Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (3/25)
We're coming off of a perfect 3-0 sweep with last night's NHL picks, and I'm looking to stay hot as we navigate tonight's two-game betting board. Let's waste no time and dive right into the best bets and analysis.
Wednesday's NHL Picks & Best Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
New York Rangers (-114) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (-105) | 6.5 (+110/-134)
A late-season Original Six contest between these legendary franchises typically has high stakes, but that won't be the case this time, since the Rangers (28-34-9) and the Maple Leafs (30-29-13) are 16th and 15th in the Eastern Conference, respectively. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
Clearly, neither of these teams have been playing quality hockey this season. The Blue Shirts enter riding a 0-4-1 stretch, while the Leafs are just 3-8-4 across their last 15 games.
With that being said, I'm going to back the Rangers in a pick 'em spot tonight. Even though they've been losing recently, the offense has been rolling. Over the last 10 games, New York ranks 11th in goals per 60 minutes (3.27) and second in shooting percentage (15.35 percent). They'll take on a Toronto squad that's dead last in Corsi percentage (39.63 percent) over the last 10 games.
New York also brings in the better power-play unit (23.76 percent vs. 19.54 percent), and I believe they have the better netminder in this matchup in Igor Shesterkin. Toronto is on the heels of a 4-2 road win against Boston last night, but that means they'll be playing on zero days of rest. The Leafs return home, where they're just 1-10 SU in their last 11 home games. When adding all of these factors together, it looks like backing the Rangers is the best bet.
Bet: New York Rangers Moneyline (-114)
Boston Bruins (+172) vs. Buffalo Sabres (-210) | 6.5 (-110/-110)
The Sabres (44-20-7) return home following a 3-0-1 west coast road trip, and they currently possess the Atlantic Division lead. As for the Bruins (39-24-8), they're in sole possession of the top Wild Card spot, but hold a narrow one-point lead over the eight- and ninth-place teams in the Eastern Conference. This should be a fun one, and it gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY.
I'll be on the under in this divisional clash. Really, I simply do not trust Boston's offense to pull their weight in getting the final score over the number. The Bruins rank 21st in expected goals per 60 minutes (2.97) during all situations this year, and they slide to 24th (2.27) during 5-on-5 play. They bring in a top-10 power-play unit, but they're tasked with scoring on Buffalo's fifth-ranked penalty kill (81.87 percent)
Furthermore, both of these defenses have been dialed in recently. Over the last 10 games, the Sabres are sixth in GAA (2.37) and fifth in team save percentage (.910), while the B's are 10th (2.63) and fourth (.911), respectively. The under has cashed in five of Buffalo's last six games, while going 6-3 in the last nine meetings between the clubs. Let's lock in the under in this high-stakes showdown.
Bet: Under 6.5 Goals (-110)