Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (10/16)
The NHL is back with a four-game slate tonight. I've narrowed in on three of the games from a betting perspective. Below are my top three bets for tonight’s NHL slate.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Buffalo Sabres (+110) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-130) | O/U 6.5 (-102/-118)
We have an exciting early-season Eastern Conference matchup on the schedule tonight, as the Sabres (1-3-0) take on the Penguins (2-2-0) in the Steel City. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
Both of these teams have playoff aspirations this year, which means they'll both want to capture these points against mid-tier opposition. However, rather than play a side, I'm going to come back on the under at this elevated number of 6.5 goals. Goals have been tough to come by for the Sabres this year, as they're averaging only 2.0 of them per game - 29th in the NHL.
The Penguins have found some more luck offensively, scoring 3.5 goals per game (11th). With that said, I'm still not overly confident they're going to continue lighting the lamp at this pace. Pittsburgh's coming off of a year where they scored 3.1 goals per game (17th) while ranking 30th on the power play (15.1%). As for the new campaign, the Pens are 2-10 (20%) on the man advantage, which is a mediocre 18th. On that note, Buffalo is 0-14 (0%) on the power play this year. This total of 6.5 goals feels a bit lofty, so I'm locking in the under.
Bet: Under 6.5 Goals (-118)
Los Angeles Kings (+145) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (-175) | O/U 6.0 (-122/+102)
The Kings are in the midst of a seven-game road trip to start the year. They've posted a 1-0-2 record out of the gate. As for the Maple Leafs (2-0-1), they've rattled off two straight wins after getting shut out 1-0 by the Senators in their season opener. Tonight's cross-conference clash is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
I'm looking to fade Los Angeles' defense early this year. For starters, Drew Doughty (ankle), a future Hall of Fame defenseman, will be sidelined for a while with the injury he suffered during the preseason. The Kings were just blasted for eight goals in an 8-7 barnburning loss to the Senators on Monday. So, it appears they are vulnerable on the backend.
That's not a great recipe when you're tasked with slowing down reigning "Rocket" Richard winner Auston Matthews (69 goals in 2023-24), and this high-octane Maple Leafs offense. After getting blanked 1-0 by the Sens in the opener, the Leafs scored four goals in each of their two subsequent games. They've covered the 1.5-goal puck line in each of those contests (4-2 vs. NJ, 4-2 vs. PIT). Ultimately, I don't think the Kings have the offensive firepower to keep pace in this game, especially as they take on a Toronto side that appears to be much more disciplined defensively under head coach Craig Berube. I'll lay the -1.5 goals with Toronto tonight.
Bet: Maple Leafs -1.5 (+145)
Utah Hockey Club (-130) vs. Anaheim Ducks (+110) | O/U 6.0 (-122/+102)
The NHL night wraps up out west with a Western Conference tilt between the Utah Hockey Club (3-1-0) and the Anaheim Ducks (1-1-0). Utah started 3-0-0 but suffered its first loss in New Jersey on Monday in a 3-0 defeat. Tonight's game gets underway at 10:00 p.m. ET from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
I'll lay the juice and play Utah on the Moneyline as a road favorite tonight. The Hockey Club has a young, dynamic offensive core, and we're seeing them light up the scoreboard early on. Through their first four games, they're averaging 4.0 goals per game (fourth). They're cashing in on 27.3% of their power plays, which is ninth in the NHL.
On the flip side, goals have been tough to come by for the Ducks, as they're scoring only 1.5 per contest. That's dead last in the entire NHL. They've also been blanked on the power play, going 0-6 (0%) to start the new season. Ultimately, I believe these organizations are in different echelons at the moment. Utah's continuing to develop its young talent and is turning into a serious competitor, while Anaheim still feels like it's in true rebuilding mode. If Utah has its eyes set on the playoffs this year, they cannot leave points on the table against easy opponents like this. Let's ride with the Hockey Club.
Bet: Hockey Club Moneyline (-130)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: