Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (2/7)
It's a slim three-game slate on the ice tonight, but I've got you covered from a sports betting standpoint. Below, I'll recap where each team stands entering the second half of the season, touch on the odds for all three games, and finish up by providing my top bet for each game.
Wednesday’s Best NHL Bets
(Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)
Tampa Bay Lightning (+115) @ New York Rangers (-135) | O/U 6.5 (-120/+100)
The night opens up with an Eastern Conference contest between the Lightning and the Rangers. Tampa Bay enters this game at 27-17-5 (59 points), which is good enough for third in the Atlantic Division. New York is holding down the top spot in the Metro Division at 31-16-3 (65 points). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY.
The Bolts have been on fire recently, so I'm going to take a shot on them as a slight underdog tonight. They've won eight of their last nine games, and it has been the offense that has come to life. Over the nine-game sample size, Tampa is averaging an outrageous 4.6 goals per game. Not to mention, the team has arguably the best player in the league suiting up tonight in Nikita Kucherov. He's tearing up the NHL this season, registering a league-leading 85 points (32G, 53A).
Meanwhile, New York has won two straight games, but they're just 5-6-2 over their last 13 games. The Rangers have allowed at least three goals in seven of those contests. Ultimately, this is more of a value play on the Bolts. Both of these teams are relatively even in my eyes, so I'll take a flier on the team getting plus odds.
Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline (+115)
Dallas Stars (+122) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (-145) | O/U 6.5 (-115/-105)
The Stars open up the second half with a three-game road trip, and they already have a 2-1 win under their belt after beating the Sabres last night. Dallas is tied for the top spot in the Central Division at 31-13-6 (68 points). As for the Maple Leafs, they've dropped to fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 25-15-8 (58 points). This cross-conference showdown is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
I suppose the Stars are considered underdogs in this spot because they're on the road and entering on the second night of a back-to-back. However, they've been playing excellent as of late, so I'm going to take this opportunity to play them as an underdog. Dallas is trending upward, going 9-2-1 in their last 12 games.
Their offense is arguably the best in the league, scoring 3.7 goals per game (3rd). This should be a favorable matchup against a Maple Leafs side that's still a little shaky defensively. They're just 19th in defensive scoring, conceding 2.98 goals per contest. Also, Toronto has a pedestrian record of 5-4-2 in its last 11 games. I think Dallas is the more well-rounded team, and I'm going to play them to secure the two points tonight.
Bet: Dallas Stars Moneyline (+122)
Minnesota Wild (-220) @ Chicago Blackhawks (+180) | O/U 5.5 (-110/-110)
The night concludes with a Central Division showdown, as the Blackhawks host the Wild. The Hawks are still in the cellar of the division at 14-34-2 (30 points), while the Wild sits right above them in seventh with a record of 21-23-5 (47 points). Puck drop is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago, IL.
While the expectations weren't very high for Chicago entering this season, the Blackhawks have still found a way to underachieve. We knew they'd take some lumps during this rebuild, but their inexperience coupled with injuries to the veteran players they brought in means the wheels have completely fallen off. The Blackhawks are just 4-18-1 in their last 23 games.
Over their last 15 games, Chicago has scored three or more goals only twice. They're averaging just 1.1 goals per game over the 15-game sample size, with one of those 17 goals coming courtesy of a shootout point. So, they've really only scored 16 goals in their last 15 games (1.07 GPG). While Minnesota certainly isn't the best defensive team (26th, 3.22 GAA), they should be able to shut down this lowly Chicago offense. Overall, the Hawks are 31st in scoring (2.1 GPG) and 32nd on the power play (12.42%). I'm locking in the under 2.5 goals for Chicago tonight.
Bet: Chicago Blackhawks Team Total U 2.5 (-145)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: