Last Friday, my first NHL GIFT betting article went up for the site and my goals in the first 10 minutes bets performed well going 2-0 (+1.77 units). So let's channel that success with a few more wins in tonight's games.
Here are my GIFT bets for every game on the NHL schedule tonight, including a GIFT bet in Flames vs Blackhawks where Chicago has seen a goal in the first 10 over their last five straight home games:
*All lines are from bet365
GIFT Bets Panthers vs Flyers: O0.5 Goals (-175)
Panthers vs Flyers Odds - 7:00 pm ET @ Wells Fargo Center
This season, we've seen a goal in the first ten minutes in both meetings between these two clubs, Joel Farabee scored at 4:57 in the first matchup, then Evan Rodrigues and Nikko Mikkola scored at 2:36 and 6:57 in the second meeting. Why would it be any different the third time around?
The Flyers have the sixth-highest GIFT efficiency on the year at 62%, a rating that has only gone up lately thanks to a 4-1 record in their last five games with an incredible seven goals in the opening 10 minutes of those five games; Philly scored four and allowed three. It's wide-open hockey when Philly plays.
The Panthers are no slouch on GIFT bets hitting with a 60% efficiency on the season and 66% on the road. So combining that with what we know about the Flyers' wide-open first 10 minutes bet on a goal in the first 10 tonight.
GIFT Bets Flames vs Blackhawks: O0.5 Goals (-175)
Flames vs Blackhawks Odds - 7:30 pm ET @ United Center
It's never too late to get on a trend, and right now GIFT bets are trending when Chicago plays at home. It's a Madhouse on Madison right from puck drop with GIFT bets hitting in each of the Hawk's last five home games with six goals scored in the opening ten minutes, and the scoring goes either way with Chicago scoring three and their opponents scoring three.
The Flames' second-lowest GIFT efficiency in the league (43%) might seem like the perfect counter to Chicago's recent trend but that's their overall efficiency, when Calgary is on the road that rate jumps up to 55%, and 60% if you look at the Flames' last five road games where a GIFT bet has hit in three games.
GIFT Bets Kings vs Oilers: O0.5 Goals (-160)
Kings vs Oilers Odds - 9:30 pm ET @ Rogers Place
We're getting better odds here at -160 instead of the seemingly standard -175 odds thanks to the Kings' strong record against a No-GIFT bet. LA holds a 65% No-GIFT efficiency on the year and the second-best rate on the road at 61%. They've also gone 4-1 against a No-GIFT bet in their last five games seeing only a single goal in the first 10 minutes. Again, they're good at low-event hockey to start a game.
But that changes when they play the Oilers who hold a 64% GIFT rate on the season, with a GIFT bet hitting in three straight Oilers-Kings matchups. Why that is isn't clear. It could be due to the nature of this Pacific Divison rivalry, with these two teams playing each other 19 times in the past two calendar years, each seeing red when they line up and want to bury their opponent with goals ASAP. Who knows, but whatever the reason, a GIFT bet has hit in three straight Oilers-Kings games, so I won't shy from betting on a fourth occurrence.
