Navigate

Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (2/28)

by |

There are only two games in the NHL tonight, but there are still plenty of ways to get in on the action from a betting perspective.

Below, I'll break down each game and let you know where I'm laying my money on the ice tonight.

Wednesday's Best NHL Bets

(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)

Columbus Blue Jackets (+200) @ New York Rangers (-250) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-120)

The Rangers had their 10-game win streak snapped last time out, losing 4-2 in Columbus on Sunday. They'll have a shot at redemption tonight in the Big Apple as they host the Blue Jackets for the second leg of a home-and-home scenario. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. 

Jonathan Quick got the nod in Sunday's loss to the Jackets, so it'll likely be Igor Shesterkin making the start tonight at home. The netminder has been excellent over his last three outings, going 3-0-0 while allowing just three goals. He stopped 119 shots on 122 attempts over the three-game sample size (.975 SV%). As a team this season, the Rangers are the fourth-best defensive team in the league, conceding only 2.58 goals per game. I think New York's defense shows up in this game, creating a viable path for the Rangers to cover the puck line.

It should be a relatively easy challenge for the Rangers' offense, as they're tasked with scoring on the 30th-ranked defense in the league (3.42 GAA). Columbus is also 25th on the penalty kill, killing off just 76.65% of opposing power plays. New York brings in the fifth-ranked power play unit, cashing 24.86% of their man-advantage opportunities. All signs point to the Rangers getting back to their winning ways tonight. Let's lay the 1.5 goals with New York. 

Bet: New York Rangers -1.5 (+100)

St. Louis Blues (+220) @ Edmonton Oilers (-275) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-120)

The night concludes with a Western Conference clash between the Blues and the Oilers. St. Louis enters the night at 30-26-2 (62 points), which is good enough for fifth place in the Central Division. Edmonton is in third place in the Pacific, owning a record of 34-20-2 (70 points). The NHL nightcap gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. 

Edmonton's 16-game win streak featured some spectacular goaltending from Stuart Skinner. However, since the streak was snapped earlier this month, the Oilers have looked vulnerable in their own zone. They're 5-5-1 in 11 games since the streak ended, surrendering 4.4 goals per game. Included in the current 11-game sample size in a 6-3 beatdown at the hands of the Blues back on Feb. 15. In my opinion, the Oilers have turned back to their old ways, where they're looking to win every game 6-5. That said, I'm locking in the over tonight in Alberta. 

On the flip side, the Blues are currently 15th defensively, allowing 2.90 goals per game. They're also a pedestrian 16th on the PK, killing off 79.49% of their penalties. During 5-on-5 play, the Blues have allowed 1,504 shots on goal this season, which is the fourth-most in the NHL. That's not a great metric when you're tasked with taking on two of the best forwards in the game. Ultimately, I think both offenses find enough success to help push this game over the total.

Bet: Over 6.5 (+100)

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

Try Premium for FREE in our mobile app

BettingPros App