Wednesday’s Best NHL Bets
By Covers.com
Nashville Predators at Boston Bruins (-215, 5.5)
Last week B’s coach Claude Julien told the press not to panic about his team’s slow start. He said a few tweaks to the lines should be enough to spark the group.
But after Chuck Kobasew was traded to the Wild and Milan Lucic landed on the injured reserve, Boston will have to make a few more moves to solidify its lineup.
“It’s always sad to see someone go, especially Chuckie, who was such a good guy,” Bruins center Patrice Bergeron told the Boston Herald. “It’s unfortunate that trade happened, but the whole team was not having the success we were hoping for. We are all kind of part of the blame for that trade, but it’s nothing we can control.”
The Preds should be the perfect opponent to grab an easy two points against. Nashville has dropped five straight and is without the services of No. 1 center Jason Arnott.
Pick: Bruins -215
Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks (-170, 5.5)
The road hasn’t treated the Canucks kindly this season. The West Coast club is 0-4 away from home ice following a 2-1 setback at Edmonton Monday night.
And Vancouver’s struggles aren’t isolated to its play outside GM Place. The club is 3-5 after the first eight games of the season. It couldn’t keep the puck out of its net to begin the campaign and now the team is getting good goaltending but little offense.
The Canucks have outshot their opponents 108-72 over the last three games, but have just one win and six goals of the stretch to show for themselves.
“It’s frustrating,” forward Ryan Kesler told the Vancouver Province following the loss to the Oilers. “It’s frustrating when you get over 40 shots in three of four road games and we’re still 0-4 on the road. We’re getting to that point when we are going to start thinking we have to stop going for quantity of shots, and start going for quality.”
Look for Kesler and crew to get seduced into playing the Blackhawks style of play, which should equal lots of scoring chances.
Pick: Over 5.5
Nashville Predators vs. Boston Bruins
The Nashville Predators and the Boston Bruins will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at TD Garden.
Shea Weber and J.P. Dumont had the markers for the Predators in their 3-2 shootout loss to the Capitals on Saturday night.
The Caps got the win as -250 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (6).
The Bruins were defeated 4-1 by the Coyotes last time out, as a -110 pick'em. The five goals went UNDER the night's posted over/under (5.5).
Mark Stuart replied for the Bruins, and Tim Thomas made 32 saves in a losing effort.
Current streak:
Nashville has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Nashville: 2-4-1
Boston: 3-4-0
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Washington are 4-4-1
After a loss are 3-7
Boston most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 5-5-2
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Nashville's last 11 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 7 games
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Boston's last 11 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home
Boston is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games at home
Next up:
Nashville at Ottawa, Thursday, October 22
Boston at Philadelphia, Thursday, October 22
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
The Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Nassau Coliseum.
Cam Ward made 27 saves in the Hurricanes' 2-0 loss to the Devils last time out, as +110 underdogs. The teams played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Matt Moulson had the lone Islanders tally in their 4-1 loss to the Sharks on Saturday night.
The Sharks were winners as -210 road favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
Current streak:
Carolina has lost 3 straight games.
New York has lost 6 straight games.
Team records:
Carolina: 2-4-1
New York: 0-3-3
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing New Jersey are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7
New York most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing San Jose are 5-5-1
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders
Carolina is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Islanders
Carolina is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Carolina's last 16 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of the NY Islanders last 16 games when playing at home against Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing at home against Carolina
Next up:
Carolina at Colorado, Friday, October 23
NY Islanders at Montreal, Thursday, October 22
Buffalo Sabres vs. Florida Panthers
The Buffalo Sabres and the Florida Panthers will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at BankAtlantic Center.
The Sabres were doubled 4-2 by the Thrashers last time out, as -155 favorites. The six goals went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (6).
Clarke MacArthur and Drew Stafford scored in that loss.
Radek Dvorak scored shorthanded in the third period on Friday, as the Panthers doubled the Flyers 4-2. The Panthers won that game as +140 underodgs, while the six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton, and Steve Reinprecht added singles.
Team records:
Buffalo: 4-1-1
Florida: 2-4-0
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
Florida most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing NY Rangers are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Buffalo is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Florida
Buffalo is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Buffalo's last 12 games when playing on the road against Florida
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Florida's last 12 games when playing at home against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Florida's last 25 games when playing Buffalo
Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Next up:
Buffalo at Tampa Bay, Saturday, October 24
Florida at Pittsburgh, Friday, October 23
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Wednesday when the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild meet at Xcel Energy Center.
Cody McLeod scored twice in regulation time on Saturday night as the Avalanche eventually picked up a 4-3 shootout win over the Red Wings.
The Avs pulled out the win as +165 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).
The Wild were defeated 2-1 by the Canucks on Saturday, as +160 underdogs. The three goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Mikko Koivu scored for the Wild, and Niklas Backstrom stopped 37 shots in the loss.
Current streak:
Colorado has won 4 straight games.
Minnesota has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Colorado: 6-1-1
Minnesota: 1-6-0
Colorado most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Buffalo are 8-8-1
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing Vancouver are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 7 games when playing Minnesota
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Colorado's last 16 games
Minnesota is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing Colorado
Minnesota is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games at home
Next up:
Colorado home to Carolina, Friday, October 23
Minnesota at St. Louis, Friday, October 23
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at United Center.
Steve Bernier scored the only marker for Vancouver in its 2-1 loss to Edmonton on Monday night.
Edmonton won as -120 home favorites, while the teams played UNDER the 5.5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
The Blackhawks fell 4-3 to the Stars last time out, as -190 favorites at home. That game's seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Troy Brouwer, Jonathan Toews, and Niklas Hjalmarsson scored the Blackhawks.
Team records:
Vancouver: 3-5-0
Chicago: 5-2-1
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Edmonton are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 1-7-2
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Vancouver's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Vancouver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Vancouver is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Vancouver home to Toronto, Saturday, October 24
Chicago home to Nashville, Saturday, October 24
Dallas Stars vs. Anaheim Ducks
The division rival Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks are set to renew hostilities on Wednesday when they meet at Honda Center.
Jamie Benn potted the lone goal for Dallas in its 4-1 loss to Los Angeles on Monday night.
Los Angeles cashed as +125 road underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 5.5-goal total posted by sportsbooks.
The Ducks were defeated 5-0 by the Blues last time out, as -140 favorites. The teams played UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Jonas Hiller was pulled after giving up three goals on 12 shots.
Team records:
Dallas: 3-2-3
Anaheim: 3-3-1
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing Los Angeles are 2-8
After playing Los Angeles are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Columbus are 3-7
After playing St. Louis are 3-7
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas at Los Angeles, Thursday, October 22
Anaheim home to Columbus, Saturday, October 24
NASHVILLE (2-4-0-1, 5 pts.) at BOSTON (3-4-0-0, 6 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 20-4 ATS (+13.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 31-13 ATS (+9.3 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 120-110 ATS (-36.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 1-1 (+0.3 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 1-1-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.0 Units)
CAROLINA (2-4-0-1, 5 pts.) at NY ISLANDERS (0-4-0-2, 2 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 14-7 ATS (+21.8 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
NY ISLANDERS are 80-129 ATS (+242.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
NY ISLANDERS are 45-87 ATS (-46.5 Units) in home games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
NY ISLANDERS are 35-57 ATS (-23.2 Units) in home games after a non-conference game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 6-2 (+2.6 Units) against the spread versus NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 6-2-0 straight up against NY ISLANDERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.6 Units)
BUFFALO (4-2-0-0, 8 pts.) at FLORIDA (2-4-0-0, 4 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 154-106 ATS (+30.1 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
BUFFALO is 33-20 ATS (+55.2 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
FLORIDA is 100-114 ATS (+227.2 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5.5 since 1996.
FLORIDA is 85-126 ATS (-92.9 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BUFFALO is 6-2 (+3.3 Units) against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
BUFFALO is 6-2-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.9 Units)
COLORADO (6-1-0-1, 13 pts.) at MINNESOTA (1-6-0-0, 2 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 11-9 (+1.6 Units) against the spread versus COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 11-9-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
10 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+6.0 Units)
VANCOUVER (3-5-0-0, 6 pts.) at CHICAGO (5-2-0-1, 11 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 117-127 ATS (+282.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
CHICAGO is 190-233 ATS (+483.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
CHICAGO is 97-122 ATS (-55.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in the first half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 7-7-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.8 Units)
DALLAS (3-2-0-3, 9 pts.) at ANAHEIM (3-4-0-0, 6 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 12-8 (+5.0 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 12-8-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+2.6 Units)
CAROLINA vs. NY ISLANDERS
Carolina is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Islanders
NY Islanders are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing Carolina
NASHVILLE vs. BOSTON
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Nashville's last 11 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games at home
BUFFALO vs. FLORIDA
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Buffalo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida
Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Florida's last 12 games when playing at home against Buffalo
COLORADO vs. MINNESOTA
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing Colorado
VANCOUVER vs. CHICAGO
Vancouver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
DALLAS vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Dallas is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 5 games
Hot Teams
-- Bruins are 3-0 this season in game following a loss.
-- Sabres won four of their last five games.
-- Colorado won its last four games, allowing nine goals.
-- Blackhawks won four of their last five games.
-- Dallas Stars are 3-1 in game following a loss this year.
Cold Teams
-- Predators lost their last five games, scoring four goals.
-- Carolina lost its last three games, scoring four goals. Islanders are 0-6 with three OT losses- they scored five goals in last three games.
-- Panthers lost four of their last five games.
-- Minnesota lost its last five games, scoring ten goals.
-- Canucks are 0-4 on the road, outscored 15-7.
-- Ducks lost two of their three home games.
Series Records
-- Home side won last three Nashville-Boston games.
-- Carolina was 4-0 vs Islanders LY, winning last game 9-0.
-- Sabres won five of their last six games against Florida.
-- Avalanche lost eight of last 11 visits to Minnesota.
-- Blackhawks eliminated Vancouver in six games in LY's playoffs.
-- Dallas is 6-4 in its last ten visits to Anaheim.
Totals
-- Five of seven Nashville games stayed under the total.
-- Last five Carolina-Islander games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in Sabres's last eight visits to Miami.
-- Four of last six Minnesota games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Chicago games went over the total.
-- Five of seven Dallas games went over the total; last four Anaheim tilts stayed under.