NHL Playbook: Betting Lines, Odds & Picks For Saturday, Oct. 29

NHL Betting Lines, Odds & Picks for Saturday

Super Saturday is here and I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! Today presents us with a massive 12-game slate to weave through. Let's dive into these games and make some winning wagers tonight.

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Lets start our day off with a winner, and to do that, let's take a look at one of the early games on the NHL slate. The New York Rangers are taking on the Dallas Stars in an afternoon matinee. After starting the season out red-hot, the Rangers have cooled off considerably, and are now on a four game losing streak. This is a very talented team that I think will rebound. New York has had some very bad luck lately. They are usually dominating the pace of play in their games this season, outshooting opponents on average by a 37 to 30 margin. They just can't get the puck to the back of the net. This team is far better than what their record says, and this losing streak will end soon.

The Stars have been getting some of the best goaltending in the NHL to begin the season. Jake Oettinger clearly has cemented himself as one of the best net minders in the league, and he owns a sterling 1.17 GAA and .960 SV%. Dallas has needed him to perform at this level, because their offense has been pretty below average. They are getting just 28 shots per night, and scoring about three goals per contest.

PICK: The Rangers' losing streak has to end at some point, and I think they can beat Dallas here. You're getting plus-money right now on a team that I think has been better, outside of Oettinger.

Let's fast forward a bit to the evening slate, where we find the Toronto Maple Leafs taking on the Los Angeles Kings out in California. Two teams that have been very disappointing to start the season, with neither one owning a winning record right now. Toronto just lost the other night to the San Jose Sharks, one of the worst teams in the NHL this year. They have now lost to the Sharks and Arizona Coyotes early on, which is a bad sign. The Maple Leafs are still doing a good job with puck possession, outshooting opponents 31 to 27, but they can't seem to get those shots past the goalie enough. They've actually been very solid defensively, and have gotten some good goaltending as well. It is all about failure to get the puck in the net.

Los Angeles is a team that is similar to Toronto, but they have the opposite problem. Offensively, they have been above average in the goal-scoring department, and are outshooting their opponents 34 to 31. It's defense and goaltending that have been a major issue. Jonathan Quick had a resurgence last season, but the cup-winning netminder is starting to show his age, and it hasn't been pretty to start the season. He owns a poor 3.81 GAA and .878 SV%. He needs to improve, and so does his defense in front of him, allowing 31 shots per game.

PICK: The Maple Leafs are the better team here, and they will be looking to avoid a three-game losing streak. Their biggest weakness has been not being able to find the back of the net, but the Kings have been happy to oblige in that department this season.

The Sabres and Blackhawks are two of the biggest early surprises from this young season, with both teams looking competitive through their first seven games of the year. The Blackhawks are coming off of a disappointing loss to the Edmonton Oilers at home, even though they lost by just a goal against a far superior team. Chicago has been getting pretty lucky if you ask me, and that shows in their numbers. This team is taking just 26 shots per game, one of the lowest totals in the league, but they are averaging close to four goals per game. That isn't sustainable. Defensively, they are allowing 33 shots against, but giving up about three goals per contest.

Buffalo has also been pretty lucky to this point. The Sabres are taking more shots per game than the Blackhawks, at around 30 per game, but they are giving up a whopping 36 to their opponents. Their goaltending has been exceptional, allowing under three goals per game despite being peppered every contest. Without some incredible play from both Eric Comrie and Craig Anderson in net, this team would not be where they are right now.

PICK: I think both teams are outperforming expectations right now, but I'll ride with the home team here. Give me the Sabres.