Tonight's NHL slate features several compelling matchups where defensive prowess meets offensive firepower, headlined by the red-hot Toronto Maple Leafs taking on a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins squad.
Our NHL best bets spotlight intriguing opportunities across the board, with the Dallas Stars looking dominant at home and the Carolina Hurricanes aiming to capitalize on the Calgary Flames' recent scoring woes.
From power play efficiency to back-to-back game impacts, we've analyzed key trends and statistics to bring you the most promising picks for today's action.
NHL best bets
| Game | Time | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 1:00 PM | Toronto Maple Leafs Money Line (-130) |
  | 5:00 PM | Under 5.5 Goals (-115) |
  | 6:00 PM | Dallas Stars -1.5 (-110) |
Penguins vs. Maple Leafs
Sunday, Mar 2
1:00 PM
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
The Maple Leafs are showcasing impressive form on the road, winning six of their last seven away games, while the Penguins are struggling with four losses in their last five matches.
Toronto's offensive prowess is particularly noteworthy, having scored at least five goals in three of their last four games, complemented by a strong power play conversion rate exceeding 23 percent.
The Penguins' defensive vulnerabilities are evident, having conceded 17 goals in their last three home games, and their fatigue factor from playing on consecutive days adds another layer of concern.
Toronto's defensive performance has been solid, allowing just eight goals in their last three road games, suggesting they can effectively contain Pittsburgh's offense.
The combination of Toronto's offensive momentum and Pittsburgh's defensive struggles, coupled with the fatigue factor, strongly favors the Maple Leafs in this matchup.
Hurricanes vs. Flames
Sunday, Mar 2
5:00 PM
Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
The Hurricanes boast one of the league's most effective defensive units, allowing just 2.78 goals per game, with Jaccob Slavin and Dmitry Orlov leading the defensive effort.
The Flames have been particularly ineffective offensively, scoring only three goals in their last three games, suggesting a continued struggle against Carolina's robust defense.
Both teams demonstrate excellent defensive capabilities, with the Flames allowing only 2.93 goals per game and the Hurricanes maintaining their strong defensive record.
The presence of skilled goaltenders on both sides, with Pyotr Kotchetkov for Carolina and Dan Vladar for Calgary, adds another layer of defensive security.
The combination of strong defensive systems and struggling offenses, particularly from Calgary's side, strongly indicates a low-scoring affair.
Stars vs. Blues
Sunday, Mar 2
6:00 PM
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
The Stars are demonstrating exceptional offensive capabilities, averaging 3.36 goals per game and having netted 26 goals in their last five matches.
Dallas's defensive unit, led by Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell, has been remarkably effective, limiting opponents to just 2.56 goals per game.
The Blues' offensive struggles are apparent, managing only 2.82 goals per game, which plays perfectly into the Stars' defensive strengths.
Dallas's home ice advantage combined with their balanced performance on both ends of the ice makes them a strong favorite to cover the spread.
The Stars' offensive firepower, particularly through Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston, suggests they can maintain their scoring momentum against the Blues.
