Free NHL Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (3/22/24)

It's Friday night, and nothing feels better than lining our pockets heading into the weekend. Playoff races are white-hot across the league as the regular season winds down, and desperation is at a boiling point. Let's get in on the fun.

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In this article, I'll provide my favorite betting picks for the NHL games on Friday, March 22. We will focus on money line bets, totals, and team totals. With all of that said, let's break down some hockey games. Follow me on Twitter/X @BKemp17.

Today's NHL Betting Picks - Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals

O/U: 6 | Moneyline: CAR (-205)

It's a Metropolitan Division clash tonight in the nation's capital as the Carolina Hurricanes pay a visit to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

It's the second game in as many nights for the 'Canes after securing a 3-2 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, their fifth straight victory. Despite scoring three goals on Thursday, the Hurricanes not only sit eighth in overall offense but second in terms of expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at five-on-five (5v5) action.

Defensively, Rod Brind'Amour's club ranks fourth overall with just 2.61 goals against per game, while they rank first in the league in expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) at 5v5 on the campaign. To no one's surprise, this team has been an advanced metric darling again this season.

The same cannot be said for the Capitals despite the club scratching and clawing for a Wild Card spot in the east.

The Caps' offense has taken a dive this season as they rank 28th with just 2.66 goals per game and 26th in xGF/60 at 5v5. This is something we're not used to seeing from this team, but also not entirely surprising as Nicklas Backstrom has missed much of the season and could be hanging up his skates due to ongoing hip issues.

On the surface, they haven't been as bad defensively around the middle of the pack overall, but once again, their underlying metrics are rough as they sit 26th in xGA/60 at 5v5.

There are a couple of silver linings for the home team in this one, however. This is not only a back-to-back for the Hurricanes, but a back-to-back against divisional opponents. That was a hard-fought game in Philly on Thursday and despite their consistent readiness, they may not be at 100% for this one.

Additionally, Ovi has caught fire. After scuffling for a good chunk of the season, "The Great Eight" has tallied five goals over his last three games and 15 over his last 22. Obviously, he's the type of player to will his team forward, and the Caps absolutely need everything he has while sitting three points back of the second Wild Card spot in the east, but they sport two games in hand on the Red Wings.

The Hurricanes are excellent, but let's roll the dice here and see if the Caps can take advantage of a back-to-back on home ice.

Pick: Capitals moneyline (+170, DraftKings sportsbook)

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Today's NHL Betting Picks - Seattle Kraken vs. Arizona Coyotes

O/U: 5.5 | Moneyline: ARI (-112)

The theme this evening is taking advantage of vulnerable opponents. Of course, that means the Arizona Coyotes are in the exact same spot as the Capitals: skating on home ice against an opponent playing their second game in as many nights.

The Kraken battled the Vegas Golden Knights hard Thursday night in Sin City, scoring a goal at 13:29 of the third period to knot the game at one apiece. However, a back-breaker from Vegas with just 1:20 to go was the go-ahead marker before an empty-netter sealed a tough 3-1 loss. That's going to be a difficult one to bounce back from.

It's been a tough season for a Kraken team that has notably regressed in its second campaign. Their one goal scored on Thursday lowered their per-game total to just 2.65 on the season, good for 29th league-wide. While their power play sits in the middle of the pack, they also rank 24th in xGF/60 at 5v5.

On the contrary, they have actually been strong defensively. They sit ninth overall with 2.87 goals against per game and ninth again in xGA/60 at 5v5. They've also benefited from solid goaltending, sitting eighth with a .905 overall save percentage on the season.

It's been an equally difficult season for the Coyotes, who sit only ahead of the Ducks, Blackhawks, and Sharks in the Western Conference.

They enter this one sitting 22nd in overall offense and 23rd in xGF/60 at 5v5. One positive has been the power play that has managed a solid 22.33% clip, good for 13th in the league, even slightly ahead of the high-octane Vancouver Canucks.

They've been similarly subpar defensively, ranking 23rd overall and 20th in xGA/60 at 5v5. Their penalty kill has also scuffled to a 76.21% clip, good for 26th overall.

Nonetheless, the Coyotes should absolutely win this hockey game. Neither club has anything to play for, and the Kraken should be exhausted. Additionally, the Coyotes have been a far better team at home this season, where they are 17-16-0 versus a disastrous 11-20-5 mark on the road.

Let's ride the 'Yotes to a moneyline win this evening.

Pick: Coyotes moneyline (-112, DraftKings sportsbook)

Good luck, RotoBallers! Let's cash some bets and make some money today!

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