackets, you’re either getting all or nothing. They started the second half of the season as one of the hottest teams in the NHL, possibly sneaking into the playoff hunt. Now, they’ve dropped three straight and five of their last six. The offense is there, and the defense is solid, but Columbus is always at the mercy of its goaltending. Elvis Merzlikins has struggled with consistency throughout his career, and this season is no different. Every time he finds some success, he comes crashing back down. He’s now riding a four-game losing streak with an .882 SV% during that stretch.
  • Just when you thought they were out, they pull you back in. The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a bizarre season. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, they strung together four straight wins to regain some ground. They’re still six points behind the Rangers for the final Wild Card spot, but there’s at least a reason for optimism in the Steel City. Sidney Crosby hasn’t lost a step at 37, registering points in four straight games, but the real star of the second half has been Rickard Rakell. Rakell has points in seven of his last eight games, including six goals, pushing his season total past 30 for the third time in his career.
• Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Rangers (Mar 22):
  • Don’t look now, but Elias Pettersson is starting to heat up—and at the perfect time. For most of the season, Pettersson was at the center of drama, and his play suffered because of it. Despite that, the Vancouver Canucks have managed to stay in the thick of the playoff race. They’ve also received quality production from goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who has taken over as the starter this season. With Thatcher Demko sidelined by injuries, Lankinen has stepped up in his first full-time starting role, posting a .904 SV% and a 23-13-7 record—earning himself a five-year contract extension. Vancouver faces a tough challenge as the New York Rangers find themselves in a similar position.
  • Many expected the Rangers to be near the top of the standings, not fighting for a playoff spot. It’s been an inconsistent season, and March hasn’t been any different, with a 4-3-3 record. Igor Shesterkin has gone from one of the league’s best goalies to a question mark, posting an .899 SV% since returning from the Four Nations break. Former Canuck J.T. Miller has been a bright spot since arriving on Broadway, averaging exactly a point per game. This week, New York will run through the Canadian gauntlet, hosting four teams from Canada at Madison Square Garden, where the Rangers are just 16-15-3.
• Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Mar 23):
  • We have another powerhouse matchup, this time taking place in Sin City. The Tampa Bay Lightning, fresh off a 6-2 dismantling of the Bruins in Boston, will look to regain the momentum they had last month. In March, the Bolts are 4-3-1—a far cry from their undefeated regulation run in February. Nikita Kucherov, the league’s third-leading scorer, is well on his way to a third consecutive 100+ point season, but Andrei Vasilevskiy has struggled lately. Over his past four starts, he has posted an .857 SV% but still managed a 2-2 record—a testament to the high level of play in front of him. Perhaps it’s just a bump in the road for the Big Cat.
  • The Vegas Golden Knights rewarded one of their own, signing Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Adin Hill to a six-year, $37.5 million contract extension. Hill has been stellar since returning from the break, but with the Lightning coming to town, he could be in for a challenge. He holds a career 1-3 record against Tampa Bay, with an .843 SV% and a 3.99 GAA. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Tomas Hertl remain Vegas’ go-to stars, but one player making a major impact is Pavel Dorofeyev. The Russian winger is putting up career-high numbers, and if he keeps up this pace, he’ll hit 30 goals in a season for the first time in his young career.

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Best NHL Betting Strategies

1. Player Prop Bets:

• Focus on stars like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon. Popular options include Player to score anytime or Over/Under points.
• Example: Bet on McDavid to record Over 1.5 points in Edmonton’s games this week.

2. Over/Under Bets:

• When expecting a higher-scoring game, betting the over is an optimal choice. Some sportsbooks offer alternative totals, but keep in mind that adjusting the line will impact the odds.
• Example: Calgary vs. Toronto has a total set at 5.5, which is typically a barometer for a lower-scoring game. However, if your analysis suggests a high-scoring matchup, betting the over—which means both teams combine for 6 or more goals—is the play to make.

3. Live Betting Opportunities:

• Tight games, like Lightning vs. Golden Knights, are ideal for live betting, as momentum shifts can create unique opportunities.
• Example: Tampa Bay takes a two-goal lead heading into the third period. Once the third starts, Vegas scores a goal in the first minute, creating a prime opportunity to live bet on Vegas to continue their momentum.

Best NHL Bets For This Week

This week’s NHL action promises big matchups and even bigger betting opportunities. With bet365’s $1,000 First Bet Safety Net, you can bet boldly knowing you’ll get a second chance if your first wager doesn’t hit.

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