NHL Thursday bets: Three game overs for the night

Thursday may be all about March Madness (and we have you covered with the betting angles for the games here on Yardbarker), but there remains some tremendous games of interest in the NHL.

I've found three in particular that I like for scoring, so I've loaded up overs for each.

Let me explain what I'm seeing Thursday night in hockey.

Washington-Columbus over 6.5 (-105 DK)

My initial draw here was definitely on the Washington side, but after a bit more digging, I think there's enough juice on the Columbus end to feel good about the game's over.

The Blue Jackets are averaging 3.8 goals per game in their last five at home and the Capitals are letting in 3.4 on the road in their last five. So, at first glance, that's a great option.

My initial concern was Columbus on a back-to-back, but my trepidation was quelled after a brief look back into their back-to-back history this season.

In the nine B2Bs the Blue Jackets have played, the game's average goals come out to 8.0 per contest.

Columbus tends to let up more goals to opponents in these situations, which further cements my initial idea of targeting the Capitals for scoring.

Washington is averaging 3.7 goals per game in their past ten on the road, while Columbus is averaging 3.9 goals allowed in their last ten at home.

There's a lot to like here, and it helps that we have three prior games between these two teams this season.

The total has gone over twice, the cherry on top of this pick.

Buffalo-Edmonton over 6.5 (-120 DK)

This game has so much that points to the over, so I'm following the signs.

Let's start with some simple numbers: Edmonton is averaging 4.0 goals per game in their last five at home and Buffalo is letting up 4.2 on the road in their past five.

That certainly makes you love the Oilers side, and I do expect them to do the heavy lifting here.

It's always a fair bet to load up the opponent of Edmonton when Mike Smith is in net, and yes, that would be tonight.

Smith is allowing 3.57 goals per game this season, and the Oilers as a team are seeing opponents net 4.2 goals against them in their past five at home.

Buffalo's scoring has tapered off a bit, but on an expected goals for basis, they're due for a bump. Thursday feels like a great opportunity for them to chip in 3 here.

I have a feeling Tage Thompson scores tonight.

Islanders-Rangers over 5.5 (+100 DK)

We've got the two New York teams going at it, and I absolutely love this 5.5 number at +100.

The Islanders have been on an over tear as a team. The over is 9-2-1 in their last 12 games, and I see a significant power play edge here for the Isles, suggesting they can chip in a few goals with the man advantage.

The Islanders are averaging 3.0 goals per game in their last five, and Igor Shesterkin has been leaking goals lately, allowing four in back to back games.

I'm banking on the Rangers bringing the scoring punch in this one. They're averaging 3.6 goals per game in their last five at home and the Islanders have been letting up three-plus goals to opponents on a consistent basis.

Four straight Rangers games have gone over, further aiding the positive trends in this one.

Through the expected goals allowed lens, both of these New York teams should be letting in more scores than they are. 

Add it all up, and I think we can get to 6 goals here.

Good luck tonight!