Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/1)
It's a slim three-game slate in the NHL tonight, but a couple of the games have playoff implications. The Blues and Kings will square off, as they each attempt to make a late push for a Wild Card spot. The night wraps up with a battle of young, up-and-coming squads, with the Ducks taking on the Sharks. I've got you covered from a sports betting angle tonight. Let's touch on the odds for each game and dive into my best NHL picks & predictions.
Wednesday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Vancouver Canucks (+340) vs. Colorado Avalanche (-440) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
The first game of the night pits the league's best team, the Avalanche (49-14-10), against the worst, the Canucks (21-44-8). This Western Conference clash gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET from Ball Arena in Denver, CO.
This is an interesting game from a sports betting angle because of the massive disparity between the two teams. I mean, the Avalanche are nearly a 5-to-1 favorite in this game, and they're -2.5 (-115) on the puck line.
Colorado should dismantle Vancouver, and I do think we'll see their defense continue to shine. Over the last 10 games, the Avalanche ranks sixth in team GAA (2.47), 13th in save percentage (.893) and seventh in high-danger shots on goal against (27).
They'll welcome in arguably the worst offense in the NHL tonight. Over the last 10 games, Vancouver is averaging only 2.08 goals per 60 minutes (31st) and has the fewest high-danger shots on goal (19) during the stretch. The Canucks are also 30th in Corsi percentage (44.07%) during the 10-game sample size, suggesting they've been playing on their heels quite a bit.
Vancouver has scored fewer than two goals in five of its last 15 games. This is shaping up to be another tough matchup for them to find the back of the net. Let's take the +155 payout to say the Canucks go under 1.5 goals.
Bet: Canucks Team Total Under 1.5 Goals (+155)
St. Louis Blues (+124) vs. Los Angeles Kings (-148) | O/U 5.5 (-115/-105)
The Kings (29-26-18) are only one point out of the Wild Card race, and they'll host a Blues team (31-31-11) that's four points back. St. Louis has won 10 of its last 14 games (10-2-2), catapulting themselves up the standings. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA.
One of the main reasons for the Blues' excellent run recently has been their tremendous defense and goaltending. In the last 10 games, St. Louis ranks first in team GAA (1.85) and save percentage (.930). Coach Jim Montgomery's crew has also allowed the third-fewest high-danger shots on goal (26) during the 10-game sample size.
The Kings have also been solid defensively this season. According to our over/under tracker, the Kings are the second-best under team this season at 42-31 behind the Blackhawks (44-31).
Five of the last six meetings between these teams have stayed under the number, while St. Louis specifically has gone 12-3 to the under in its last 15 outings. Neither offense has much to write home about in the superstar department. Considering the monumental stakes of this game, the defenses will win the day.
Bet: Under 5.5 Goals (-105)
Anaheim Ducks (-115) vs. San Jose Sharks (-105) | O/U 6.5 (-122/+102)
The Sharks (34-31-7) have been going through a rough stretch, but they still find themselves only two points out of a postseason position. As for the Ducks (41-28-5), they currently sit atop the Pacific Division with a two-point cushion. This divisional tilt is slated for 9:00 p.m. ET from the SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA.
This game is priced in the pick’em range, and I'd say that's fair since San Jose has home-ice advantage. However, the SAP Center isn't exactly a fortress for the Sharks, as they're a modest 18-12-5 at home this season.
I'll be on the Ducks this evening, as I ultimately think they're just the more refined team. San Jose has the most dynamic player on the ice in Macklin Celebrini (38 goals, 63 assists). Anaheim, however, has a crisper defense, a more experienced veteran core and is the deeper team.
The Sharks have also been sliding as of late, going just 2-5-1 in their last eight games. Furthermore, the Ducks have owned this series in recent history, going 6-1 straight up (SU) in the last seven head-to-head meetings. Let's back Anaheim's potent offense against San Jose's sluggish defense and goaltending.
Bet: Ducks Moneyline (-115)