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 its $1,000 First Bet Safety Net.

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Key NHL Matchups to Bet On This Week (writing is as of March 10)

1. Detroit Red Wings vs. Ottawa Senators (March 10):
   • We start the week in Ottawa, Ontario, the capital of Canada, where the Senators are hosting the Detroit Red Wings.
   • Ottawa is fresh off a huge 4-3 overtime win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Getting back captain Brady Tkachuk from injury was a massive win for the Sens as they continue to scratch and claw for the Wild Card playoff positioning. It’s clear that Tkachuk, who is riding a five-game point streak, is the straw that stirs the drink in Ottawa. The Senators are 6-8-3 all-time when their captain isn’t on the ice. Additionally, Ottawa bolstered up its forward depth by adding 24-year-old Dylan Cozens, who is two years removed from a 30-goal season, and in the second year of a seven-year contract, just prior to the trade deadline from the Sabres. Fabian Zetterlund was also added from the San Jose Sharks to bolster the Sens for a playoff run.
   • While everyone in the playoff hunt continues to trend up, the Red Wings are trending down fast. They’ve suffered five consecutive losses, including a 5-2 loss to the Capitals most recently. The 4 Nations break was proven to be beneficial to many teams, but for the Red Wings, it’s not even close. Captain Dylan Larkin, who impressed many in the 4 Nations, has struggled since returning to league play, with only three points in eight games since the hiatus. Earlier last week, Larkin drew the ire of his head coach, saying that he was a “no-show” in a few games. Can Detroit pick it up, or will Ottawa start to pull away?
2. Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins (March 11):
   • Whenever these two teams square off, there are always fireworks. However, this meeting may hold a whole different meaning.
   • Over the trade deadline, the Florida Panthers acquired longtime Bruin and former captain Brad Marchand. It was an odd and peculiar divorce for Marchand and the Bruins, as there were discussions for an extension that seemingly went awry. Eventually, the division rival and defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers stepped in and acquired the veteran. Marchand hasn’t played since March 1 after suffering an upper-body injury, and he’s not expected to play in this matchup. However, there will undoubtedly be tension in the air after Florida poached a Boston sports icon. Florida is also riding a six-game winning streak, and that is without superstar Matthew Tkachuk.
   • So, what’s next for the Bruins? It doesn’t look like they have their eyes on the playoffs anymore. In addition to giving away Marchand, they also traded Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic, Justin Brazeau, and Brandon Carlo. While they also acquired a solid piece in Henri Jokiharju, he’s hardly a difference-maker. The 2024-25 season has overall been weird for Boston. It fired coach Jim Montgomery in the first two months of the season, and since then, the Bruins have had a difficult time attempting to ascend in the standings. They may not see their old captain donning red just yet, but the energy in TD Garden will certainly be palpable.
3. Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames (March 12):
   • Calgary and Vancouver have been scratching and clawing all season for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, with both teams’ inability to hold onto some consistency, it’s been a never-ending fight. The Flames recently came on top of Montreal with a 1-0 victory and maintained their 18-10-4 home record. The problem is, in their last 10 games, they’ve gone a mediocre 4-3-3. Calgary’s success has been a result of exceptional goaltending. There’s no outright star on either end of the ice, but Dustin Wolf has kept this team alive. The rookie netminder has played to an exceptional .915 SV% and a 14.7 GSAx.
   • The Canucks may not be built in the same fashion as their counterparts, but they’re in a similar position in the standings. Inconsistency has been the name of the game for the Canucks, as they’ve had a hard time stringing along any form of momentum. Captain Quinn Hughes has been huge for the team, but he hasn’t seen the ice since March 1 due to an undisclosed injury. Additionally, Elias Pettersson has been invisible since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off. In the eight games back, he’s only registered two points with a goal and an assist, which is a far cry from his past two seasons, where he averaged over a point per game.
4. Edmonton Oilers vs. New Jersey Devils (March 13):
   • The Edmonton Oilers didn’t need to make any drastic moves, but they needed to expand their depth. They added defenseman Jake Walman, who was having a career-high season in points, as well as grinders Trent Frederic and Max Jones. Edmonton went through a rough patch in February, where it fell victim to five consecutive losses, but is on the rebound with wins in three out of its last four. Monday begins the start of Edmonton’s East Coast trip, starting in Buffalo, before it finds its way into New Jersey, where the Oilers face the Devils. They’ve had a significant amount of success on the road; however, in the last eight away games in Eastern Conference barns, they’ve fallen in seven of them.
   • Are the Devils in trouble? Many seem to think so after superstar Jack Hughes fell to a season-ending upper-body injury. Odds for the Devils to miss the playoffs before Hughes’ diagnosis were at +1000, only for that number to drop to +360 once it was ruled that Hughes was done for the season. They did come out on top against the Flyers on Sunday by a score of 3-1; however, before that, they fell to three consecutive losses. Luckily, the Devils are still in an OK spot, holding onto the third seed in the Metropolitan Division. But the East has been a dog fight all season long, and if New Jersey struggles to find any solution, it could be on its way out of the playoff hunt.
5. Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets (March 14):
   • Perhaps the biggest move of the trade deadline was from the Dallas Stars, acquiring superstar winger Mikko Rantanen. Dallas, which already was a legitimate Stanley Cup contender prior to the deal, further solidified its status with the addition of Rantanen. It’s been a wild run for the Stars, winning eight out of their last 10, and it doesn’t seem like it’s stopping. There’s an embarrassment of riches out in Big D since first-line center Roope Hintz went down after taking a puck to the face, forcing Wyatt Johnston to take over. Given that this will be the first game that the Stars will have played since Sunday, we may see Hintz assume his usual position against their Central Division foe, the Winnipeg Jets.
   • The Jets share the best record in the NHL with the Washington Capitals. Over the deadline, Winnipeg attempted to make some big moves, but for reasons out of its control, it steered towards adding depth and sandpaper. Enter Brandon Tanev and Luke Schenn. Tanev began his NHL career in Winnipeg and enjoyed ample amounts of success there. Now, with more miles under his belt, he’ll use his experience and grittiness to add a new dimension to the Jets’ dynamic lineup. Schenn is a big-bodied defenseman who can eat up a decent chunk of minutes while playing defensively responsible. Additionally, he’s won a pair of Stanley Cups, so he can bring that experience to a team that’s desperate to kick into a new gear.
6. Ottawa Senators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (March 15):
   • Four games in one week. We’ll find out more about the Senators this week once they land in Toronto, but for a team that’s looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017, this stretch will be crucial. Ottawa has prided itself on being a “pesky” group, so this stretch should be a nice challenge. However, in the thick of a playoff race, anything is possible. While the actual playoffs start in late April, playoff implications have already begun.
   • Toronto was blazing hot coming back from the 4 Nations break, with five consecutive wins. Now after that, it fell to three in a row. To start this week, it will face off against Utah and then a heated division battle against the Panthers. The Big 3 in Toronto (Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews) have all been performing at a high level, and Matthew Knies has broken out as a major impact player. The defensive end and goaltending have not been where they needed to be, which is why the Leafs acquired Brandon Carlo. Additionally, they picked up Scott Laughton, who can provide solid depth down the middle.
7. Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche (March 16):
   • When the schedule was released, neither the Colorado Avalanche nor their fans were expecting how big of a matchup this would be. It’s Mikko Rantanen’s return to Denver after an ugly divorce. Rantanen and the Avalanche neglected to come to a contract extension, with him ultimately getting traded to Carolina. When he couldn’t agree to a deal in Carolina, the Hurricanes traded him to Dallas after 13 games. Dallas would have only played one game this week against Winnipeg, so it’ll be well-rested for puck drop.
   • The Avalanche is in the midst of a five-game winning streak and will have faced off against Chicago, Minnesota, and Calgary in the time being. Hosting the Stars won’t be easy. The Central Division is a bloodbath, and Colorado is slowly approaching the number-two slot where Dallas has held strong for a while. It’s also possible that Nathan MacKinnon walks away with the Hart Trophy this season. In his past five games, he’s gone scorched Earth, registering 13 points, with back-to-back two-goal games. It will most certainly be one of the NHL’s marquee matchups on Sunday afternoon, so strap up and get ready for a ride.

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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 score in a certain game, betting the over is an optimal choice. Alternative totals depending on what sportsbook is in use, are also available. However, depending on what total is chosen, expect the odds to change
• Example: Detroit vs. Ottawa’s total is 5.5 which is typically a barometer for a lower scoring game. However, if you have good reason and analysis to suggest a high-scoring game, the over – essentially, that both teams combine to score six or more goals – is the bet you want to place.

3. Live Betting Opportunities:

• Tight games like the Stars vs. Avalanche are ideal for live betting, where momentum shifts can create unique opportunities.
• Example: Dallas took a two-goal lead heading into the third period. Once the third starts, Colorado scores a goal in the first minute, creating an opportune time to live bet Colorado to continue its 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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