NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (10/14)

We’re moving on from a 16-game Frozen Frenzy slate to a small 2-game slate on Wednesday night. It starts with an Eastern Conference tilt between the Canadiens and Capitals, followed by a Central Division rivalry with the Stars and Avalanche.

My NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (10/13) settled 1-2. Jack Hughes led the Devils to a 5-4 overtime road win over the Red Wings, cashing New Jersey’s moneyline at -105 odds. The Senators got blown out by the Blues, 7-2, while the Bruins’ 6-3 win in San Jose never gave Under 6.5 a chance.

Oddsmakers have Washington as a -125 betting favorite at home, with a 6.5 goal total against Montreal. The Avalanche are -135 betting favorites at Ball Arena against the Stars, with a low 5.5 goal total.

I’ve got 3 picks to tail, each worth 1 unit, on tonight’s condensed NHL board. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay for more NHL betting analysis and free picks.

Wednesday’s NHL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Washington Capitals

Washington is a small home betting favorite against the Canadiens tonight. The Capitals are coming off a 4-2 road loss to the Hurricanes, and now, return home for the second game of a back-to-back.

Montreal has won 2 straight games in a shootout, both of which were played at home. The Canadiens are 1-1 SU on the road but will have Jakub Dobes in net tonight, which is not to their advantage. Dobes has a 4.43 GAA, allowing 11 goals in his previous 2 starts.

Conversely, Charlie Lindgren is expected in net for Washington. In his lone start, Lindgren stopped 27 of 29 shots in a 3-1 road loss to the Lightning.

Washington is facing a struggling goaltender and a team that hasn’t played on the road in over a week. The Capitals hold the edge in net, while scoring 3+ goals in 4 of 6 contests this season.

Let’s back the home favorite and bet on the Capitals moneyline at -125 odds.

Pick: Capitals Moneyline (-125)

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

The Stars and Avalanche will play for a second straight night, as the Avalanche prevailed with a 3-2 regulation win on Tuesday. Casey DeSmith is set to make his second start of the season in Denver, entering with a 2.05 GAA, while Scott Wedgewood looks to start 2-0 in 2026, allowing 3 goals in a win against the Flames.

There’s a consistent trend in this matchup. The goal total has gone Under in six straight games played by the Stars. Colorado has held 4 of 6 opponents to 3 or fewer goals this season, while failing to score more than 3 goals in back-to-back contests.

These teams are very familiar with each other, and both deploy stout defensive efforts to grind out wins. Let’s bet Under 5.5 total goals at plus odds in a game that could wind up with another 3-2 final score.

Pick: Under 5.5 (+114)

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

Colorado has won each of its last 11 games against opponents playing the second leg of a back-to-back. The Avalanche have star D Cale Makar dealing with a day-to-day injury status, while the Stars are also dealing with a day-to-day status for top forward Wyatt Johnston. Veteran Matt Duchene is on I.R. and will not be in Dallas’ lineup.

The Avalanche are 2-1 SU at home this season. After beating the Stars in Dallas last night, expect Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Nečas to continue dominating in the offensive zone, while the Stars’ sputtering offense gets held in check yet again.

Dallas has only scored 3 total goals in its previous 2 outings. That’s not going to be enough to beat the Avalanche on the road tonight.

Bet on the Avalanche moneyline at -135 odds.

Pick: Avalanche Moneyline (-135)