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Top 3 NHL Playoffs Odds & Picks: Wednesday (4/24)

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The NHL playoffs are back tonight, and we have a thrilling three-game slate to tune into. Below, I'll dive into each game from a betting perspective and let you know where I'm laying my money on the ice.

Here are my three favorite bets in the NHL for Wednesday, April 24.

Our NHL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet assists bettors by comparing lines from leading sportsbooks with our daily projections >>

Wednesday’s Best NHL Bets

(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)

Boston Bruins (-104) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (-115) | O/U 6.0 (+100/-120)

The Maple Leafs escaped with a 3-2 victory over the Bruins in Game 2 on Monday, knotting up the series 1-1 as it shifts to Ontario. The two sides are back at it tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. 

I've been on the Bruins in each of the first two games, and I'm going right back to them tonight. The 3-2 defeat was the first time that the Leafs beat the Bruins in the last nine head-to-head games! Clearly, Boston has dominated this rivalry in recent history. They've also owned the postseason meetings, considering Toronto hasn't taken down Boston in the playoffs since 1959. I'll side with history and take the B's at a short moneyline price. 

Boston's the more fundamental team with a better goaltending situation, and that's ultimately why I think they take care of business tonight. Coach Jim Montgomery will turn to Jeremy Swayman in-net, and the 25-year-old was fantastic in Game 1, making 35 saves on 36 opposing shot attempts. That's after a full regular season where Swaymen went 25-10-8 with a 2.53 GAA (eighth) and .916 SV% (fifth).

The Bruins were also better on the PK throughout the regular season, ranking seventh (82.46%), while the Leafs were just 23rd (76.89%). It's all about attention to detail in the postseason, and this Boston organization is one of the most disciplined teams in the league each year. I like the Bruins to take a 2-1 series lead tonight. 

Bet: Boston Bruins Moneyline (-104)

Vegas Golden Knights (+150) @ Dallas Stars (-178) | O/U 5.5 (-130/+106)

It only took 83 seconds for Mark Stone to light the lamp in the series opener, so it's safe to say he's in great form after a two-month stint on LTIR leading up to the playoffs. Vegas earned a 4-3 road win in Game 1, essentially shifting the home-ice advantage back to them. Game 2 is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET from the American Airlines Center in Dallas. 

This is a must-win game for the Stars, and I guess that's why they're so expensive on the moneyline. I cannot pass up a +150 payout with the defending champs, especially after they just went into Dallas and took Game 1 relatively easily. The win marked Vegas' fifth straight over Dallas, a streak that dates back to last postseason, which featured a Game 6 beatdown that the Golden Knights won 6-0. They also swept the series this year in the regular season. 

This Vegas team is built for the postseason. They're almost 100% healthy, and they added Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin into the mix at the deadline, making them extremely dangerous. The Knights also finished the season ranked third in blocked shots per game (18.37), which is an important metric come playoff time. Between the head-to-head history and the deep roster of Vegas, I think playing them as underdogs is worth a shot tonight. 

Bet: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (+150)

Los Angeles Kings (+158) @ Edmonton Oilers (-190) | O/U 6.0 (-110/-110)

The NHL night wraps up out west as the Oilers look to take a 2-0 lead over the visiting Kings. Zach Hyman registered a hat trick in Game 1, paving the way to a 7-4 Edmonton win. Game 2 is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. 

I don't see much value in betting a side in this game, so I will look at the total. After seeing 11 goals in Game 1, I'll take a flier on the over to cash for a second-straight game. Edmonton's high-octane offense is why I like the over in this spot. They've been impressive all season, finishing third in overall offense (3.6 GPG) and fourth on the power play (26.34%). Even though Los Angeles' defense has been sharp this year, I don't know if they have what it takes to shut down the Oilers' dynamic offense. 

On the flip side, Los Angeles has the offensive prowess to help contribute to the total. Over their last nine games, the Kings are averaging 3.4 goals per game. They'll be looking to score on an Edmonton team that's just 2-3-1 in their last six games, conceding 3.7 goals per game over the stretch. I see a path to each team scoring at least three goals in this game, which would send us over the total. Give me the over tonight in Alberta. 

Bet: Over 6.0 (-110)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:

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