The NHL regular season continues with a loaded slate of 14 games across a busy Saturday. So, our staff of hockey betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified the best value on the board.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made three NHL picks for today's matchups. Continue below for our NHL best bets and predictions for Saturday, February 8.
NHL Best Bets, Predictions, Picks, Odds: Saturday, February 8
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | |
| 8 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Sabres vs. Predators
By Ryan Sura
Nashville has been the biggest disappointment of the NHL season, without a question. After getting destroyed by Chicago, 6-2, last night, it seems the Predators' floor can’t get much lower.
Which is why I’m going to sound insane when I say this is the time to buy low.
The Sabres come into this game with four straight regulation wins over Boston, New Jersey, Columbus, and these Predators. However, they’ve scored almost 8 goals above expectation, scoring on 18% of their shots at even strength. This production isn’t sustainable for Buffalo.
That'll be true against a motivated Predators team that they just beat last week, 4-3. Nashville has seen what they can do, but now the location has flipped, which is very favorable for the Preds, who are 12-10-3 at home, but 6-18-4 on the road. Buffalo is 13-12 at home, but 9-14-2 on the road.
We’re seeing the same goalie matchup as that January 31st matchup of Justus Annunen vs Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. That's good news for the Preds, as Annunen is 4-0 at home since being traded from Colorado to Nashville.
Plus, Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, and UPL all played in their last meeting, but are all game-time decisions for their matchup tonight. If UPL doesn’t start it’ll be James Reimer, which would make this price skyrocket.
After losing to Buffalo just last week and getting embarrassed vs Chicago last night, I think this is the best opportunity to buy low on a Preds team that’s played their best hockey at home all year anyway.
Pick: Predators ML (-130)
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We're getting a really nice price here as I'm loving the overs in Nashville games right now.
The Predators are horrendous defensively and have been for the last couple of weeks. Nashville rank second-worst over its last 10 games, allowing 4.22 goals per game. They used Juuse Saros last night and got lit up for six goals by the worst offense in hockey. They are projected to have a backup (Juustus Annunen) in net today.
Buffalo isnt much better defensively, ranking fourth-worst over the last 10 games, allowing 3.44 goals per game.
Buffalo's Tage Thompson returns from injury, which is huge for goals here. The reason I loved this so much more is both Nashville and Buffalo rank top 10 in goals scored over the last 10 games as well. Buffalo ranking fifth-best at 3.44 goals per game and Nashville ranks eighth-best at 3.22 goals per game.
You can get the push potential on BetRivers with a line of 6, which is super nice, but 6.5 is totally playable as well.
Pick: Over 6 (-113)
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Islanders vs. Wild
We will trust the home team to take care of business tonight. The Wild have been inconsistent at home this season with a record of 12-12-1. That record will improve over the rest of the season and that will begin with a home victory tonight.
Tonight is a tough spot for New York. The Islanders have struggled on the road this season with a 12-16 record SU.
Let’s cash our third consecutive NHL Play of the Day!
Pick: Wild ML (-155)
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