Top NHL Picks and Predictions Today (Back Lightning, Avalanche, Jets on Wednesday)
Looking to get in on the action in the NHL on Wednesday night?
BetSided's Matt De Saro has you covered with three picks using the odds via WynnBET for tonight's slate in hockey:
Winnipeg Jets vs. Dallas Stars Prediction and Pick
While the Avalanche and Blues are locked in battle atop the division, the Jets and Stars are jockeying for position in the middle of the pack. The teams are separated by four points with the Stars fifth in the Central behind Nashville. Both teams are also riding modest two-game winning streaks heading into Wednesday night.
Another thing these two teams share is high-quality talent between the pipes. Jake Oettinger is expected to start for Dallas and Connor Hellebuyck gets the nod for Winnipeg. Oettinger gets the edge here though with a .921 save percentage on the year and allowing just two goals in his last two starts combined. However, both are very capable at what they do.
While the stats have me leaning towards the Stars, Dallas has not been very good against the spread this season at just 20-32 ATS. At home, they are 12-15 ATS and are losing games by an average of -0.79 goals. Winnipeg has looked stronger over the last week and put together some nice wins over the Golden Knights and Coyotes. I'll take a chance that their strong play continues tonight in a game they need to win if they hope to make up ground in the Central.
Lean: Jets +125 to win -- Matt De Saro
Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Detroit Red Wings Prediction and Pick
The only way the Red Wings can win this game is by keeping the Avalanche's potent offense at bay. Because they have a poor offense, they can’t rely on scoring to get them on the right end of this game. They have to try to do it on defense, but unfortunately, their defense is only slightly better than their offense. Essentially, they'll need to have to have the best game of their season to win this one pending a total collapse from Colorado.
The Red Wings average just 29.1 shots on goal per game and do not create enough high-danger situations to be much of a threat. On defense, they are the seventh most scored-upon team in the league and allow nearly 33 shots against per game. The Avalanche are one of the best scoring teams in the NHL and average 3.04 goals per 60 minutes. This means the Red Wings can not allow 33 shots tonight or they are going to get slaughtered. Colorado will also have their best goalie in Darcy Kuemper between the pipes tonight to keep in check what little offense trickles through.
This won't end well for Detroit.
Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (-140) -- Matt De Saro
Edmonton Oilers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction and Pick
Edmonton’s crushing loss to a good Minnesota team reminded me that the Oilers are not a very good team. While beating bad teams is important, you have to beat the good ones too and the Oilers haven’t shown the ability to do that on a regular basis. Their goaltending can't hang with the league's best shooters and are the 22nd worst scoring defense in the NHL. They do alright on offense but are constantly let down by their defense and poor play between the pipes with a save percentage of .898.
Tampa Bay, on the other hand, is loaded top to bottom with talent and is the sixth-best scoring defense in the NHL and allows the sixth least goals per game on average at 2.53. They also have a Venezia winner holding it down in goal who is never an easy matchup for opposing teams. I think the Lightning are ready to get back to business on their home ice and will come out to a hot start in this one.
Lean: Lightning -1.5 (+115) -- Matt De Saro