We're fresh off of a 2-1 Tuesday on the ice, which includes a +170 ticket on the Blue Jackets -1.5, who cruised past the Predators in an 8-4 rout. Let's keep it rolling tonight. Here are my three favorite NHL bets from tonight's five-game slate.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook)
Washington Capitals (+135) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (-160) | O/U 5.5 (-120/+100)
We have a marquee clash in the Metropolitan Division getting us started tonight, with the Capitals (48-17-9) and Hurricanes (45-24-4) squaring off in North Carolina. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.
While these are two of the better defensive teams in the NHL, I'm going to make a cheeky wager on the Over here. For starters, the Caps are coming in on the second night of a back-to-back, after handling the Bruins 4-3 last night. They've now allowed 3+ goals in each of their last four games.
Meanwhile, the Canes are on an absolute heater, scoring 3.46 goals per game during their current 11-2-0 stretch of play. Over the last 10 games, Carolina is fourth in goals per 60 minutes (3.80), while Washington is fifth (3.79). I think we'll likely see this game land in the 4-2 or 4-3 range. Give me the Over.
Pick: Over 5.5 Goals (-120)
Florida Panthers (+100) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (-120) | O/U 5.5 (-120/+100)
Taking it over to the Atlantic Division, we have a high-leverage game that will alter the standings in a major way. Currently, the Atlantic looks like this in the first, second, and third spots: Maple Leafs (94 points), Lightning (93 points), and Panthers (92 points). This clash between the Cats (44-26-4) and the Leafs (45-25-4) is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
I'm going to back the Maple Leafs on the moneyline as slim favorites. Toronto has performed well at home this season, going 23-13-1. That's a winning percentage of 62.2%. On the other hand, the Panthers are in the midst of a 3-4-2 stretch, and they've dropped their last two outings. Interestingly, all three of those wins have taken overtime, so they're just not looking as sharp as we've become accustomed to with this club.
The big issue with the Panthers right now is their lack of offensive production. With Brad Marchand still searching for chemistry with his linemates and Matthew Tkachuk (lower body) sidelined, this team's simply not scoring enough. Over the last 10 games, they're 30th in goals scored per 60 minutes (2.06). Additionally, key defensemen Dmitry Kulikov (upper body) and Aaron Ekblad (suspension) are still out for Florida. Let's back Toronto at home tonight.
Pick: Maple Leafs Moneyline (-120)
Colorado Avalanche (-350) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (+280) | O/U 6.5 (-102/-118)
This Central Division showdown between the Avalanche (45-26-4) and the Blackhawks (21-44-9) should be a fun one, and I think we're primed for some scoring. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago, IL.
The Blackhawks have completely fallen off a cliff defensively. They come into the night ranked 30th in GAA (3.31) and 28th in SV% (.884). During their current 1-9-1 stretch of play, Chicago is allowing an average of 4.36 goals per contest. Also, what was once a strength in their penalty-killing unit, has declined as well, where Chicago's now 11th on the PK (80.69%).
These are not great signs when your next task is slowing down a high-octane Avs club, which has the league's second-best scorer in Nathan MacKinnon (30G, 80A). Colorado ranks eighth in scoring (3.3 GPG) and seventh on the power play (25.35%). Circling back to Chicago, they've allowed 4+ goals in five consecutive games, and I'm confident that Colorado's offense can hit the threshold as well. I'll play the Avs' team total to clear 4.0 goals.
Pick: Avalanche Team Total Over 4.0 Goals (-120)
