The trade deadline is quickly approaching and the NHL action is picking up. Wednesday night brings us a doubleheader on NBCSN. There will be hockey on from 5 p.m. ET to the conclusion of the 10 p.m. ET game, so settle in for seven-plus hours of hockey action.
I’ve been providing my Daily NHL Picks for every game here – bookmark that page so you don’t miss out –, but I wanted to dive into the best bets and give some analysis behind my picks on certain days. Today is another one of those days.
There are five games on the docket with a good mix of locks, underdogs, and toss-ups. Let’s get right into it.
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Edmonton Oilers at Ottawa Senators – 5 p.m. ET
Our first NBCSN game of the night brings us the high-flying Oilers against the lowly Senators. Let’s make this one quick and easy.
NHL Picks – Lock: Edmonton Oilers -190
The Oilers are the Oilers and the Senators are the Senators.
If that’s not enough to convince you, the Oilers have won all seven meetings this season by a combined score of 34-15. That’s an average score of 4.86 to 2.14 per game.
The Oilers are playing good hockey and don’t have trouble playing on short rest. They are coming off an overtime loss to Montreal, but they have lost back-to-back games just once in the past month.
Lock up the Oilers on the money line at -190 and take a look at the -1.5 puck line and to win in regulation as well.
Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs – 7:30 p.m. ET
The Maple Leafs are red-hot and will host an up-and-down Canadiens team tonight.
NHL Picks – Lock: Toronto Maple Leafs -145
The Maple Leafs aren’t as big of a favorite as I thought they might be in this spot. They have won four straight games – including three by 2+ goals – and are 6-0-1 in their last seven games.
The Canadiens, on the other hand, may be 4-1-0 in their last five games, but they’re just 5-3-2 in their last 10.
Toronto has won three of four meetings this season and they should keep it up tonight at home. The Canadiens have won just two games in their last seven tries in Toronto.
This is an absolute slam dunk if Jack Campbell is in net, and it’s still a Best Bet if Freddie Andersen starts.
Vegas Golden Knights at St. Louis Blues – 9 p.m. ET
A struggling St. Louis team hosts the Golden Knights
NHL Picks – Lock: Vegas Golden Knights -150
The Golden Knights absolutely took it to the Blues on Monday night with a final score of 6-1. In fact, Vegas had blown out the Blues in their last three meetings. They won 6-1 on Monday, 5-1 on March 22nd at home, and 5-1 on March 13th on the road.
The Blues are struggling mightily with seven straight losses, including two as huge favorites against the Ducks. They can’t seem to do anything right right now and the Golden Knights should be able to take advantage.
If the Golden Knights being on the road scares you off, they have won the last four meetings in St. Louis and the Blues are 4-9-4 at home this season. Smash Vegas.
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild – 9 p.m. ET
The Wild host the Avalanche in another interesting matchup. The two teams played a close game on Monday night.
NHL Picks: Value Pick – Minnesota Wild +160
I picked the Wild on Monday and they came up just short in a 5-4 final. I’m going right back to the well to see if they can pull it out tonight.
The Avalanche have won five games in a row and are 13-0-2 in their last 15 games. They have to lose sometime, right?
If the Avs are going to lose, the Wild might be the team to beat them. They lost by one goal on Monday and beat the Avalanche 4-3 in overtime in their only other meeting in Minnesota this season.
The Wild are +160 underdogs at home. They’re 13-4-0 at home this season. The Avalanche may flex their muscles, but that’s too good of value to pass up.
Arizona Coyotes at Los Angeles Kings – 10 p.m. ET
The Coyotes look to solidify themselves in a playoff spot as they take on LA again.
NHL Picks: Value Pick – Arizona Coyotes +100
The Coyotes are underdogs after beating the Kings 5-2 on Monday night. On top of that, the Coyotes have won three straight games, six of their last seven, and seven of their last nine. The only two losses in their last nine games came at the hands of the Avalanche.
The Kings are at the other end of the spectrum. They have lost three straight and six of their last seven. They’re at home, but they only have a 6-7-4 record at Staples Center. The Coyotes are at least 9-7-2 on the road.
Ride with the Coyotes tonight.
