Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (3/26)
We have a couple of high-leverage matchups in the NHL tonight, including the Canucks vs. Islanders and the Stars vs. Oilers. Below I'll dive into those games from a sports betting perspective, as well as a third contest, and let you know where I'm laying my money on the ice. Here are my three favorite NHL bets tonight.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook)
Vancouver Canucks (+100) vs. New York Islanders (-120) | O/U 5.5 (+105/-125)
A couple of playoff hopefuls square off in New York tonight, as the Canucks (33-26-12) take on the Islanders (32-28-10) in a cross-conference tilt. Vancouver is five points out of the final Wild Card spot, while New York is chasing eighth-place Montreal by just one point in the Eastern Conference standings. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.
Both of these teams are more defensive-minded, but I think this is a great opportunity to take a shot on an Over 5.5 goals with a plus-money payout. For the Canucks, they've seen at least six combined goals in their last four games, and those contests are averaging 7.5 goals per game. The Isles have eclipsed the 5.5-goal mark in five straight games (6.6 GPG).
Over the last 10 games, the Canucks are 28th in SV% (.869) and 17th in goals against per 60 minutes (3.03). As for the season-long numbers, they've dropped to 19th in team GAA (2.80), while the Islanders are a middle-of-the-pack 13th (2.69). New York's GAA has risen to 3.13 across their current 3-2-3 stretch of play. With both of these defenses reeling, I'm taking a flier on the over at a deflated number of 5.5 goals.
Pick: Over 5.5 Goals (+105)
Dallas Stars (-150) vs. Edmonton Oilers (+125) | O/U 6.0 (-110/-110)
The marquee game in the NHL tonight comes in the Great White North, where the Oilers (41-24-5) are set to host the Stars (45-21-4) in what could be a potential Western Conference Finals matchup. Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
I'm not too shocked to see Dallas as such a sizable favorite here, and I'm willing to lay the juice with them in this spot. The Stars have been on a heater recently, going 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. This team is absolutely loaded, and they're primed for a deep playoff run with their additions of Mikko Rantanen and Mikael Granlund at the trade deadline.
The Stars also boast the league's best penalty-killing unit (84.95%), which will be key here, as they take on an Oilers squad that's somewhat reliant on man-advantage scoring. With that being said, Edmonton is also at a disadvantage with superstar centers Connor McDavid (lower-body) and Leon Draisaitl (illness) both being sidelined. Without those two in the lineup, I'm actually surprised that this moneyline isn't closer to -185 in favor of the visitors. Let's back the red-hot Stars in this one.
Pick: Stars Moneyline (-150)
Boston Bruins (+100) vs. Anaheim Ducks (-120) | O/U 6.0 (+100/-120)
The night wraps up in Orange County with a somewhat meaningless clash between the Bruins (30-33-9) and the Ducks (30-32-8). However, every matchup is meaningful when you have a few bucks on it. This game gets underway at 10:00 p.m. ET from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
The Bruins are in absolute shambles right now, which is why we're seeing them as a slight underdog against the lowly Ducks. Boston's just 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, and they're coming off of a 7-2 beatdown at the hands of Los Angeles on Sunday. Over the last 10 days, the B's are 31st in both goals against per 60 minutes (4.07) and SV% (.856). The goaltending has been an issue all season, where they're now 25th in GAA (3.01) and 27th in SV% (.886).
Boston has been equally as bad on the offensive side. They're 30th in scoring (2.6 GPG), 29th on the power play (14.56%), and 26th in shooting percentage (9.88%). This plays into Anaheim's strength, which is their goaltending. The Ducks boast the seventh-best SV% (.903) in the NHL. Anaheim is a modest 16-16-2 at home this season, and I like them to secure the two points in this game.
Pick: Ducks Moneyline (-120)