Race for Division Title and Playoffs Deliver NHL Slate Value

• With all NHL teams having only three or less games remaining on the season, playoff hopefuls and possible division winners will be playing with urgency.
• The New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes sit just one point apart for the lead in the Metropolitan Division, with the winner beginning the playoffs with home ice advantage.
• The Pittsburgh Penguins on the other hand are chasing the playoffs, sitting just one point behind the last playoff spot with one extra game remaining ahead of the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders.

NEWARK, N.J. – With a few teams facing high-intensity playoffs and divisional race situations, the best NHL plays should lead to some strong value as they play their hardest to win.

Likely the biggest game of the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins will be Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, as a regulation win would place them into the top Eastern Conference playoff spot with one game to go. Legal betting sites are all-in on this narrative, favoring the Penguins with very favorable -500 odds.

Three Most Important Games for 4/11 Slate Odds

Devils, Sabres Enter High-Stakes Matchup

With the New Jersey Devils chasing the Metropolitan Division title and the Buffalo Sabres in pursuit of an unlikely but possible playoff berth, each team will be playing their best hockey as they both believe this is a must-win game.

Among the game lines, none seem particularly interesting as the Sabres and Devils have consistently gone back and forth in recent matchups. However, one player has been especially dominant against the Sabres: Devils superstar Jack Hughes.

Both of Jack Hughes’ props, shots on goal over 3.5 (-130) and anytime goalscorer (-115), have been consistently in play against Buffalo. Over their last five matchups, Hughes has scored at least one goal in four straight games while also having five total over his last five. His shots on goal are much the same, getting the puck on net at least four times in four straight games against the Sabres.

Of the two, anytime goalscorer is likely the better value due to being favored slightly less. At nice -115 odds, Hughes can be expected to lead his team to victory and help gain a narrow lead on the Metropolitan Division heading into the playoffs.

Hurricanes Look to Break Skid and Hold Off Devils

The Carolina Hurricanes have performed quite poorly lately, riding a three-game losing streak into a matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. However, this is now a must-win game for them as they hold onto a very tight one-point lead in the Metropolitan Division with the New Jersey Devils quickly catching up.

Recent matches with these two teams have not trended in the Hurricanes’ favor. Over the last five the Hurricanes have won just twice and did not cover the spread in the four most recent games. This certainly bodes well for the Red Wings to cover the +1.5 puck line (-105).

Perhaps the top game prop here is for the total of 6.0 to be under, as the two teams have done so in four straight matchups. The –110 odds are certainly approachable, though a slight concern in the Red Wings’ porous defense as of late will have to be considered. Overall, this game is one of the more difficult to predict but history does favor a low scoring, gritty game between the two.

Penguins Dealt Phenomenal Matchup for Playoff Hopes

With the Pittsburgh Penguins also in a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, they have been blessed with a great matchup against the Western Conference’s worst team: the Chicago Blackhawks.

Because the two do not play each other often, there is little recent history between these two teams, yet bettors can certainly take advantage of the Blackhawks’ bottom three shots on goal defense. While legal sportsbooks have short odds for most of the Penguins skaters, the best one is likely Evgeni Malkin over 2.5 shots on goal, which sports -130 odds.

Malkin has covered this line in seven out of his last 10 games as well as four straight matchups against the Blackhawks. With the Penguins aiming to win their last two games to secure a playoff spot, Malkin and co. can be expected to put on a show against the lowly Blackhawks.