Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/9)
The NHL returns with a five-game schedule tonight, and I'm looking to stay hot after a profitable 2-1 betting night on Tuesday. Here are my three favorite NHL bets today.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of bet365)
San Jose Sharks (+250) vs. Minnesota Wild (-313) | O/U 5.5 (-125/+105)
The Wild (42-29-7, 91 points) have yet to solidify a playoff spot, but they own the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Sharks (20-47-10, 50 points) are the worst team in the league heading into tonight's action. This Western Conference contest is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN.
The Wild have seen three of their last four games finish under this number of 5.5 goals, and I expect that trend to continue, as they welcome in the lowly Sharks offense. San Jose is dead last in scoring (2.5 goals per game) and 30th in both shooting percentage (9.4%) and high-danger shots (237) this season. Minnesota's defense isn't as sharp as they were to begin the year, but it is still a respectable 13th in GAA (2.65).
In terms of the recent numbers, these have been two of the worst offenses in the NHL over the last 10 games. The Sharks are 31st in goals scored per 60 minutes (1.97) over the last 10 games, while the Wild are 30th (2.47). Only the Panthers (1.87) are worse than the two Western Conference squads. They're also each 26th or worse in expected goals per 60 minutes (xG/60) over the last 10 games. I'll take a shot with the plus-money payout for this game to stay under the total.
Bet: Under 5.5 Goals (+105)
St. Louis Blues (+110) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-130) | O/U 5.5 (-120/+100)
This is one of the marquee matchups in the NHL tonight, as the slumping Oilers (44-28-5, 93 points) host the red-hot Blues (43-29-7, 93 points) in the Great White North. St. Louis enters the night with the top wild card spot in the West, while Edmonton is third in the Pacific Division. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET from Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
Edmonton has a laundry list of injuries heading into tonight, including a majority of their most influential players. All of the following are out tonight: C Connor McDavid (lower body), C Leon Draisaitl (undisclosed), LW Evander Kane (knee), D Mattias Ekholm (undisclosed), D John Klingberg (lower body) and G Stuart Skinner (head).
We're still getting the opportunity to lock in the Blues at plus-money on the moneyline tonight. Let's ride with St. Louis, who has been on an absolute tear, winning 12 of their last 13 games (12-1-0). This offense is humming, ranking fifth in goals scored per 60 minutes (3.54) over the last 10 games. The Blues are third in goal differential per 60 minutes (+1.48) over the last 10 games, while the Oilers are 14th in the same category (-0.1). Give me St. Louis in this one.
Bet: Blues Moneyline (+110)
Calgary Flames (-150) vs. Anaheim Ducks (+125) | O/U 6.0 (-105/-115)
The NHL action wraps up out west with a Pacific Division showdown between the Flames (37-27-13, 87 points) and the Ducks (34-35-8, 76 points). Calgary is four points behind Minnesota for the final wild card position in the West, while Anaheim has been eliminated from contention. This game is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
At a flat 6.0 over/under, I love the under in this battle of bottom-tier offenses. Coming into the night, the Ducks are 28th in scoring (2.7 goals per game) while the Flames rank 30th (2.6 goals per game). In terms of shooting percentage, they're 27th (9.67%) and 31st (8.82%), respectively. And on the power play, Anaheim's the worst in the NHL at 12.26%, while Calgary is middle of the pack at 19th (21%).
Both teams have been stronger on the defensive side this season. The Ducks sneakily have one of the best goaltending duos in the league, as they're ranked eighth in SV% (.902). The Flames are 12th in the same category (.900). Finally, in the three prior meetings, the Flames are 3-0-0 against the Ducks, with each game finishing with exactly five goals (3-2 in overtime, 4-1, 4-1). Look for Calgary's defense to be ironclad as they try to secure two extremely important points to stay alive in the playoff race.
Bet: Under 6.0 Goals (-115)