NHL Saturday bets: Games to target for goals

We went 2-1 on team totals last night, and Saturday's NHL slate offers some noteworthy games to consider for goals and overs again.

With a few noon games on the docket, let's get right to the spots.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets find themselves in a great spot on Saturday, going against a Montreal team that is allowing 6 goals per game in their last five home games, the most in the league by a sizable margin.

For Columbus, they've been scoring at a steady rate lately, averaging 3.8 goals per game in their last five on the road (fifth-most).

This is the best intersection of positive numbers on the day and a fantastic first option for a team total.

It always helps the cause that Montreal is averaging the most penalties per game and owns a below-average penalty kill unit.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals, including OT (+105 DK)

Favorite Goal Scorer: Boone Jenner

I like Jenner in this one, but by all means, peruse a few options from Columbus and pick your favorite.

Jenner has 7 points in his last five on the road, clearly very involved in the Blue Jackets scoring streak.

He has two goals in that span.

Goal odds: +198 (FD)

Detroit Red Wings

Detroit is another noon game worth a look, as they'll get the pleasure of facing off against Philadelphia today.

The Flyers are allowing 4.2 goals per game in their last five on the road, which is the third-highest total in the league.

Detroit is scoring the seventh-most goals per game in their past five at home, averaging 3.6.

Like Columbus, this is another game where power play data puts the pick over the edge. The Red Wings own one of the best power play scoring rates, and Philadelphia has a bottom-ten penalty kill unit.

Detroit is going to have their chances, and we get our second plus-odds team total of the day on DraftKings.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals, including OT (+110 DK)

Favorite Goal Scorer: Tyler Bertuzzi

Tyler Bertuzzi is on fire at home, with a goal in 7 of his last 9 games. I see no reason to stray away from Bertuzzi now.

It's a great target and terrific recent trends. At +180, this is solid value standalone.

Goal odds: +180 (FD)

Carolina Hurricanes-Minnesota Wild: Over 6.5 total goals (-104 FanDuel)

I see value for goals on both the Carolina and Minnesota side, so instead of picking one, I'm just going to roll with the over in this game, currently at 6.5 on FanDuel.

Both teams are scoring a lot. Carolina is averaging the fourth-most goals per game (3.8) on the road in their last ten and Minnesota is averaging the second-most goals per game (4.4) at home in that same stretch.

Both teams have also been leaking goals. The Hurricanes are allowing 3.4 per game in their last five on the road, and Minnesota is letting in 3.2 in their past five at home.

With two high-powered offenses, I like goals on both ends.

It helps that both of these teams also have a top-ten power play unit and both teams average penalties inside the tenth-most in the NHL.

Favorite Goal Scorer: Teuvo Teravainen

For a game I expect to have plenty of scoring, we opt for value in Teuvo Teravainen.

Teravainen has just two goals in his last ten games, but he's been very involved in the offense, averaging 4.0 shots on goal per game in his last five.

He's also fresh off a three-assist game, so the hope is that his line keeps producing points, with him finding the back of the net.

Goal odds: +300 (FD)

Closing Thoughts

As always, treat the above as a resource first. The circled team totals have been profitable the last few days, but I think you can look at the above games to build your own lottery tickets for the day.

There should be plenty of goals in these above games, so get creative with a few small parlays.

I've parlayed my three favorites from above, which comes in at tantalizing +3237 odds on FanDuel.

Enjoy the day!