NHL Previews Archive - March 2026

This is a game between two teams heading in drastically different directions. The Pittsburgh Penguins (34-18-16, 84 points) are firmly in the Metropolitan Division's upper tier and pushing hard for home-ice advantage in the first round. The Winnipeg Jets (28-29-11, 67 points) have had a deeply disappointing season after entering the year with legitimate contender expectations. At 67 points through 68 games, Winnipeg's playoff hopes are virtually dead, and the energy inside that locker room has to be deflating. Pittsburgh being a -162 home favorite feels right for a Penguins team that has been excellent at PPG Paints Arena all season, posting a 16-9 home record that reflects a roster that knows how to protect its building.

Pittsburgh's resurgence this season has been built on a balanced attack and a defense that has tightened up considerably. Sidney Crosby continues to defy Father Time, producing at an elite level and dragging this team through stretches where the depth hasn't been there. The supporting cast has responded, and the Penguins are a team that plays with structure and purpose on home ice. Their 16 overtime/shootout losses tell you they've been in a ton of close games, but the fact that they've accumulated 84 points despite those extra-time defeats speaks to how many regulation wins they've racked up. Winnipeg, by contrast, has been maddeningly inconsistent on the road, posting a 17-13 away mark that's been propped up by a few hot streaks bookended by extended slumps.

The 6.5 total is an interesting number here. Pittsburgh has shown the ability to score in bunches at home, and a Jets team with nothing to play for could either mail it in or play loose and carefree. If Winnipeg comes out swinging without any fear of consequences, this game could get track-meet-ish in a hurry. But if the Penguins control the pace and lean on their home structure, they could suffocate a Jets team that struggles to generate offense when they can't push the tempo. The puck line at PIT -1.5 (+160) is worth considering if you believe the Penguins have another dominant home performance in them, because Winnipeg hasn't shown the ability to stay competitive in games where they fall behind early on the road.

The Golden Knights head to Nashville for an afternoon showdown between two teams with very different trajectories this season. Vegas (31-24, with Mitch Marner now a major part of their top-six after the trade from Toronto) has been a solid playoff team all year, sitting comfortably in the Pacific Division picture. Nashville (30-28-9) has been the definition of mediocrity, hovering around the .500 mark all season and never quite breaking through to establish themselves as a legitimate postseason threat. The -130 moneyline on Vegas reflects a road team that's been competitive away from home all year, and the Predators at +110 offer just enough value to keep things interesting for bettors who believe in Bridgestone Arena's home-ice advantage.

Marner's addition to the Golden Knights' lineup has given them a dynamic playmaker who can run a power play and create chances at 5-on-5 with his vision and passing ability. Vegas was already a deep team with strong goaltending, and adding Marner elevated their ceiling significantly. The Knights play a tight, structured game on the road that minimizes risk, and their goaltending has been reliable enough to keep them in games even when the offense goes through quiet stretches. Nashville, meanwhile, has relied heavily on their home crowd to generate energy, and Bridgestone Arena remains one of the loudest buildings in the league. The Predators have a strong home record relative to their overall record, and they've shown they can be a tough out when the crowd gets into it.

The 5.5 total feels like the right number for this one. Both teams have capable goaltending, and afternoon games on Saturday often produce tighter, more conservative hockey as teams ease into their weekends. Vegas's road defense has been stingy, and Nashville doesn't have the firepower to consistently light up quality opposition. This game projects as a 3-2 or 2-1 type affair, and the under at +105 is worth a look if you believe both goaltenders will be sharp. The moneyline spread is tight enough that this could go either way, and the home-ice factor at Bridgestone gives Nashville a fighting chance against a Vegas team that's been solid but not dominant on the road.

This is the game of the day on Saturday's slate, and it's not even close. The Dallas Stars (43-15-10, 96 points) and Minnesota Wild (39-19-14, 90 points) are two of the best teams in the Western Conference, and this Central Division clash has genuine playoff preview written all over it. Dallas has been an absolute machine this season, sitting second in the conference with 96 points and playing the kind of complete hockey that makes them a legitimate Stanley Cup favorite. Minnesota isn't far behind at 90 points, and the Wild have been outstanding at Xcel Energy Center all year. The moneyline split, DAL -120 to MIN -100, tells you this is essentially a toss-up with the slightest edge to the visitors, which is remarkable given how difficult it is to win in Saint Paul.

Dallas comes into this one without Mikko Rantanen, who is on injured reserve with a lower body injury and isn't expected back until late March. Losing Rantanen is a significant blow to the Stars' top-six, and his absence will test their depth in ways they haven't been tested much this season. That said, Dallas's system under Pete DeBoer is so well-structured that they can absorb losses that would sink lesser teams. Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz have been sensational all season, and Jake Oettinger has been one of the best goaltenders in the league, posting numbers that put him firmly in Vezina Trophy conversation. Minnesota counters without Joel Eriksson Ek, who is dealing with a lower body injury of his own. Kirill Kaprizov has been the Wild's engine, and his ability to take over games at 5-on-5 makes Minnesota dangerous regardless of who else is in the lineup.

The 5.5 total reflects the defensive quality of both clubs. These are two teams that prioritize structure, play responsible positional hockey, and don't give up many odd-man rushes. When they've met this season, the games have been tight, physical affairs decided by special teams and goaltending. The under has been the smart play in Central Division matchups between elite teams, and there's no reason to expect this one to suddenly open up into a high-scoring game. If you're looking at the moneyline, Minnesota at -100 as the home team in a near-pick'em is intriguing, because Xcel Energy Center is one of the toughest buildings to play in and the Wild have protected their home ice ferociously all season. But Dallas's overall record is almost impossible to argue against. This is elite hockey, and the margin will be razor-thin.

The Buffalo Sabres' remarkable resurgence continues with a trip to Los Angeles, and this game is a fascinating study in contrasts. Buffalo (43-20, 88 points) is having the kind of season that nobody outside of Western New York saw coming, sitting atop the Atlantic Division and playing like a genuine Stanley Cup contender. The Sabres have been the feel-good story of the NHL this year, finally rewarding a long-suffering fanbase with meaningful hockey in March. Los Angeles (28-24) has been decent but unspectacular, hovering around the playoff bubble without ever establishing themselves as a team that opponents fear. The even -105/-105 moneyline is surprising given Buffalo's significantly better record, and it suggests the market is giving the Kings a significant home-ice bump here.

Buffalo's transformation has been built on elite goaltending, a deep forward group that can score from all four lines, and a defensive structure that has tightened up dramatically from previous seasons. The Sabres' 43 wins through 63 games is a franchise-best pace, and the confidence inside that locker room is palpable. Tage Thompson has been a legitimate MVP candidate with his combination of size, skill, and scoring ability, and Rasmus Dahlin has established himself as one of the best defensemen in the NHL. The Kings, meanwhile, have leaned on Anze Kopitar's veteran leadership and Drew Doughty's experience, but the supporting cast hasn't consistently delivered the kind of production needed to compete with the league's elite. Los Angeles can be a difficult place to play with the afternoon sun and the physical travel, and the Kings do tend to play up to their competition at Crypto.com Arena.

The 6.5 total is the highest on the afternoon slate, and it reflects the offensive capabilities of both teams. Buffalo has shown they can put the puck in the net against anyone, and the Kings have had stretches where their offense has clicked. But this number feels a touch high for a game where the Sabres will likely lean on their structure and try to control the pace. Buffalo has been excellent at grinding teams down and winning 3-2 or 4-2, not engaging in shootouts. If the Sabres play their game, the under could have value here. But if Los Angeles pushes the pace early and forces Buffalo into a transition game, the over becomes more viable. The moneyline being even is fascinating, and Buffalo at -105 on the road against a team with a significantly inferior record feels like it could be a value spot for the Sabres.

The Philadelphia Flyers (33-23) head to San Jose to face a Sharks team (32-29) that's been better than most people expected this season. This is a fascinating matchup between two clubs that entered the year with modest expectations but have outperformed their projected win totals considerably. The Sharks at -115 as slight home favorites tells you the market respects what San Jose has done at SAP Center this season, but Philadelphia at -105 is essentially a pick'em price that reflects the Flyers' quality. Philadelphia comes in riding a point streak, having beaten the Ducks 3-2 in overtime on March 19, and the Flyers have shown resilience on the road all season.

Philadelphia's success this year has been built on a young core that's grown up faster than anyone anticipated. The Flyers' mix of youthful energy and veteran guidance has produced a team that competes every night, even in tough road environments. Their 33-23 record reflects a team that doesn't beat itself, plays disciplined hockey, and gets timely scoring when it matters. San Jose, meanwhile, has been one of the more surprising stories in the Western Conference. After years of being a bottom-feeder, the Sharks have shown real progress in their development, and their 32-29 record puts them in the thick of the playoff conversation. The home crowd at SAP Center has been reinvigorated by meaningful games, and that energy can be a factor in afternoon tilts where the visiting team might not be at peak focus.

The 6.5 total is generous for what should be a competitive, evenly-matched game. Both teams have been right around league average in goals for and goals against, and neither has the firepower to consistently blow up the scoreboard. This feels like a 4-3 or 3-2 game that could go either way, and the total is right on the edge. The moneyline being so close makes this a true coin-flip, and the Sharks' home-ice advantage at -115 is the slimmest of edges. If you're looking for value, the Flyers at -105 on the road could be interesting given their recent form and the fact that they've proven they can win in hostile environments all season. This is the kind of game that won't get national attention but could be one of the most entertaining contests on the Saturday slate.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (36-21-11, 83 points) have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NHL this season, and they're heavy -185 home favorites against a Seattle Kraken team (31-28-9, 71 points) that has been frustratingly inconsistent. Columbus is riding a three-game winning streak heading into Saturday, and the energy at Nationwide Arena has been electric for a franchise that hasn't had much to celebrate in the standings in recent years. The Blue Jackets have established themselves as a legitimate playoff team, and their 36 wins through 68 games puts them on pace for a strong postseason seed. Seattle at +142 offers some value if you believe the Kraken can pull off the road upset, but Columbus has been dominant at home and there's good reason for the substantial moneyline gap.

Columbus's emergence this season has been built on a young, fast roster that plays with relentless energy and a goaltender who has been outstanding. The Blue Jackets have a deep forward group that can score from multiple lines, and their defensive structure has improved dramatically under Dean Evason's system. They're a team that forechecks hard, plays physical, and doesn't give opponents much time and space in the neutral zone. Seattle, meanwhile, has been a .500-ish team that can beat anyone on their best night but also has maddening stretches where they disappear for entire periods. The Kraken's 31-28-9 record suggests a team that's competitive but ultimately lacks the consistency required to be a serious playoff threat, especially on the road against a hot opponent.

The 6.5 total is the standard number for games at Nationwide Arena this season, where Columbus has shown both offensive explosiveness and occasional defensive lapses. The Blue Jackets play an aggressive style that can lead to high-event hockey, and the Kraken are capable of trading chances when they commit to an attacking game. If Seattle decides to play an open, up-tempo style, this could easily clear the total. But if Columbus controls the puck and forces the Kraken to chase, the under becomes more likely as Seattle struggles to generate quality looks. The moneyline spread is wide enough that the Blue Jackets are clearly the right side here, and the question is whether CBJ -185 offers enough value or if you're better off looking at the puck line.

The New York Islanders head to the Bell Centre to face a Montreal Canadiens team that has been surprisingly competitive this season. Montreal at -142 as home favorites reflects the Canadiens' strong play in front of their passionate fanbase, while the Islanders at +114 offer legitimate underdog value for a team that has been fighting for playoff positioning all year. The Islanders (sitting around 81 points in the Metropolitan) are in a dogfight for the last wild card spot, and every road game becomes a must-win scenario at this point in the season. Montreal has Patrik Laine on injured reserve with an abdomen injury, which removes a significant weapon from their top-six, but the Canadiens have shown they can win without him through depth scoring and strong goaltending.

Montreal's resurgence under Martin St. Louis has been one of the better stories in the Eastern Conference this season. The Canadiens have a young, skilled forward group led by Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, who have both taken significant steps forward as franchise cornerstones. The Bell Centre atmosphere is one of the most intense in the NHL, and Saturday night hockey in Montreal is a different animal entirely. The crowd feeds off every hit, every save, and every scoring chance, and visiting teams have to be prepared for a hostile environment from the opening faceoff. The Islanders, on the other hand, play a grinding, low-event style that can be incredibly frustrating for opponents. Under Patrick Roy, the Isles have been a tough out in tight games, relying on strong goaltending and disciplined defensive play to stay competitive.

The 5.5 total makes sense for this matchup. The Islanders don't give up many goals, and they also don't score many, which creates a natural under lean. Montreal has the offensive talent to push the pace, but without Laine, their ceiling is lower than usual. This projects as a 3-2 type game, and the under at +110 has some appeal. The moneyline is the more interesting play here, because the Islanders at +114 are getting nearly plus-money in a game that could easily go their way if they execute their defensive game plan. New York's ability to slow games down and make them ugly has served them well on the road this season, and the Bell Centre atmosphere won't faze a veteran group that's been through plenty of hostile buildings.

The Battle of Ontario takes center stage on Saturday night, and the power dynamic in this rivalry has shifted dramatically. The Ottawa Senators are massive -245 home favorites, while the Toronto Maple Leafs are +205 underdogs, a line that would have been unthinkable a couple of years ago. Toronto's nightmare season has continued, and their record in late March reflects a team that has completely collapsed from the inside out. Ottawa, meanwhile, has been one of the feel-good stories in the Eastern Conference, and the Senators have clearly established themselves as the superior team in this rivalry. The -1.5 puck line at -110 tells you the market expects Ottawa to win by multiple goals, which is a damning indictment of where the Leafs are right now.

Ottawa's roster has come together beautifully this season, with Tim Stutzle emerging as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NHL and Brady Tkachuk providing the leadership, physicality, and scoring that every contender needs from their captain. The Senators' forward depth has been impressive, and their defensive corps has matured significantly. The Canadian Tire Centre has been rocking during Ottawa's best season in years, and the atmosphere for a Battle of Ontario matchup will be off the charts. Toronto, as we discussed in yesterday's slate, has been an unmitigated disaster this season. Auston Matthews can only do so much when the team around him isn't performing, and the Leafs' defensive and goaltending issues have been well-documented throughout the season.

The 5.5 total in a rivalry game can be deceiving. Battle of Ontario matchups tend to be emotional, physical affairs where the intensity ratchets up and both teams play with an edge. That could lead to penalties and power play opportunities, which would push the game toward the over if both teams capitalize. But it could also lead to a tight, defensive struggle where neither team wants to make a mistake. Given the talent gap, Ottawa should control possession for most of this game, and if they can convert on their chances early, this could turn into a rout. The Leafs at +205 offer some value purely based on the volatility of rivalry games, because strange things happen when Ontario bragging rights are on the line. But it's hard to back a Toronto team that has given you absolutely no reason to trust them down the stretch.

This is a game between two teams that have struggled mightily this season, and it won't get much national attention, but there are angles here worth exploring. The St. Louis Blues (27-30-3, 57 points) are road favorites at -135 against the Vancouver Canucks (21-39-7, 49 points), and that tells you everything about how far the Canucks have fallen. Vancouver's 21-39-7 record is one of the worst in the NHL, and this is a franchise that made the playoffs just a year ago. The collapse has been swift and brutal, and the atmosphere at Rogers Arena has gone from electric to funereal. The Blues aren't exactly world-beaters either, but at least they're competitive most nights, and being a road favorite against Vancouver reflects the quality gap between a mediocre team and one of the league's worst.

St. Louis has had a forgettable season in many ways, but there have been bright spots in the development of their young players and the continued production from their veteran core. Robert Thomas has been solid in the playmaking role, and Jordan Kyrou has shown flashes of the dynamic offensive talent that made him a cornerstone piece. The Blues play hard even when the stakes don't matter, which is a credit to their organizational culture and coaching staff. Vancouver, on the other hand, has been a mess from top to bottom. The Canucks have sold off pieces at the trade deadline, young players are struggling to develop in a losing environment, and the goaltending has been inconsistent at best. Elias Pettersson has had moments of brilliance, but even he can't carry this roster to respectability.

The 5.5 total in a game between two struggling teams is fair. Neither the Blues nor the Canucks have been prolific offensively this season, and both have had stretches where scoring goals felt like pulling teeth. But the flip side is that neither team plays great defense either, so this could go either way. If both teams come out flat, which is entirely possible given the meaningless nature of this game in the standings, it could be a sloppy, low-scoring affair. But if one team finds an early groove and the other chases the game, it could open up. The Blues at -135 feel like the right side simply because they're the better team, but there's not much enthusiasm in backing either of these clubs at this point in the season.

Two Original Six rivals with identical 38-23 records square off at Little Caesars Arena, and this game has real implications for both teams' playoff seeding. The Boston Bruins (38-23, 80 points) are slight -125 road favorites, while the Detroit Red Wings (38-23, 80 points) sit at +105 at home. Both teams are sitting on 80 points and battling for wild card positioning in a brutally competitive Eastern Conference. Detroit comes into this one with some significant injury concerns, as captain Dylan Larkin is out with a leg injury that isn't expected to resolve until late March, and Andrew Copp is dealing with his own leg injury. Losing Larkin is enormous for the Red Wings, as he's their emotional leader and one of their most important players on both ends of the ice.

Boston has been one of the NHL's most consistent teams this season, playing the kind of disciplined, structured hockey that makes them difficult to beat regardless of opponent or venue. The Bruins' defensive identity has remained intact, and their goaltending has been strong enough to keep them in games when the offense goes through dry spells. David Pastrnak has been their offensive catalyst, and the Bruins' depth up front has been better than expected. Detroit, even without Larkin, has the forward depth to compete, and Alex DeBrinkcat has been outstanding this season as one of the team's primary scoring threats. Lucas Raymond has taken another step in his development, and the young core in Detroit gives the Red Wings a legitimate window to compete now and into the future. But the Larkin absence creates a hole at center that is nearly impossible to fill.

The 5.5 total in an Original Six rivalry game between two playoff teams feels about right. Boston's road defense is typically stingy, and Detroit plays a tighter game at Little Caesars Arena than their overall numbers suggest. Without Larkin generating offense and driving play, the Red Wings' ceiling is lower, and this could easily end up a 2-1 or 3-2 game. The Bruins at -125 feel like the right side here, primarily because the Larkin injury tips the balance in a game between two evenly-matched teams. But Detroit at +105 at home, even short-handed, is live, because the Red Wings have shown they can rally around adversity and play inspired hockey when their captain goes down. This is high-quality, playoff-intensity hockey, and the margin will be impossibly thin.

The nightcap is a genuine blockbuster. The Tampa Bay Lightning (42-21, 84 points) head to Edmonton to face the Oilers (34-27), and this is a matchup between two of the most talented rosters in the NHL. Tampa being -142 road favorites in Edmonton is a statement about how good the Lightning have been this season. Tampa's 42-21 record puts them second in the Atlantic Division and on pace for 100+ points, and they've been one of the most dominant teams in the league from start to finish. Edmonton at +120 as home underdogs is a reflection of the Oilers' inconsistency this season, because a roster this talented should not be catching points at Rogers Place. But the market doesn't lie, and the Lightning have earned this kind of respect on the road.

Tampa Bay's roster is built for these kinds of marquee matchups. Nikita Kucherov remains one of the most dangerous offensive players in the world, and the Lightning's top-six is as deep and skilled as any in the league. Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, and the rest of Tampa's forwards create matchup nightmares for opposing coaches, and their defensive structure has been excellent all season. Andrei Vasilevskiy has been his usual elite self in net, and when Vasy is on his game, the Lightning are almost impossible to beat. Edmonton's response will hinge almost entirely on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. When those two are clicking, the Oilers can compete with absolutely anyone, but when they go quiet, Edmonton doesn't have the depth to carry the load. That's been the story of the Oilers' season, a team that's too dependent on its top two players to be consistent over 82 games.

The 6.5 total is the highest number on the evening slate, and it's justified by the offensive talent on both rosters. McDavid and Draisaitl can create goals out of nothing, and Kucherov's playmaking ability means the Lightning are always a threat to explode offensively. If both teams' top players are on, this could easily be a 5-4 or 6-3 type game. But the Lightning are also capable of locking things down defensively and controlling the game through structure, which could frustrate an Edmonton team that needs open ice to generate its best chances. The over is tempting given the star power, but Tampa's road discipline makes the total a toss-up. This is the kind of late-night game that hockey fans live for, with two of the sport's biggest stars going head-to-head in a game that matters for both teams' playoff positioning.