Free NHL Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (04/05/24)

We have a quality six-game NHL scheduled going on this Friday evening, offering us a number of looks to get our weekend started on the right note!

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In this article, I'll provide my favorite betting picks for the NHL games on Friday, April 5. 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 - New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings

O/U: 6 | Moneyline: NYR (-135)

It's an Original Six matchup tonight in the Motor City as the desperate Detroit Red Wings play host to the New York Rangers.

It's been a dominant season for a Rangers team that sits atop the NHL standings with a league-beast 106 points. They enter this one having won eight of their last 10 and are 24-114 on the road, good for the third-most road victories in the NHL.

The Blueshirts have been equally dominant on both sides of the puck, sitting in a tie for sixth with 3.42 goals per game on the season and seventh with 2.78 goals against per game. At the same time, they fall all the way to 23rd in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at five-on-five (5v5) action. Additionally, they rank 21st in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5v5, as well.

Outstanding special teams have helped significantly as they sit fourth on the power play and third on the penalty kill on the campaign.

As for the Red Wings, they'll be a desperate club moving forward as they sit one point back of the Islanders for the second and final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand.

They are certainly in the right spot tonight as the Wings are 21-11-5 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit this season versus a subpar 16-19-3 on the road. Their offense has carried them to this point as they rank ninth with 3.32 goals per game while they rank 24th with 3.31 goals against per game. The Wings also rank 31st in xGA/60 at 5v5 and 27th in xGA/60 at 5v5 as their underlying data is among the worst in the league.

Quality special teams have helped them as well as they are in the top half of the league on the power play and penalty kill.

There is little doubt the Rangers are the superior team but a desperate Red Wings team should find its A game in this one while their work at home warrants a play at plus-money odds.

Pick: Red Wings moneyline (+114, DraftKings sportsbook)

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Today's NHL Betting Picks - Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers

O/U: 6.5 | Moneyline: EDM (-135)

It's a titanic clash tonight in Alberta as the Edmonton Oilers play host to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs are in a tight battle in the Central Division, sitting three points back of the Dallas Stars for first place but just four points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets for second place and home-ice advantage in the first round. There's plenty for this Avalanche team to play for moving forward.

They've predictably lit it up offensively with a league-high 3.72 goals per game with a power play that ranks sixth at just shy of 25% per game. They've handled themselves well defensive at 13th overall but their 82.3% clip on the penalty kill has them sitting seventh league-wide. They boast top-10 metrics on both sides of the puck, as well.

Connor McDavid (29-97—126 in 72 GP) enters tonight four points back of Nathan MacKinnon (48-82—130 in 76 GP) for second in the Art Ross Trophy race. Will he gain ground when the @EdmontonOilers and Avalanche battle on @TVASports at 9 p.m. ET?#NHLStats: https://t.co/x72G3cVdue pic.twitter.com/Wqydy8G1S0

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 5, 2024

Of course, the Oilers are no slouch offensively, either. Not only do they sit fourth overall with 3.54 goals per game on the season, but first with 3.18 xGF/60 at 5v5. Defensively, they sit in the top ten both on the surface and with their underlying xGA/60 at 5v5.

This should be a fun one. With the Avs owning the superior record and plus-money odds, the value is on them to come out on top in this one.

Pick: Avalanche moneyline (+114, DraftKings sportsbook)

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

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