WNBA Best Bets (Wednesday 9/25)
Josh Gross
There are six games in the NHL Saturday, but most DFS sites include just the four evening matchups beginning at 7 p.m. ET in their featured contests.
It’s an interesting player pool and docket, too. The Maple Leafs are the lone notable favorite with the other three games essentially coin flips, according to the odds. It’s worth noting San Jose and Anaheim played Friday, whereas Vancouver and Toronto faced off Thursday. The Battle of Alberta between Edmonton and Calgary, and the Penguins-Islanders tilt is the first meeting of the season in both cases.
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Pittsburgh Penguins (-105) at New York Islanders
Both clubs had their most recent miniseries postponed, and the Penguins are expected to receive a boost on the blueline with Kris Letang (lower body) and Michael Matheson (upper body) both potentially returning to the lineup. New York enters with a five-game losing streak and is eighth in the East Division, so the small break was probably good for the Isles, too. It’s worth noting that the Islanders have struggled to generate offense with just 1.86 goals and 8.45 high-danger scoring chances per hour this season. Additionally, it’s a good thing they inked Mathew Barzal. His four tallies and six helpers pace the club, and he’s also the only player with more than five points on the season.
It will be interesting to see who Pittsburgh starts in goal. Casey DeSmith has outplayed Tristan Jarry to date, but the layoff could prove beneficial for the latter, and the matchup projects to be soft. Also, Sidney Crosby has just a single goal through the past four games, and Evgeni Malkin hasn’t got going at all this season with a tally, four helpers and no multi-point showings through 10 contests. It would be surprising if Crosby and Malkin didn’t find their scoring form sooner than later because they’re flanked by talented wingers. However, while the Islanders have struggled offensively, they’ve remained solid defensively with just 6.45 high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes at five-on-five — second-fewest in the league.
Vancouver Canucks at Toronto Maple Leafs (-195)
Toronto topped Vancouver 7-3 Thursday and is a hefty favorite again Saturday. Aside from bullying Ottawa during a three-game series, the Canucks have underwhelmed to the tune of a 3-8 record with a minus-20 goal differential. Plus, Vancouver has allowed the second most goals per hour in the league this season. Toronto generated 16 high-danger scoring chances to Vancouver’s five in Thursday’s win while also dominating the five-on-five possession with a 62.9 Corsi For percentage.
The John Tavares–William Nylander–Wayne Simmonds line was particularly effective for Toronto Thursday. They attempted 11 shots and created five high-danger scoring chances while surrendering just four and one through 10:06 of five-on-five ice time. Alternatively, Auston Matthews scored twice to extend his goal-scoring streak to six games. His 28.0% shooting percentage during the stretch is going to negatively regress, and this could be a spot to consider fading him with Vancouver likely focusing on playing better team defense.
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames (-121)
This is Game 1 of the Battle of Alberta, and the two teams enter in opposite form. Edmonton has won three straight, whereas Calgary lost consecutive games to the Jets. The Oilers have been outscored by 21 goals through 11 games when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl aren’t on the ice and a plus-20 goal differential when at least one of them is on the ice. It’s a telling difference. The two stars have piled up 15 goals and 31 assists through 12 games and are the obvious driving forces for Edmonton. It’s worth noting that Calgary has been stingy defensively this year with the sixth-fewest five-on-five goals allowed per hour.
The strong team defense has hindered Calgary’s offensive attack, though. The Flames have only scored 14 times through 10 games at five-on-five, and they only have four skaters with at least eight points — Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm lead the way with 11 each. Calgary probably has a goaltending advantage, though. Jacob Markstrom owns a .920 save percentage and 2.37 GAA through his eight starts and is capable of taking over games.
San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (-115)
This is the second meeting in consecutive nights for the Sharks and Ducks, and the two teams played an even game Friday with exactly 56 shot attempts and 10 high-danger scoring chances each in San Jose’s 5-4 shootout win. It was an admirable showing for Anaheim without captain and No. 1 center Ryan Getzlaf (lower body) and could be out again Saturday. With backup Ryan Miller likely to start for the Ducks, San Jose is probably positioned to have a solid showing. Miller has surrendered three goals in both of his appearances this year and owns an underwhelming .908 save percentage and 2.95 GAA through 45 games dating back to the 2018-19 campaign.
Anaheim ranks third last, and San Jose is fifth last in high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes, and they’re third and fourth worst in shot attempts surrendered, respectively. As a result, there should be plenty of opportunities for goals, which was the outcome Friday. On paper, the Sharks boast the better offensive attack, but the Ducks have a number of young players looking to prove themselves. Expect this to be an overlooked game in daily contests, which could provide some contrarian and against-the-grain value.
