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Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (1/31)

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It’s the final day before the All-Star Break and the NHL offers up a three-game slate to close out the “unofficial first half” of the 2023-2024 campaign.

Below, I’ll dive into the odds of each game and let you know where I’m placing my money on the ice tonight. Let’s head into the break with some winners!

Wednesday’s NHL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook)

Ottawa Senators (+100) @ Detroit Red Wings (-120) | O/U 7.0 (+105/-130)

The night gets underway with an Atlantic Division clash between the Senators and the Red Wings. Ottawa is currently in the division’s cellar (40 points), while Detroit resides in fifth place (57 points). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. 

It has been a rollercoaster ride of a season for Detroit, but it appears they’re on the upswing as they’re 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. I will back the Red Wings at home tonight as short favorites. They’ve been solid at home this season, posting a 14-8-4 record. It’s confirmed that Alex Lyon will start between the pipes tonight. The 31-year-old has been great in 11 starts this month, going 8-2-1 with a 2.51 GAA and .926 SV%. 

If Lyon turns in any type of decent outing, the Wings should cruise to a victory. That’s because Detroit will be squaring off against one of the worst defenses in the NHL. Ottawa is currently 31st in overall defense (3.50 GAA) and 28th on the penalty kill (74.17%). The Wings bring in the fifth-best offense in the league, averaging 3.5 goals per game. Let’s ride with Detroit at home tonight.

Bet: Detroit Red Wings Moneyline (-120)

Los Angeles Kings (-120) @ Nashville Predators (+100) | O/U 6.0 (-110/-110)

The hockey night continues with a Western Conference showdown as the Kings take on the Predators. Los Angeles is limping into the break, as they’re just 2-8-6 in their last 16 games. This ugly stretch has dropped them into fourth place in the Pacific Division (54 points). Nashville has also racked up 54 points so far, which is good enough for fifth in the Central. This contest is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. 

Los Angeles’ defense has really fallen off over this horrid run to the break. Specifically, they’ve allowed 18 goals (4.5 GAA) over their current four-game slide. And, while Nashville may not be an elite offense (19th, 3.0 GPG), they have some stars at the top of their lineup that’ll make you pay with poor defensive play. The Kings enter tonight’s action with the third-highest percentage of giveaways in the defensive zone in five-on-five play (66.54%). If they can’t get the puck out cleanly, skaters like Filip Forsberg (23G, 27A) and Ryan O’Reilly (17G, 25A) will take advantage.

Conversely, Nashville’s defense hasn’t been too sharp this season, ranking 15th in overall defense (2.92 GAA) and 27th on the penalty kill (76.40%). The Preds are just 2-4-1 in their last seven games, and they’ve allowed at least three goals in five of those contests. With neither defense playing its best, I think these two middle-of-the-pack offenses elevate their play and score some goals, give me the over!

Bet: Over 6.0 (-110)

San Jose Sharks (+150) @ Anaheim Ducks (-185) | O/U 6.0 (-105/-115)

The Sharks and the Ducks have the honor of sending us off to the break in a matchup of the bottom-feeders in the Pacific. San Jose’s coming off of a 2-0 winning effort last night, but they’re still last in the division (32 points). As for Anaheim, they’re in seventh with 36 points. The nightcap gets underway at 10:30 p.m. ET from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. 

The Sharks have actually been playing solid hockey recently, going 4-1-0 in their last five games. The offense is waking up, as they’ve scored 16 goals over the five-game run (3.2 GPG). That includes a 5-3 home victory over the Ducks on Jan. 20. At an even 6.0 goals, I think it’s worth a shot on the over. That way, we always have a push to fall back on if it ends 4-2 or 5-1. 

Despite San Jose’s recent success, their defense is still in shambles. They’re dead last in goals against (3.64 GAA), penalty killing (72.33%) and high-danger shots against during 5-on-5 play (136). Anaheim has had a tendency to play in high-scoring games recently, seeing eight of its last 10 games feature at least six goals. Factor in that the Sharks are on the second night of a back-to-back, and this game could get a little loose. I’ll play the over in Southern California tonight.

Bet: Over 6.0 (-105)

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

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