Thursday’s NHL Scores Analysis
Massive Win for Books, With Six of 11 Underdogs Winning Outright

As we get closer to the postseason, let’s look at how last night’s NHL scores analysis and their effect on the standings. First, let’s dive deep into last night’s public betting against the puckline, moneyline, and totals. Underdogs winnings outright usually are good for the books, with Thursday being no exception.
The public was on the wrong side in eight of the 11 matchups last night, with sportsbooks winning the majority of their major decisions. Of the books monitored, three of four games with 70% or more of the money went against the betting public, resulting in a $3200 alone.
Overall, the guys behind the counter won $7260 on the night against $1000 moneyline players. Let’s look at a few of the games that broke the public and get you set up for the weekend with a few tips.
Bruins’ Rare Loss At Home to Oilers
Of all the books monitored, it’s no surprise that last night’s Boston Bruins vs Edmonton Oilers match-up was bet the heaviest with 22,520 total tickets written. The moneyline betting was tilted towards Boston, but not with the same confidence that we usually see with the team with the best record in hockey.
Just 54% of the moneyline dollars came in on the B’s (-159), but that was all the books needed to get a massive win after when Darnell Nurse’s wrister from inside the point got through a screen in front of Boston goaltender Jeremy Swayman to turn a 2-0 second period deficit into a 3-2 Edmonton win.
The man also grabbed a victory on the total with 92% of the money on the over. This win for the books set the tone for the rest of the card. Continuing our NHL scores analysis let’s hop over to the nation’s capital where there was more winning for the bookmakers.
Devils Continue to Pressure ‘Canes
Akira Schmid got the start in net for the New Jersey Devils against the Washington Capitals, dousing an opening number (-145) just a bit off what it normally would like be if Vitek Vanecek were starting in net. That caused another overreaction that once again went the way of the books. We’ve said it many times, the difference between most team starting goaltenders and their back-ups is razor-thin in most cases.
The public continues to think differently. We are aware of Vanecek’s recent streak of less-than-stellar games but he is still the number one guy in Jersey. 94% of the money came in on the over (6.5, -115) which is typically what happens when the public perceives a team to be starting their weaker goaltender. The public also was caught backing Jersey on the puck line with 98% of the cash on the Devils (-1.5, +165).
The Devils recorded a 3-2 win to stay four points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division but failed to cover the puck line even though the public did manage a win with 90% wagered on the moneyline. With just under 20,000 tickets wagered, even with the moneyline victory for the public, the books made quite a dent in the players’ bankroll. That was two of the biggest wins for the books last night, let’s conclude our NHL scores analysis review by giving our suggestions of what teams should you focus on heading to the weekend.
Boston, New Jersey, and Kraken Highlight Weekend Focus
The Boston Bruins’ third home regulation loss of the season, two of which came against Pacific Division teams, should make life difficult for the Detroit Redwings who have a back-to-back date with the angry bears starting with an afternoon match-up, Saturday. Boston will be close to a -300 favorite so we’re not suggesting laying that kind of cheese, but there is a regulation option that will knock that number down to a manageable amount. Stay up-to-date on the latest NHL scores and standings to inform your betting strategy.
We can’t imagine Boston being too happy after blowing a two-goal lead at home. The Gold and Black (+$13,960, tops in the league) are a perfect 5-0 after suffering any kind of a home loss and we can’t see this match-up against the Wings going against that trend. The New Jersey Devils (+$9030) continue their pursuit of Carolina with a winnable game in Montreal, Saturday, but be careful because the Canadiens have produced $4067 in winnings (4th) and this is the game before a showdown with Carolina on Sunday.
Could be a tough spot. The Seattle Kraken (+$8360) have a difficult back-to-back against the Dallas Stars, Saturday and Monday, in what will be a key weekend in the Pacific Division as the Kraken fight to stay within shouting distance of the Vegas Golden Knights who have a four-point lead but are fresh off an impressive road win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Seattle has been a reliable wager all season long but the strategy should be to bet the Kraken to win the first game and then the second if Dallas gets the game-one win. The idea is to get one of the two games in Seattle with a sweep unlikely. Remember, always bet with the money you have and stay disciplined. All the best this weekend.
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