Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (2/26)
The bad news is that the NHL is rolling out a slim three-game slate tonight. The great news is we have bets on all three contests. Below I'll dive into each game from a betting perspective and share my three favorite NHL bets tonight.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)
Winnipeg Jets (-135) vs. Ottawa Senators (+115) | O/U 6.0 (+100/-120)
The Senators (29-24-4) have dropped their last four games (0-4-0), and things won't get any easier as they welcome the league-leading Jets (41-14-3). This cross-conference tilt starts at 7:00 p.m. ET from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON.
I have no issue laying the juice with the Jets in this road spot. We're getting a pretty decent price considering they're taking on the slumping, banged-up Senators. Ottawa currently has C Shane Pinto (upper-body), C Josh Norris (upper-body) and LW Brady Tkachuk (lower-body) all listed as day-to-day. During the above-mentioned four-game slide, the Sens have been out-scored 19-7.
That's not a great recipe when welcoming in the red-hot Jets. Winnipeg is on an absolute heater, riding a 10-game winning streak while out-scoring their opponents 41-20. That's an average of 4.1 goals per game compared to 2.0 goals allowed per game, which is pretty wild to think about over a sizable 10-game sample size.
The Jets have an edge in net with Connor Hellebuyck (2.04 GAA, .925 SV%) and they're taking on a Senators defense ranked 20th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (3.08) and 19th on the penalty kill (77.84%). Let's back the Jets to make it 11 straight wins.
Bet: Jets Moneyline (-135)
New Jersey Devils (+110) vs. Colorado Avalanche (-130) | O/U 5.5 (-120/+100)
A pair of teams who believe their championship windows are open square off in the Mile High City tonight, as the Avalanche (33-24-2) host the Devils (32-21-6) in a cross-conference battle. This game is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, CO.
Both squads have addressed their goaltending issues, and there's no denying they're playing more defensive-minded hockey nowadays. With that said, there's too much offensive talent in this game to not take a flier on the over. In terms of overall offense, the Avs are 11th in scoring (3.2 goals per game), while the Devils are 13th (3.1 goals per game). On the power play, they're 19th (21.05%) and third (27.88%), respectively.
From an expected goals per 60 minutes perspective, the Devils are second in the NHL (3.54), while the Avalanche are 13th (3.12). New Jersey also leads the league in high-danger shots (268). Five of their last 10 games have featured at least six combined goals. I expect that trend to continue as they take on a high-octane Colorado offense. Give me the over.
Bet: Over 5.5 Goals (-120)
Vancouver Canucks (+145) vs. Los Angeles Kings (-175) | O/U 5.5 (-110/-110)
The NHL action wraps up out west, as the Canucks (26-20-11) continue their five-game road trip, with the next stop being L.A. to take on the Kings (31-17-7). This Pacific Division clash gets underway at 10:00 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
The Jets (2.17 GAA) are widely accepted as the league's best defense, and I guess I have to agree based on the numbers. However, this Kings team is kind of flying under the radar with how dominant they've been defensively.
Los Angeles comes into tonight's action ranked third in GAA (2.36), fifth on the penalty kill (82.17%) and first in high-danger shots against (153). Specifically, Darcy Kuemper, their top netminder, is 18-6-6 with a 2.21 GAA (third) and .918 SV% (fourth). At home, he's 10-1-1 with a 2.07 GAA and .923 SV%.
With all that said, I am taking the under in this divisional showdown. The Canucks have also been sound defensively, ranking third in high-danger shots against (181) and ninth on the penalty kill (81.1%). Each offense ranks 15th or lower in overall offense (2.9 goals per game or worse). Let's not overthink this one and lock in the under.
Bet: Under 5.5 Goals (-110)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: