Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/15)
The 16-team Stanley Cup Playoff field is set, and all that's left to do now is solidify the matchups in the Western Conference. Vegas, a -300 moneyline favorite against visiting Seattle, can lock up the Pacific Division title tonight with a point. If you're looking for a breakdown of all scenarios that can play out in the West, check out this X thread from hockey insider Frank Seravalli.
I've got you covered from a sports betting angle this evening. The league has six games on Wednesday's docket, most of which are meaningless due to the playoff picture nearly being set. However, I still have a few best bets that I'm riding with to close out the year. Here are my top NHL bets for Wednesday, April 15th.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of Hard Rock Bet)
Detroit Red Wings (-135) vs. Florida Panthers (+115) | 6.5 (+105/-130)
The Red Wings (41-30-10) will finish their disappointing season tonight against the Panthers (39-38-4). The back-to-back champs had a tough year as well, as they've been plagued by injury all throughout 2025-26. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.
These teams have been playing in higher-scoring games recently, but we have to draw the line somewhere. I'm going to lay the juice and play the under while it's still at 6.5 goals. For starters, the Panthers have a laundry list of injuries, including missing Aleksander Barkov (IR), Brad Marchand (IR), Evan Rodrigues (OUT), and Sam Reinhart (OUT). Anton Lundell (DTD) and Matthew Tkachuk (DTD) could both miss the game as well.
Furthermore, the under has been a profitable wager in these teams’ head-to-head matchups, going 8-2 in the last 10. Detroit's offense, over the last 10 games, ranks 13th in goals per 60 minutes (3.27) and 13th in shooting percentage (12.18 percent). Florida is 22nd (2.98) and 16th (11.9 percent) in those respective categories. With the Panthers rolling out a skeleton crew and neither offense really in a groove, I think it's worth a play on the under.
Bet: Under 6.5 Goals (-130)
San Jose Sharks (-125) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (+105) | 6.5 (-110/-110)
This Western Conference clash between the Sharks (38-34-8) and the Blackhawks (28-39-14) features two eliminated teams, but I'll still be keeping an eye on it due to it having a couple of young stars in Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard going toe-to-toe. This one gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago, IL.
This will be the third meeting between these up-and-coming teams this year, and each team has won once. I'll back the Sharks as moderate road favorites. They simply seem like the more complete team at this point, having a decent mix of competent, young talent and grizzled veterans sprinkled in.
This Chicago squad has been a joke down the stretch. Whether they're simply this bad or trying to tank and improve their chances at a better draft pick is up for debate. What isn't debatable are the cold, hard statistics, which show that the Blackhawks are just 1-8-1 in their last 10 outings. During the 10-game stretch, they're last in goal differential per 60 minutes (-2.4), 31st in team GAA (4.5), and 30th in Corsi percentage (44.76 percent). I think the Sharks take care of business in this one.
Bet: San Jose Sharks Moneyline (-125)
Seattle Kraken (+225) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (-300) | 6.5 (+115/-145)
As I mentioned in the intro, the Golden Knights (38-26-17) are looking to secure a division title tonight. They've been fabulous under Coach John Tortorella, riding a seven-game point streak (6-0-1). This matchup with the Kraken (34-35-11) is slated for 10:00 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
Like the aforementioned Blackhawks, it hasn't been a fun finish to the season for the Kraken. Seattle is just 2-6-1 in its last nine games. Going back even further, they're just 3-9-2 in their last 14 outings. All nine of the regulation losses across the recent 14-game sample size have been multi-goal defeats for the Kraken. This team has completely thrown in the towel on the 2025-26 campaign.
Meanwhile, Vegas is picking up steam. They're sixth in goals per 60 minutes (3.61) over the last 10 games, while sitting third in Corsi percentage (55.59 percent). They've been an analytics darling all season (5th in xGD/60), but we're finally starting to see tangible results under Coach Tortorella. They're 6-0-1 in the Tortorella era, winning four of those games by 2+ goals. Let's back this highly motivated Knights team at The Fortress tonight.
Bet: Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (-115)