NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (2/15)

by Trenton Pruitt |
Feb 15, 2023

The NHL season grinds on as we enter the final third of the season. As the playoff race heats up, a few games will have playoff implications tonight. It's a six-game slate featuring the Avalanche taking on the Wild and the Rangers squaring off against the Canucks.

Check out my top three bets on the ice tonight.

Trent's Betting Record Since 1/21/2023

Total: 8-11 (-3.42 Units)
NHL: 6-9 (-3.29 Units)

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Todayâ€™s Best NHL Bets

Odds courtesy of BetRivers Sportsbook

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Blackhawks make the short trip from Montreal to Toronto as they continue their four-game Canadian road trip. Chicago's 0-2-0 to start, dropping games to the Jets and Canadiens, and having stops left in Toronto and Ottawa. Tonight's cross-conference clash with the Maple Leafs gets underway at 7:00 ET from Scotiabank Arena in Ontario.

Well, I don't see the Blackhawks turning around their fortunes tonight against one of the top teams in the league. This game has all the makings of a blowout, and I'll lay the juice on the Toronto puck line tonight. For starters, Chicago's offense simply cannot score. They're 31st in offense this season, averaging just 2.4 goals per game. They've managed just one goal so far on the Canadian tour.

On the flip side, the Hawks are 29th in goals allowed (3.42 GAA) and own the 24th-ranked penalty kill (75.6%). They'll be tasked with slowing down a fresh Toronto team that's scoring 3.4 goals per contest (8th) and boasts the fourth-best man advantage in the league (25.4%). Everything about this game points to a massacre, including the odds, which see the Leafs as -480 favorites. All things considered, I expect Toronto to win by at least two goals tonight.

Bet: Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (-175 via BetRivers)

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Arizona Coyotes

The Lightning picked up a 4-3 shootout win over the Avalanche last night, marking their third straight win and 11th in 15 tries. They'll head to Tempe tonight to take on the Coyotes, who notched a 4-2 victory in Nashville on Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 ET from Mullet Arena in Arizona.

Despite being on a back-to-back, the Bolts come in as a -230 favorite against the Desert Dogs tonight. However, based on the statistics, I have to side with the bookmakers in that Tampa Bay should make light work of Arizona. I'll back the Lightning on the puck line tonight.

The biggest discrepancy that I see here comes on special teams. Tampa Bay brings in the third-ranked power play in the NHL, cashing in on 26.0% of their opportunities. Arizona, on the other hand, comes in at 23rd on the PK, killing off just 75.4% of their penalties. The Yotes haven't been very disciplined this year, racking up the seventh-most penalty minutes in the league with 583. Tampa Bay has an incredible offense (4th, 3.6 GPG), and I expect them to pour it on an Arizona team that's allowing 3.3 goals per game (27th).

Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 (+110 via BetRivers)

Buffalo Sabres vs. Anaheim Ducks

The Sabres currently find themselves on the outside looking in terms of the playoff race. They've dropped three straight games, leaving them in fifth place in the Eastern Conference Wild Card. They'll have an excellent opportunity to collect a couple of points tonight against a lowly Ducks team. This game is slated for 10:00 ET from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

If Buffalo's serious about making a run at the playoffs, this is a game where they must secure two points. The Sabres bring in the third-best offense in the league, averaging 3.6 goals per game. They've also excelled on the power play, scoring on 25.3% of their chances (5th). They'll have a favorable matchup against Anaheim tonight, who's dead last in overall defense (3.9 GAA) and 28th on the PK (73.8%).

While the Sabres aren't great on the defensive end themselves, they should have no issues outpacing the Ducks, who are also dead last in offense (2.4 GPG). I think this is a great spot for Buffalo to bounce back, and I like the plus-money payout that comes with the puck line.

Bet: Buffalo Sabres -1.5 (+125 via BetRivers)

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