Top 3 NHL Playoffs Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/30)
The NHL playoffs continue tonight, and we have three games to dive into from a sports betting perspective. Below, I'll list the odds, break down each game and finish with my favorite bets on the ice. Here are my top NHL bets tonight.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of bet365)
Montreal Canadiens (+165) vs. Washington Capitals (-200) | O/U 6.0 (-110/-110)
The Capitals (3-1) bounced back with a 5-2 win in Game 4, which means they'll return home looking to close out the Canadiens (1-3) this evening. Game 5 gets underway at 7:00 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
I'm taking a flier on the plus-money payout that comes with Washington to win by two or more goals tonight. I expect this physical, veteran team to come out and bury the young, up-and-coming Habs on their home ice, punching their ticket to a second-round matchup with the Hurricanes.
The biggest issue I have with Montreal is that they'll likely be without goaltender Sam Montembeault (lower-body injury) in net. This defense was already shaky entering the series, as they closed out the regular season ranked 23rd in GAA (3.01).
Now you throw a backup netminder in the crease in a hostile road environment, and I don't see how this high-octane Capitals offense, which is averaging 3.5 goals per game this series, doesn't light up the scoreboard. Give me Washington -1.5.
Bet: Washington Capitals -1.5 (+130)
Florida Panthers (-105) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-115) | O/U 5.5 (-115/-105)
This in-state showdown between the Panthers (3-1) and the Lightning (1-3) could wrap up tonight, as the reigning champs are just one win away from disposing of their rival. The series shifts back to Tampa Bay, and puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from Amalie Arena.
To start with some housekeeping, Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad will miss the next two games due to a suspension. He laid an illegal hit on Tampa Bay winger Brandon Hagel (upper-body injury), who is also set to miss this game. Knocking out a 35-goal scorer benefits the Cats compared to the loss of a guy like Ekblad.
This is already a series the Panthers have dominated defensively, as they bring in the second-best GAA (2.25) in the postseason. Only the Hurricanes (1.9) are better. During 5-on-5 play, Florida has allowed only five high-danger shots, which is the best of the 16 playoff teams.
On the penalty kill, they're 14-for-15 (93.33%), which ranks second. With a veteran netminder of Sergei Bobrovsky's (2.01 GAA, .902 SV%) caliber, I like Florida's chances to end this series tonight. I'll ride with the Panthers.
Bet: Panthers Moneyline (-105)
St. Louis Blues (+150) vs. Winnipeg Jets (-180) | O/U 5.5 (+120/-140)
After losing consecutive games to open the series, the Blues (2-2) bounced back and evened up their series against the Jets (2-2) with a pair of home wins. The series shifts back to the Great White North for Game 5. Tonight's game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB.
This total is a bit of a head-scratcher to me. We just saw Connor Hellebuyck and this Winnipeg defense get lit up for 12 goals in two games in St. Louis, and now we have a total sitting at only 5.5 goals tonight. I'll ride with the over. Three of the four games have seen at least six goals, with an average of 6.5 goals per game.
St. Louis' four goals per game make them the highest-scoring team in the playoffs this season. They've gone 6-for-18 on the power play, which makes them the third-best team in that metric (33.33%).
The Blues are a legit threat offensively. They proved that to close out the regular season, ranking first in scoring (3.64 goals per game) over the final 20 games. Both offenses should find enough success to get us over this deflated total of 5.5 goals.
Bet: Over 5.5 Goals (+120)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: