Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (11/6)
The NHL season churns ahead on Wednesday, as the league rolls out a three-game slate. I'll dive into each contest from a betting perspective and tell you where I'm laying my money on the ice.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Nashville Predators (-104) vs. Washington Capitals (-115) | O/U 5.5 (-140/+114)
The action starts in the nation's capital, where the Capitals (8-3-0) host the Predators (4-7-1) in a cross-conference clash. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The Predators have some nice pieces, as they added a couple of 40-goal scorers from a year ago in Steven Stamkos (40 goals) and Jonathan Marchessault (42 goals). However, this team has not found its footing yet, as they're out to an ugly 4-7-1 start to the season. This Moneyline is priced like the Predators are winning hockey games, which isn't the case.
Meanwhile, the Capitals come into tonight's contest boasting one of the league's best offenses. They're third in both overall scoring (4.2 goals per game) and expected goals per 60 minutes (3.8), despite sitting dead last on the power play (10.81%). They're playing excellent 5-on-5 hockey. It’s a bargain to get them at this-115 price. Give me the Capitals tonight on their home ice.
Bet: Capitals Moneyline (-115)
Detroit Red Wings (-120) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (+100) | O/U 6.5 (-102/-120)
The Blackhawks (5-7-1) return home following a successful five-game road trip, where they managed a 3-0-2 record. They'll try to stay hot when they renew an old rivalry against the visiting Red Wings (5-5-1). This game gets underway at 8:00 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago, IL.
It's confirmed Cam Talbot will start between the pipes for the Red Wings tonight. The netminder is sneakily putting together a great season. He's 3-0-1 with a 2.74 GAA (23rd) and .923 SV% (fifth). In Talbot's last three starts, his SV% has ballooned to .934, so it's safe to say he's seeing the puck well. Being that this total is still sitting as high as 6.5 goals, it's an easy play on the under for me.
Neither offense has been great this year, as they're each ranked in the bottom third of the league in scoring. The Blackhawks are 22nd, averaging 2.8 goals per game, while the Red Wings are 25th at 2.6 goals. In terms of expected goals per 60 minutes, they're ranked 23rd (2.83) and 27th (2.73), respectively.
As for overall high-danger shots, Detroit is dead last in the NHL with just 27 through 12 games (2.25 per game). This offense is not getting quality looks and I don't expect them to turn things around against a respectable Chicago defense (2.85 GAA). Give me the under.
Bet: Under 6.5 Goals (-120)
Vegas Golden Knights (-106) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-113) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-122)
The night wraps up in the Great White North, where the Golden Knights (8-3-1) take on the Oilers (6-6-1) in a Pacific Division tilt. Vegas enters the night in second in the Pacific Division with 17 points, while Edmonton is fifth with 13 points. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
Connor McDavid is still sidelined with an ankle injury. Surprisingly, the Oilers are 2-1-0 in his absence. However, I don't know how sustainable their success will be without the best player in the world. Overall, the Oilers are still ranked 29th in offensive production (2.4 goals per game) and 27th on the power play (14.71%). This offense is simply not clicking right now. I have no problem fading them at this point in the season and taking the Golden Knights as slight underdogs.
In addition to their offensive woes, Edmonton is middle-of-the-pack (18th) in overall defense (3.00 GAA) and 29th in SV% (.878). That's not a great recipe when you're tasked with slowing down a finely-tuned offensive machine like the Golden Knights. Vegas enters the night ranked second in scoring (4.5 goals per game) and third on the power play (32.26%). I'm backing Vegas to secure the two points on the road tonight.
Bet: Golden Knights Moneyline (-106)