Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (1/1)
After a thrilling 13-game slate yesterday, the NHL returns with a standalone contest this evening between the Devils and Kings. Below I'll touch on the odds for this game, as well as provide my favorite way to bet on the cross-conference tilt in Los Angeles.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook
New Jersey Devils (-110) vs. Los Angeles Kings (-110) | O/U 6.0 (+100/-120)
The Devils (24-13-3) wrap up their two-game Southern California road trip tonight, and they're looking to rebound after suffering a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Ducks yesterday. Up next are the Kings (21-10-5), and this contest gets underway at 6:00 p.m. ET from crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
This should be an excellent standalone game between two playoff contenders. That's reflected in the odds, as this game is priced as a pick 'em. Los Angeles has flown under the radar this season, and they actually lead the league in xGoals% (56.48%) during 5-on-5 play. They do a fantastic job at keeping their goaltenders out of harm’s way, as their netminders have faced the fewest high-danger shots (88) in the league this year. To put that in perspective, Dallas is second (106), so L.A. has faced nearly 20 fewer high-danger shots. This has led to the Kings owning the fourth-best overall defense in the NHL (2.47 GAA).
If you can't tell by this point, I'm riding with the Kings to win this game outright. In addition to their sound defense, there are a couple of other reasons as to why I like them in this pick 'em spot. First, crypto.com Arena has been a fortress for the Kings, as they're 12-2-1 at home. Additionally, there's the fact that the Devils are entering on the second night of a back-to-back, and they've also lost two straight games. I won't be surprised if this moneyline moves closer to -130 in favor of Los Angeles by puck drop, so let's lock in the Kings at this great price.
Bet: Kings Moneyline (-110)