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Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/3)

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The NHL rolls out a five-game slate on Wednesday, headlined by a couple of heavyweight tilts, as the Lightning take on the Maple Leafs and the Oilers square off against the Stars. I have bets on each of those games and a third favorite play for the slim hockey schedule.

Here are my three favorite bets in the NHL tonight, Wednesday, April 3.

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Wednesday’s NHL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Tampa Bay Lightning (+110) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (-130) | O/U 6.5 (-118/-102)

The night gets underway with a huge Atlantic Division clash as the Lightning take on the Maple Leafs. Tampa Bay is currently fourth in the division (89 points), while Toronto sits in third place (95 points). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. 

This will be the third of four meetings between these two squads, and both of the prior games have seen at least seven goals. Toronto won both games in overtime, winning 4-3 on Oct. 21 and 6-5 on Nov. 6. With these two high-octane offenses, I'm locking in the over to hit for a third time in this season series. 

The Leafs enter this game ranked fourth in overall offense (3.6 GPG), while the Bolts are right behind them at fifth (3.5 GPG). On the power play, Tampa's currently first overall, cashing 29.28% of their man-advantage opportunities. They'll take on a Toronto penalty kill that's an underwhelming 21st overall (77.62%). The Leafs are also seventh on the power play, nailing 24.41% of their chances on the PP. There should be no shortage of scoring tonight in Ontario; give me the over. 

Bet: Over 6.5 (-118)

Edmonton Oilers (-102) @ Dallas Stars (-118) | O/U 6.5 (-108/-112)

The other marquee matchup tonight pits the Oilers against the Stars in a Western Conference showdown. The Oilers come into tonight's game second in the Pacific Division (95 points), while the Stars lead the Central with 103 points. This one's set for 9:30 p.m. ET from the American Airlines Center in Dallas. 

Like the Lightning/Maple Leafs clash, we have another contest featuring two of the best offenses in the game. The Stars are second in overall offense (3.6 GPG), while the Oilers are right below them at third (3.6 GPG). Edmonton ranks second in the NHL on the power play (29.29%), while Dallas is also in the top 10, coming in at eighth (23.98%). 

Furthermore, Dallas has been one of the league’s best "over teams" this season, going 42-33 to the over. They're 25-11 to the over at home. The Stars are riding a seven-game winning streak, averaging 4.1 goals per game during the stretch. I expect them to find success against Edmonton's defense, and the Oilers obviously have the offensive talent to keep pace in a high-scoring affair. Let's play the over. 

Bet: Over 6.5 (-108)

Vancouver Canucks (-155) @ Arizona Coyotes (+130) | O/U 6.0 (-122/+102)

The night concludes out west as the Coyotes host the Canucks. Vancouver's coming off a 6-3 loss to Vegas last night, while Arizona hasn't played since Saturday's 8-5 home loss to the New York Rangers. This NHL nightcap is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from the Mullet Arena in Tempe, Ariz. 

Vancouver's offense has cooled off a bit since their insane start to the season. They've dropped to seventh in overall offense, where they're scoring 3.4 goals per game. They're also just 12th on the power play, cashing 22.46% of their man-advantage opportunities. Over their last nine games (4-4-1), Vancouver's averaging just 2.8 goals per game. 

On the flip side, Arizona is 22nd in overall offense (3.0 GPG) and 15th on the power play (22.27%). It looks like Vancouver is shifting to playoff mode, where they want to start grinding out wins rather than trying to boat race everyone like earlier in the year. Last night's 6-3 loss was the only game in their last eight that has featured over six goals. I think the defense returns tonight against the mediocre Yotes’ offense. I'll play the under in Tempe. 

Bet: Under 6.0 (+102)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:

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