NHL Friday bets: Games to target for goals

On this Friday in the NHL, I see some good spots to target for team totals and goals.

We have real solid odds for these plays, with all three at plus-money. Last night's circled games went 2-2 for a slight loss, so let's get back on track tonight.

Dallas Stars

This Dallas-Chicago game is one of the most enticing games I've seen yet when looking at last five scoring averages.

On the road, the Stars are averaging 4.4 goals per game in their past five, which is the third-highest total in the league. The top line of Joe Pavelski-Jason Robertson-Roope Hintz is firing on all cylinders lately.

Meanwhile, Chicago is allowing a league-high 5.2 goals per game in its last five home games, including seven just last night.

Marc-Andre Fleury will be in net tonight for the Blackhawks, and while his season-long goals allowed average is solid, he's allowed 4+ scores in three of his last four starts.

I think Dallas handles Chicago in regulation tonight, with plenty of goals to accompany the win. I really like the value we get here on DraftKings.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals, excluding OT (+165 DK)

Favorite Goal-Scorer: Joe Pavelski

Pavelski is rolling on the road with five goals in his past three games. He's also getting the most shot attempts off on this top line, so we follow the volume in a game where Chicago has been seeing 33.3 shots against at home in the last 10.

Pavelski is also on Dallas's top power-play line, and there is conceivably an edge in that regard. Dallas has the sixth-best power-play scoring rate in its past 20 games, while Chicago owns the fourth-worst penalty kill in that same span.

Goal odds: +184 (FD)

Minnesota Wild

Going right back to Minnesota, trusting the scoring steadiness the Wild have provided all season long.

In their past 10 games at home, the Wild's 4.5 goals per game average are the third-best mark in the NHL. If you look at just their last five, that number balloons up to 5.8 goals per game (second-highest).

They could be in for a high-powered matchup tonight against a Florida team scoring a ton as well.

The Panthers are allowing 3.8 goals per game in their last five road games, so the numbers suggest Minnesota can reach this total tonight.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals, including OT (+125 DK)

Favorite Goal-Scorer: Kirill Kaprizov

Kaprizov has been amazing at home lately. He averages 7.5 shot attempts per game in his last 10 games, showcasing his elite involvement for this Wild offense.

He has a goal at home in nine of his last 13 games, including three in his past two.

Love that production and volume for Kaprizov.

Goal odds: +142 (FD)

Carolina Hurricanes

We'll wrap with Carolina, which I think has a nice spot tonight for goal-scoring for a few reasons.

Let's start with the goal numbers. The Hurricanes are scoring the ninth-most per game at home in their last 10 (3.3), a ranking that stays the same when looking at just the past five.

Nashville is allowing the 10th-most goals per game on the road at 3.4. I certainly like seeing an intersection of teams inside the "top-10" of its respective metrics for these spots.

The Predators are also averaging the most penalties per game in their last 20, while Carolina owns the second-best power-play scoring rate in the league.

Given the opportunities, they should be able to score at least once on the power play.

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

Favorite Goal-Scorer: Teuvo Teravainen

We loaded up Teravainen the other night, and he delivered a goal. The situation that caused me to like him so much has remained the same.

Nashville sees the third-most shots against, and with the Preds' high penalty average comes power-play opportunity — 35% of Teravainen's shots come on the power play, suggesting plenty of chances in this one.

Teravainen has been extremely involved in scoring chances at home for Carolina, with a point in 11 of his last 12.

Let's start a goal-scoring streak here, Teuvo.

Goal odds: +250 (FD)

Closing Thoughts

By all means, use the above how you see fit! There is plenty of logic to parlaying these three together at over 2.5, instead of 3.5.

I like the odds offered to us for these three and like the alignment of trends. I've parlayed my three favorites to score at +2305 odds. Sure would be nice to hit a side lotto one of these evenings.

Good luck tonight!