NHL best bets: A hot time on the ice tonight

We follow where the best games are, and as we start a fresh week of betting, that most definitely goes to the NHL action this evening. Playoffs are looming, and tonight's games could very well be some playoff series we see again. Best to appraise ourselves of the matchups now with two looks tonight in hockey.

Big Eastern Conference battles on the ice require our attention

Springing the trap: Florida Panthers-New York Rangers over 5.5 (-125 ESPN)

This line has all the makings of a trap bet, but it's one we may just have spring anyway. It's not hard to understand why this is the price. Both goalies are playing extremely well right now. Sergei Bobrovsky has let in two or fewer goals in 10 straight games, which helps explain why Florida is allowing just 1.3 goals per game on the road over the past month and a half.

On the other end we have Igor Shesterkin, playing some inspired hockey in net in front of a Rangers defense that has gotten peppered by shots of late. Shesterkin had allowed only one goal in four straight starts prior to Saturday's three-goal OT loss to Toronto, sporting an impressive .961 save percentage in this five-game run.

We say all that to acknowledge why this might be a trap.

You see, 17 straight meetings between these teams have gone over this 5.5 total, with 16 of them yielding 7+ goals. We get the goalies, but that's history we just cannot ignore.

We're taking the bait and betting the over.

Trusting the studs: Auston Matthews goal (-110 FanDuel)

Boston vs. Toronto is another massive game between Atlantic Division rivals, and if Florida doesn't falter down the stretch, this is very likely a first-round preview tonight in Toronto.

We prefer the Leafs for scoring, the Bruins' defense has been vulnerable on the road lately, and if we think Toronto nets a couple, there's only one logical landing spot.

Auston Matthews easily tops the league in scoring with 53 goals, and he sure loves facing Boston. He's netted nine goals in the last seven meetings, including two goals in three straight home matchups. 

Sometimes the stars just step up in big games, and we'll gladly trust Matthews to do just that this evening.

In the news ...

Mike Evans staying in Tampa Bay — There was some speculation that Mike Evans would hit the open market and sign with a new team, but that has put to bed. The star WR, who has 1000+ receiving yards in every single season, is staying put with the Buccaneers, signing a new two-year contract with $35 million guaranteed. It seems that Tampa is now focused on bringing back Baker Mayfield, who had a resurgent season with the team, winning a playoff game. The Bucs are currently +225 to win the NFC South this coming year, second behind Atlanta at +130.

Zack Wheeler signs extension with Phillies — The Philadelphia Phillies, who have come close to a World Series title the past two seasons, know that to get over the hump they need their aces back. They signed Aaron Nola in November to a massive seven-year deal, and now they've extended their top ace Zack Wheeler to a three-year, $126 million contract prior to him hitting free agency next offseason. Now, the Phillies can focus on the 2024 season and the menacing lineup the Los Angeles Dodgers have put together. The Dodgers are +175 to win the NL Pennant, followed by Atlanta at +250. Philly is next, at +800. That seems like a nice value price to grab for a team that knows what it takes to go on a postseason run.

Five underrated NCAAB teams to know as March continues on — Last week we brought you some teams that might be a tad overrated, and now our friends at Action Network have churned out five under-the-radar teams you may want to stow away for future betting and bracket opportunities. One worth noting here is Rick Pitino's St. John's squad. Pitino called out his team a week or so ago, and since then, they've rattled off three straight wins, including a massive 14-point victory over Creighton. The Johnnies are now nearly to the Big East tournament with a ton of momentum on their side, and they're currently 16-1 to win the whole thing in their home arena, the fourth-best odds of anyone in the conference.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.