The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and Stanley Cup contenders are looking to make the final moves that will hopefully set them apart in their run for the greatest trophy in North American sports. We saw the New York Rangers make the biggest splash yet earlier this week when they made the decision to trade for Patrick Kane, and that has led to a drop in their Stanley Cup betting odds. However, they will face a real test this weekend when they meet Presidents’ Trophy favorites Boston on Saturday afternoon in Beantown.
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NHL Schedule for Saturday, March 4
Detroit Red Wings at New York Islanders, 12:30 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Lightning at Buffalo Sabres, 12:30 p.m. ET
New York Rangers at Boston Bruins, 1 p.m. ET
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars, 3:30 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Penguins at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m. ET
Washington Capitals at San Jose Sharks, 6 p.m. ET
Columbus Blue Jackets at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET
Toronto Maple Leafs at Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m. ET
Edmonton Oilers at Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. ET
Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks, 8 p.m. ET
Minnesota Wild at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m. ET
St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m. ET
NHL Parlay Picks for Saturday, March 4, 2023
Boston Bruins ML vs. New York Rangers
Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 at Buffalo Sabres
The Boston Bruins have been the best team in the NHL by a wide margin this season, and the Bruins have been exceptional on home ice. Boston is 24-2-3 at home, and the Bruins have won eight straight games prior to their showdown with the Buffalo Sabres in Beantown on Thursday night.
It’s clear that Boston would love to trade defenseman Mike Reilly in order to free up space to add a veteran or two before the trade deadline. That would make the Bruins a slightly bigger favorite to win the Stanley Cup, but they are still the team to beat thanks to their two-way play. They lead the Eastern Conference with 226 goals, and they are also by far the best defensive team in the NHL, allowing just 129 goals in 60 games. The Carolina Hurricanes have allowed the next fewest goals at 154, so it’s going to be tough for any team to beat Boston in the postseason when the pace slows down.
As for the New York Rangers, their decision to add Patrick Kane looks great on paper, but there is the question of just how much Kane has left in the tank. The former No. 1 overall pick is 34 years old, and he has just 45 points on the season. Kane is sitting at -23 in terms of plus/minus, so there is a real concern how he will be in transition the other way. His addition will lead to more betting on the Rangers than usual, so it’s good to back the Bruins here.
The second leg of Saturday’s parlay will also be an afternoon game. The Buffalo Sabres are flirting with playoff contention, but they have the second-worst home record of any team in the Eastern Conference outside of Columbus. They have not been good in Buffalo this season, so the Tampa Bay Lightning will look to take advantage when they come to town.
Tampa Bay continues to tinker with its lineup in an effort to win a fourth straight Eastern Conference title. The Lightning are going to have a lot to deal with in the offseason, but they are keeping their window as open as long as possible like the Chicago Blackhawks did early last decade. They have lost five of their last seven games over the last two weeks, but this team seems primed to turn it around now.
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