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Tides’ Takes: Free NHL Betting Picks For Today – Tuesday, Feb. 22

Timothy Buell Tue 2/22 11:02am PT
Image Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Happy Tuesday everyone! Welcome to this new article for ScoresAndOdds, where we will offer betting picks and advice for multiple sports that are happening on a given day.

Now that the NFL season has unfortunately come to an end, we will be focusing on NHL odds and bets for the foreseeable future. We will also be throwing in some traditional parlays and some same game parlays as we see fit.  

Make sure to use our tools at ScoresAndOdds to find the best lines at your favorite legal sportsbook.  

Due to the NBA All-Star Break, we only have a six-game NHL slate to choose from. Let’s get started!

Free NHL Betting Picks for Today

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Columbus Blue Jackets

The Maple Leafs have really struggled their last two games, losing by three goals to both the Blues and Canadiens.

After getting crushed by the Canadiens, they have to travel to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets.  If they come out flat tonight, I would be really surprised.

This team has too much veteran leadership to lose three in a row, especially against such an inferior opponent. Also, Jack Campbell should be the starting goalie, which makes a huge difference over Petr Mrazek.

Look for the Leafs to control puck possession and exploit the Blue Jackets defense, which has given up the fifth-most goals in the league.  

Minnesota Wild @ Ottawa Senators

The Wild have tremendous offensive talent up and down their lineup., and despite playing on the road, they should be able to exploit this matchup. 

The Senators are playing their third game in four nights, following back-to-back losses to the Bruins and Rangers. 

The Wild have scored the third-most goals in hockey, while the Senators have given up the 11th most. 

Don’t get me wrong, the Wild are a good defensive team, but their goaltending, whether it be Talbot or Kahkonen, has been horribly inconsistent and could very well be exploited in this matchup. 

I anticipate a more wide-open style of hockey in this one.  More than a couple of books have moved this line to 6.5, so if you can, hop on this early. 

NHL Player Prop – Auston Matthews

I expect Matthews to come out highly motivated and angry after losing badly the last two games. 

The Leafs’ entire top 6 looked flat and disjointed on both ends of the ice, and I don’t think we’ll see that again. 

The Blue Jackets’ defense is one of the worst in the NHL, and I believe there will be plenty of lanes for Matthews and company to get shots on the net.  I like the odds on this NHL player prop and consider it a favorite to cash at plus money.