Wednesday is Hockey Night
Five NHL games dominate tonight's midweek sports betting menu
Sports fans and bettors will be focusing on hockey tonight, since the NBA's midseason break continues thru tomorrow.
In fact, the NHL's five games pretty much dominates the entire wagering menu for Wednesday.
Three games appear to be total mismatches based on the current odds. Two remaining games – both featuring Canadian teams – look to be far more competitive. But, so far as outcomes go, you never know in the NHL.
Here's the hockey menu, with odds, at Spreads.ca for Wednesday:
Winnipeg at Dallas (7:30 pm ET) is an intriguing matchup. The Stars are -145 favourites with the O/U at 5.5 goals. Dallas beat Winnipeg earlier this season 4-3. Both teams are relatively close in wins-losses, points, recent results, and goal differentials. Hence, taking the dog Jets at +125 looks to have some value.
In a contest of bottom feeders, Buffalo crosses the border to play in Montreal (7:30 pm ET). The game is essentially even, with the total at 6 goals. Buffalo seems to have the edge with the better overall season record and some advantages as a more consistent scoring team. However, the Canadiens are playing their best hockey in what's been a terrible season for them. Montreal has won three straight, while Buffalo is on a three-game slide. Given their recent form, and the Habs playing at home, Montreal is probably worth a look at even money.
In the first of three apparent mismatches, Colorado will skate into Detroit tonight (puck drop 7:30 pm ET). The Avalanche have the most wins of any NHL team (36) and play against a .500 team, but which has surpassed expectations. Colorado is obviously the far superior club, but not to the point of laying -270 at a road fave. Detroit returns +240, which is a good value for dog bettors. The Red Wings can beat good teams when things go right, so they're worth consideration in this spot.
Perhaps the very best game on the menu looks to be Edmonton playing at defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay (7:30 pm ET). Oddsmakers expect a scoring fest tonight with the game total listed at 6.5. The Lightning are -200 faves, which comes back at +175 for the Oilers. Edmonton might be getting disrespected at this number. Edmonton is 28-19-3 overall and 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. We like the price on the Oilers in this contest.
Way out west, Wednesday night's hockey action closes with the LA Kings playing in Phoenix to take on the Arizona Coyotes (10:00 pm ET). The Kings have very quietly become competitive in the Pacific and on a 6-2-2 roll should take care of business versus one of the NHL's worst team. Laying -200 is a heavy price, but we think it's justified here. So, we'll take the Kings. Also, consider Los Angeles on the puckline.
