Tonight's NHL best bets spotlight two intriguing matchups featuring teams with contrasting momentum, as the Vancouver Canucks look to bounce back against the New Jersey Devils while the Dallas Stars aim to extend their impressive home winning streak against the struggling Minnesota Wild.

Our expert NHL picks focus on defensive battles and under trends, with both games showing strong indicators for lower-scoring affairs given recent performance metrics and head-to-head histories.

From the Canucks' promising +130 odds as road underdogs to the Stars' dominant 9-1 record in their last 10 home games, today's slate offers compelling opportunities for strategic wagering.

NHL best bets

GameTimePick
Devils logoCanucks logo
7:30 PMVancouver Canucks ML (+130)|Under 5.5 Goals (-110)
Stars logoWild logo
8:00 PMDallas Stars ML (-150)

Devils vs. Canucks

Canucks logo

Monday, Mar 24

7:30 PM

Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Canucks logo

The Canucks are showing real grit heading into this road matchup against the Devils, despite coming off a tough loss. Their offensive firepower, led by Brock Boeser and Conor Garland, has been creating havoc for opposing defenses with their quick puck movement and zone entries.

What's really catching my eye is Vancouver's defensive setup. Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek have been absolute monsters in their own zone, forcing turnovers and keeping shots to the perimeter. This could be crucial against a Devils squad that's been struggling to find the back of the net, averaging under 3 goals per game.

Kevin Lankinen's been solid between the pipes for Vancouver, and he's facing a Devils team that's looked pretty toothless lately. When you consider New Jersey's recent offensive woes, Lankinen could be in for a relatively comfortable night.

The value here is too good to pass up. Getting the Canucks as road underdogs feels like finding money in your winter coat - unexpected but welcome. Their structured play and offensive capabilities make them a serious threat to take two points from this one.

While the Devils have home ice advantage, they haven't been making the most of it lately. Vancouver's well-rounded game plan and superior puck possession should give them the edge in what could be a tight affair.

This matchup has all the makings of a defensive chess match. Both teams have been struggling to light the lamp lately, with the Canucks averaging just 2.79 goals per game and the Devils showing similar offensive limitations.

The Devils' defensive unit, anchored by Johnathan Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon, has been particularly stingy at home. Jake Allen's been making key saves when called upon, and he's got a solid track record against Vancouver's shooting patterns.

On the flip side, Vancouver's defensive corps, led by Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek, has been exceptional at disrupting opposing teams' flow through the neutral zone. They've been particularly effective at limiting high-danger scoring chances.

The Devils' recent offensive output - just seven goals in their last three games - isn't exactly inspiring confidence. When you pair that with Vancouver's defensive prowess and their own scoring struggles, we're looking at a potential low-scoring affair.

Both teams' recent trends and defensive capabilities point toward a tight, under-total game. The goaltending matchup between Lankinen and Allen could turn this into a real battle of the netminders.

Stars vs. Wild

Wild logo

Monday, Mar 24

8:00 PM

American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX

Wild logo

The Stars have been absolutely dominant on home ice, winning nine of their last ten games at American Airlines Center. That's not just a streak - it's a statement about their comfort level and execution in front of the home crowd.

Dallas's offensive output has been particularly impressive, netting nine goals in their last three home games. Their power play's clicking at over 22%, which could be devastating against a Wild team that's dead last in penalty killing.

Minnesota's road woes are real - they've dropped five of their last seven away games. Their offensive production takes a notable dip on the road, managing just six goals in their last three road games. That's not gonna cut it against a Stars team that's firing on all cylinders.

The Stars' penalty kill leads the league, which could be the difference-maker here. They've been shutting down opposing power plays with remarkable efficiency, and against a Wild team that relies heavily on special teams success, that's a massive advantage.

When you factor in Dallas's recent defensive performance (only eight goals allowed in their last three home games) and Minnesota's struggles to generate offense on the road, the Stars look primed to continue their home ice dominance.

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