NHL Playbook: Betting Lines, Odds & Picks For Friday, Oct. 28

NHL Betting Lines, Odds & Picks for Friday

Here we are again on a fantastic Friday, and today presents us with a six-game slate to weave through. Let's dive into these games and make some winning wagers tonight.

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The Boston Bruins are on the second leg of a back-to-back, having played the Red Wings on Thursday. The good news for them is that they are playing an opponent that they can handle, even with some fatigue setting in. The Bruins have been great to start off 2022, using their explosive offense to overwhelm opponents. Boston is taking 36 shots per game and scoring over four goals per contest as well. They are also getting some good goaltending to begin the year, so this is a team that is dangerous every night on the ice.

Their opposition can't say the same. The Blue Jackets have looked poor out of the gates, and that can be attributed to their lack of defense and goaltending mostly. Columbus is allowing over 32 shots per game, and also surrendering over four goals per game. The offense hasn't been bad, per se, but they have been pretty average. They take about 31 shots per game and score just over three goals. Those are disappointing stats for a team that acquired Johnny Gaudreau in the offseason hoping to boost their offense.

MY PICK: Boston's offense should be able to do whatever they want against this bad Columbus defense and goaltending, and will probably pepper the net with a bunch of shots. Even on short rest, I like the Bruins here.

Sometimes even the worst matchups are where you can find the most value. That is the case here with Arizona and Winnipeg, two teams that I can pretty much guarantee no one wants to watch. I want to give credit where it is due: the Coyotes have done better than I expected to begin the year. They have taken down the Maple Leafs already and they destroyed the Blue Jackets just a few nights ago on the road. The offense for this squad has been far better than predicted, which is average. If you said the Coyotes would be scoring over three goals a game before the year, some might think you are nuts. Now, that could definitely change, but it's a good start. Their defense however, is a serious issue. Arizona is allowing an insane 36.5 shots against per game, and giving up close to FIVE goals a contest. You aren't going to win often with those numbers.

As for Winnipeg, they've gotten some great goaltending to begin the season from Connor Hellebuyck. He's been outstanding, with a 2.20 GAA and .929 SV%, along with a shutout. He needs to be great because his offense isn't scoring very much. The Jets are scoring under three goals per game, even though their offense has been decent with around 31.5 shots per game. This isn't a very impressive team, outside of their goaltender of course.

MY PICK: It's hard to pick Arizona ever because of how bad their defense and goaltending is, but if there is a team that their net minders can succeed against, it may be Winnipeg. Maybe take a flier on the Coyotes at home for plus-money.

This is another game where the matchup presets us with some value. The Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Duck meet up in Sin City, and one team has a decisive advantage. The Knights have gotten some surprisingly fantastic goaltending to begin the year, with rookie Logan Thompson leading the way. He's been everything that Vegas could have ever hoped for in net, with a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV%, as well as a shutout. That was their biggest question mark coming into the year, and with him playing well, the Knights are a force to be reckoned with again. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders, scoring an average 3.25 goals per game. More goals will come, as they average 34 shots per contest.

The Ducks are one of the worst teams in hockey, and there are many reasons for that. Anaheim has been a total train wreck on offense and defense, you can start anywhere you want. Offensively, this team is taking just 25 shots per game, and scoring just over TWO goals per contest. How can you win games when you almost never have the puck in the first place? On defense, it could be worse. They are getting dominated, allowing an incredible 40 shots against per game, and giving up over four goals each time out. Don't even ask about special teams. Anaheim has scored just two power play goals this season, while surrendering 10 of them.

MY PICK: Take Vegas to dominate this game and win by margin. Golden Knights -1.5.