NHL Playbook: Betting Lines, Odds & Picks For Friday, Oct. 21

NHL Betting Lines, Odds & Picks for Friday

Yesterday we had a massive slate in the NHL to pick some winners from, but today, we have a very small three-game board to seek out some value. Sure, it is a little harder to find with limited lines, but we will take a look at each game and figure something out. Of course, the BetQL model also has its picks for this week, and that is not something you want to miss with how well the model has done over the past year.

The model has gone 304-241-0 (56% win) on 3-Star and higher NHL spread bets of $100 in the last 365 days, so be sure to check out the model's best bets for tonight. BetQL subscribers can see more betting trends and all of our best bets with star ratings for every pick.

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A rematch of the Eastern conference second round playoff series last year, both of these teams are overflowing with talent, but one of them is struggling early on. Tampa Bay has won two Stanley Cups in the last three years, and has made it to the Final for three straight. They have started the season out looking like the amount of games they have played over the last three years is starting to catch up with them. The offense hasn't been nearly as good, and the defense has been lackluster. They will probably turn it around, but it hasn't looked good.

The Panthers have started out looking like their Presidents Trophy-winning selves from last season. The offense has been looking pretty good, and the defense has done much of the same. They are off to a hot start, and you would expect that from a team that is as loaded as Florida is. The Panthers are averaging almost four goals per game, while allowing just three.

PICK: Tampa has owned this Panthers team as of late, but I think the tide could shift here. Give me Florida at a small number.

Long past are the days of the Blackhawks dynasty, and what remains is not pretty. I'll be fair to them, they have been slightly better so far then I anticipated, especially on defense. They are allowing under three goals per game so far, which is really good for a team like this. The offense has been really bad, however, already getting shutout once this season. I expect that will happen a bit more as we move along. Chicago is rebuilding, so don't kid yourself. This is a bad hockey team.

Detroit is looking to get out of their long rebuilding stage as Chicago is entering it. The Red Wings have looked very effective offensively and defensively, scoring four goals per game and allowing just over two. That can be a little deceiving though. They are getting outshot on a nightly basis, and they sometimes have looked overmatched. But they are winning where it counts, and that is on the scoreboard.

PICK: It's the Blackhawks home opener, and enthusiasm for the team has never been lower over the last 10 years plus. Still, most fans have to know that this will likely be the last one with team legends Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, who led the team to three Stanley Cup Championships, and the last remaining players from that era. The building will be electric, even if the team sucks. Detroit will probably win, but Chicago could be worth a look at plus money.

Last stop of the night could be a blowout, but don't sleep entirely on this Kraken team. While they have lost three straight, and the scoreboard has not looked favorable for them, they have actually played pretty well. Seattle is averaging 32 shots per game, but only allowing 29. They are outshooting opponents to start the season, and they have a plethora of young, hungry players. They aren't as bad as you might think.

Colorado is just so good. That offense can score goals better than anyone in the league, and the depth is incredible. They only average one more shot per game than Seattle, but are scoring almost a goal and a half more per game. That's efficiency, and it is something that Seattle has yet to learn. The goaltending situation is a real problem for the Kraken, and that could be a disaster against Colorado at home.

PICK: The Avalanche don't have the best goaltending situation either, but they have the offense to exploit Seattle's weakness. I'll take them on the PL.