NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions for Wednesday: Blackhawks vs. Avalanche (10/12)
It was an excellent start to the new season as we cashed both of our bets last night on the Rangers ML (-115) and Golden Knights ML (+100)! The NHL is back with another six games this evening as 12 teams take the ice for the first time this year. Here’s my top pick for today’s game: Blackhawks vs. Avalanche.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Check out our consensus odds for 2022-23 Stanley Cup Champion >>
NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions for Wednesday: Blackhawks vs. Avalanche
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche
Speaking of the Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche is getting ready to open up the new season as they host a Blackhawks organization that doesn’t have much optimism heading into the year. The puck drop for this Central Division matchup is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from Pepsi Center in Denver.
Chicago is in an interesting position as they still have one of the most lethal players in the league in Patrick Kane, who amassed 92 points last year on 26 goals and 66 assists. Aside from him, this team hasn’t much to be excited about. They shipped off Alex DeBrincat to Ottawa and Kirby Dach to Montreal for draft picks, essentially signaling that they’re entering a rebuild.
As for the champs, they also saw significant roster turnover, with Andre Burakovsky, Nazem Kadri, Darcy Kuemper, and Jack Johnson (to Chicago) all departing. The only key addition that they made was bringing in Evan Rodrigues from Pittsburgh. The winger showed signs of brilliance with the Pens last season, scoring 43 points on 19 goals and 24 helpers. I guess that’s what happens when you finally break through and win the Cup and have to break open the checkbook the following off-season. However, there is still plenty of talent on this team, with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews, and Cale Makar all returning. That’s a core group, along with the injured Gabriel Landeskog, who will be a threat to make another deep run when the playoffs roll around this year.
I will back the champs on the puck line tonight as they open their season against a lowly Blackhawks team. Even with a few key departures, they still have exponentially more talent than Chicago. Good luck dealing with Nathan Mackinnon’s speed and intelligence while having Cale Makar and Devon Toews weigh you in the offensive zone. This could be a bloodbath for this youthful, inexperienced Chicago team trying to find an answer for one of the most talented rosters in hockey. Let’s go with the Avs -1.5 tonight.
Bet: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (-155 via DraftKings)
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