NHL Picks – Wednesday Rundown
Florida Panthers @ Buffalo Sabres
The Panthers’ online betting odds to make the playoffs are pretty short right now, as they’ve lost three straight, and David Booth is out with another concussion. The Sabres may rest Ryan Miller a bit down the stretch as they’ve already wrapped a playoff spot, although they’re still looking to win their division. The Panthers won 6-2 in Buffalo on November 18th to snap a three-game skid in upstate New York, and you can bet the Sabres remember that.
Pick: Buffalo SabresCarolina Hurricanes @ Montreal Canadiens
The Hurricanes continue a three-game road trip in Montreal, where they’ve won three of their last five. The Canadiens are building some steam heading into the playoffs with six wins in their last 10 games, and it looks like Jaroslav Halak will be the man heading into the playoffs. With three of their next four on the road, look for Montreal to play with urgency on Wednesday.
Pick: Montreal CanadiensTampa Bay Lightning @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins have won two in a row and will definitely be the NHL betting favorite in this one, but if for no other reason, you have to tune in to watch the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby and the Lightning’s Steven Stamkos, who is two goals behind Crosby’s 45 markers in the race for the Rocket Richard trophy. But Tampa Bay has lost three of their last four in Pittsburgh, so I wouldn’t bet on them.
Pick: Pittsburgh PenguinsChicago Blackhawks @ Minnesota Wild
The Wild may just be the quietest team in the NHL, but they’re up for a sportsbook win on Wednesday against a slumping Chicago team that has lost two in a row, are missing two of their top three defensemen, and they still don’t really have a true No.1 goalie. They’re still one of the Stanley Cup betting favorites, but the Blackhawks need to pick it up. Minnesota is also brilliant at home.
Pick: Minnesota WildSan Jose Sharks @ Dallas Stars
On the other hand, the Sharks have won four in a row and have won four of their last five in Dallas, who went 2-4 in a recent six-game homestand. They’ll be returning home after a four-game road trip, but the Sharks are on fire right now.
Pick: San Jose SharksAnaheim Ducks @ Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche will definitely be favored in your sportsbook with a good home record, while Anaheim is banged up and are out of the playoff picture, so motivation isn’t huge for them. The Avalanche are battling with Calgary for the last playoff spot in the West, and they’ll be checking the injury report to see if Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller has recovered from back spasms. If he hasn’t, it’s an easier job.
Pick: Colorado AvalanchePhoenix Coyotes vs Calgary Flames
Is that the Phoenix Coyotes with 100 points? What’s going on? However, they could be in for a bit of a hangover as they’ve lost two of three since a nine-game winning streak (note: nine of those wins came in the shootout). The Flames are fighting for the lives, and they’re in for a close game: three of the last five meetings between these two in Calgary have been decided by a goal (the other two were two-goal margins). The only worry for sports betting players here is if Calgary looks ahead to their massive game in Coloardo on Friday night. The Red Mile will be loud on Wednesday.
Pick: Calgary Flames
