NHL Best Bets Today: Expert NHL Picks for 03/13/2025

The Golden Knights and Blue Jackets matchup presents a compelling case for goals, with both teams ranking among the NHL's top six in scoring. Vegas sits fifth while Columbus holds the sixth position in goals per game.

Columbus has been particularly vulnerable defensively, ranking 27th in goals against. Their recent four-game road trip saw them concede 17 goals, highlighting their defensive struggles. However, they've shown remarkable offensive prowess at home, particularly on the power play where they convert at an impressive 29.4% rate.

Vegas enters this contest averaging 3.7 goals in their last 10 games while maintaining a solid road scoring average of 3.03 goals per game. The Knights' offensive firepower, combined with Columbus's defensive issues, creates a perfect storm for a high-scoring affair.

The Blue Jackets have been trending towards high-scoring games, with the over hitting in 7 of their last 10 matches. Their home games have been particularly explosive, averaging over 4 goals per game.

Recent head-to-head history might suggest otherwise, with their January meeting producing only 3 goals. However, current form and statistical trends strongly indicate we're in for a much different outcome this time around.

Both the Blues and Penguins have been struggling offensively this season, with each team averaging just 2.82 goals per game. This matching offensive output suggests a potentially low-scoring affair.

The Penguins' defensive unit, led by Erik Karlsson and Matt Grzelcyk, has shown ability to create turnovers and limit quality scoring chances. Their positioning at the blue line has been particularly effective in disrupting opposing attacks.

St. Louis's defensive corps, anchored by Justin Faulk and Philip Broberg, has demonstrated strong ability to contain opponents in their defensive zone. Their systematic approach to limiting shots should help keep the scoring down.

Both goaltenders enter this matchup in solid form. Joel Hofer has been making crucial saves for the Blues, while Alex Nedeljkovic has shown consistency for the Penguins.

Recent trends support a defensive battle, with both teams focusing on structured play rather than run-and-gun hockey. The Blues' recent offensive output of just one goal in their last game further supports the under play.

The Devils enter this matchup with momentum, having secured back-to-back victories against the Flyers and Blue Jackets. Despite missing key players like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey has shown remarkable resilience.

Edmonton's recent form has been concerning, winning just 3 of their last 10 games. Their recent 3-2 loss to Buffalo, despite outshooting them 34-23, exemplifies their current finishing struggles.

New Jersey's special teams could be the difference-maker here. The Devils boast the league's 4th-best penalty kill at 82.8%, while Edmonton struggles in this department, ranking 25th with a 75.2% success rate.

The Oilers' defensive woes are particularly concerning, having allowed 4.2 goals per game over their last ten contests. Meanwhile, the Devils have found offensive contributions from unexpected sources, with Luke Hughes collecting 5 points in his last 4 games.

The emergence of Cody Glass, who has notched 3 points in his first 2 games with the Devils, adds another dimension to New Jersey's attack. Combined with the consistent elite production from Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier, the Devils present a formidable challenge for the struggling Oilers.