If you weren’t fading the tanking Columbus Blue Jackets regardless, it’s probably an especially wise idea going forward with the news that forward Patrik Laine will miss the rest of the way due to a triceps injury. The 24-year-old forward had been limited to 55 games due to a variety of issues, including COVID protocol, and has 22 goals and 30 assists. Here are two intriguing matchups around the league early this week. Check back for NHL odds.

Top NHL Betting Picks of the Week (March 27th, 2023)

See who holds the No. 1 spot and where the Sabres land this week. https://t.co/yFAINcytzM

— The Buffalo News (@TheBuffaloNews) March 26, 2023

New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders

• When: Monday, March 27, 2023, 7:30 PM ET
• Where: UBS Arena, Elmont, NY
• TV: MSGSN, MSGSN2
• Radio: WFAN Sports Radio 660 AM (Devils) // WRHU 88.7 FM (Islanders)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: Devils (+1.5) // Islanders (+1.5)

The Devils come off a 5-3 home win over Ottawa on Saturday to clinch a playoff berth. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, Dougie Hamilton and Tomas Tatar all scored for the Devils. Hughes also had an assist. It was his second consecutive multi-point game, and he’s provided three goals and five points in that span. Overall, Hughes has established career highs with 40 goals and 86 points.

Hamilton’s goal wasn’t only his career-high 19th of the season, but also a new Devils franchise record for goals in a single season by a defenseman (Scott Stevens, 1993-94). Nico Hischier recorded two assists in the win to extend his scoring streak to six contests, and he has two goals and nine points in that span. With his second helper of the game, Hischier reached the 70-point milestone for the first time in his career. The 24-year-old has also set personal bests this season with 30 goals and 232 shots.

New Jersey finished in the bottom-6 of the standings in each of the past four seasons: “It sits a little better with you when you know the work you’ve put in over the years as an organization and all the motivation that’s driving you every year,” forward Jesper Bratt said. “For so many years we had our exit meetings in April, and you go home and watch (the playoffs) on TV and dream of being in that position. This feels really good. It’s been a lot of years with struggle and not winning. It’s just awesome coming out and playing these kinds of games and getting an x after your team name.”

The Islanders were upset 2-0 at home by Buffalo on Saturday. Semyon Varlamov finished with 33 saves for New York, which lost its second straight. The Islanders had won 11 straight at home against the Sabres.

New Jersey and New York have split two meetings this season. They last played Dec. 9 in New Jersey and the Isles won 6-4. Brock Nelson had two goals. Vitek Vanecek started and gave up four goals on 17 shots for the Devils before he was pulled early in the second period. Akira Schmid came on and finished with 13 saves the rest of the way.

NHL Betting Pick: Islanders

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricanes

• When: Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 7:00 PM ET
• Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
• TV: TVAS, BSSO, BSSUN
• Radio: 102.5 FM WHPT The Bone (Lightning) // 99.9 The Fan (Hurricanes)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

Could be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals, although the three-time Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning don’t look like a team that can reach the East Finals right now on a four-game slide. No shame, though, in a 2-1 loss in Boston on Saturday.

“Sometimes I would rather lose and play this way than win and play in a crappy way because, eventually, it’s going to bite you back,” said Tampa Bay’s Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. “It’s tough to say it’s a great loss, but at the end of the day, we showed up with way more emotion, way more passion. Everybody tried to chip in and pull the rope in the same way as everybody else. That’s my overall take. Just understand that if we play like this, we’re going to be a nightmare to meet.”

The Lightning allowed 3.27 power-play opportunities over the first 48 games, a number they’ve cut to 2.76 post-All-Star break. Tampa Bay’s penalty-kill rate is 79.2%, which is right at the league average (78.63). But in the 25 games since the break, the PK success rate is just 75.3. Their formula for success this season has been to keep games close going into the third period, then lock them down late. Tampa Bay is 36-6-4 when leading or tied after two periods.

Hurricanes goaltender Antti Raanta suffered a lower-body injury on March 7. Raanta has taken part in some limited practices and morning skates recently, but needs to take part in a full team practice before he is considered an option to start again.

Carolina looks for the three-game series sweep of Tampa Bay. They last met on March 5 in Raleigh and the final was 6-0. Teuvo Teravainen had three goals for the Canes. Jesperi Kotkaniemi had a goal and four assists. Frederik Andersen made 14 saves for his first shutout of the season and 24th of his career. Carolina went 4 for 5 on the power play and outshot Tampa Bay 38-14.

NHL Betting Pick: Hurricanes

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READ MORE: Top NHL Betting Picks of the Week – April 3rd, 2023