The NHL’s season-opening week continues Wednesday night with five regular season games on the card. Here are our best picks from NHL betting sites in America.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens
- Time: 7:08 p.m. ET
- Money Line/Spread: Toronto (-185/-1.5 (+130)), Montreal (+150/+1.5 (+155))
- Total: 6.5 (over -115/under -105)
- Pick: TOR
An “Original Six” matchup – the 847th edition to be exact – opens the season north of the border as the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the Montreal Canadiens. Toronto is a big favorite on most US betting apps and for good reason.
The NHL’s leading goal scorer last season, Auston Matthews (69 goals, 38 assists) returns to the ice against Montreal, whom he tallied four scores against last year. During Matthews’ tenure in Toronto, the Leafs have recorded an impressive 6-1-1 record to open a season and a solid 4-1-0 record when opening against their biggest rival.
With Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly and John Tavares all back in the fold to support Matthews, Toronto should be an early-season contender again under new head coach Craig Berube. Goaltender Joseph Woll will be in net this season, coming off a 12-11-1 record and giving up less than three scores per game when he plays. The problem is will they show up when it counts in the playoffs and erase many years of disappointment.
Center Nick Suzuki returns as Montreal’s leading goal scorer (33 goals, 44 assists, 77 points) and needs to have support around him. They might have that with Cole Caufield, Mike Matheson, and Juraj Slafkovsky all returning. Goalie Sam Montembeault will be the team’s netminder, where he allowed 3.14 goals per game last season.
New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins
- Time: 7:38 p.m. ET
- Money Line/Spread: New York (-140/-1.5 (+170)), Pittsburgh (+115/+1.5 (-210))
- Total: 6 (over -115/under -105)
- Pick: NYR
The New York Rangers will attempt to start another run to a Stanley Cup as they open their season on the road against rival and Metropolitan Division foe, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
All trends for tonight’s game are leaning toward either side depending on who you root for. The Rangers are 12-6 in their last 18 games dating back to last season, are 10-4 in their final 14 games on the road and are a solid 4-1 against the Penguins in their last five games.
Aretemi Panarin (49 goals, 71 assists, 120 points), Chris Kreider (39 goals, 36 assists) and Vincent Trocheck (25 goals, 52 assists, 77 points) all return to provide an explosive offense for New York. It doesn’t hurt to have goalie Igor Shesterkin (36-17-2) back in net as he made 1,465 saves and had a goals against average of 2.6 last season (91.2% save percentage).
Pittsburgh is 8-4 in their last 12 games dating back to last season, is a stellar 6-1 in their last seven games at home and are 9-4 in their last 13 games when hosting New York.
Sidney Crosby (42 goals, 52 assists, 94 points in 82 games played), along with Evgeni Malkin (27 goals, 40 assists, 67 points) always provide a formidable offensive duo for Pittsburgh.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks
- Time: 10:08 p.m. ET
- Money Line/Spread: Vancouver (-200/-1.5 (+120)), Calgary (+165/+1.5 (-145))
- Total: 6 (over -115/under -105)
- Pick: VAN
The Calgary Flames will visit the Vancouver Canucks in a Pacific Division matchup tonight where hockey fans on the East Coast always want to see but can never stay up for.
Last season, the Canucks had a 3-1 record against the Flames, going 2-0 at home and outscoring Calgary, 8-3, in both of those home wins and US betting sites see Canucks as the favorites for this one too.
Vancouver averaged 3.4 goals per game last season (sixth in the league) and it helps when Jonathan Tanner Miller (103 points in 81 games played), Quinn Hughes (17 goals, 75 assists, 92 points) and Elias Pettersson (34 goals, 55 assists, 82 games played) all return. Goaltender Thatcher Demko tallied 1,369 saves and had a record of 35-14-2 with 2.45 goals against average last season.
Calgary is looking to improve offensively, ranked 18th in the league last season. Nazem Kadri (29 goals, 46 assists), Yegor Sharangovich (31 goals, 28 assists, 59 points) and Blake Coleman (30 goals, 24 assists) all had solid seasons last year, but will have to do more. Goaltender Daniel Vladar (8-9-2 last season) must be better in net after an .882 save percentage (61st in the league).
Winnipeg Jets at Edmonton Oilers
- Time: 10:08 p.m. ET
- Money Line/Spread: Edmonton (-165/-1.5 (+145)), Winnipeg (+140/+1.5 (-175))
- Total: 6.5 (over +100/under -120)
- Pick: EDM
All eyes will be on Edmonton as the Oilers open up against the Winnipeg Jets. The Stanley Cup runner-up is looking for redemption after last year’s roller-coaster best-of-seven series against the eventual champion Florida Panthers. With the Panthers holding a commanding 3-0 lead, the Oilers fought all the way back to win three straight games to force a Game 7 on the road.
Connor McDavid, the league’s MVP last season, tallied 32 goals and 100 assists for 132 points and will be playing with a chip on his shoulder. Leon Draisaitl (41 goals, 65 assists, 106 points) was a major contributor to last season’s success.
The Jets only gave up 2.4 goals per game (198 total) for the best defense in the league last season. Mark Scheifele (25 goals, 47 assists) and Nikolaj Ehlers (25 goals, 36 assists) lead the Jets offense. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37-19-4) had a .921 save percentage for the fifth best in the league.
Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights
- Time: 10:08 p.m. ET
- Money Line/Spread: Vegas (-110/-1.5 (+220)), Colorado (-110/+1.5 (-275))
- Total: 6.5 (over +100/under -120)
- Pick: COL
Two of the three last Stanley Cup champions open their season Wednesday night as the 2022 champion Colorado Avalanche meet the 2023 champion Vegas Golden Knights.
Jack Eichel (31 goals, 37 assists, 63 games played) is looking to lead Vegas one again and have a full season under his belt. William Karlsson (30 goals, 30 assists) and Mark Stone (16 goals, 37 assists) will look to contribute a bit more. Goalie Ilya Samsonov (23-7-8) posted 967 saves and gave up 120 goals (3.13 GAA) last season.
Nathan MacKinnon (51 goals, 89 assists, 140 points) leads Colorado’s offense. Mikko Rantanen (42 goals, 62 assists) and Cale Makar (21 goals, 69 assists) complete the Avalanche’s scoring trio. Goalie Alexandar Georgiev (38-18-5) posted a three goals per game average (89.7 save %).
