Ryan Hodges
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Wednesday’s NHL slate is a modest 3 games, but what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in quality. Florida is chasing a playoff spot and will battle a very good Toronto team for an important 2 points. The Islanders also need to keep pace in the competitive Eastern Conference. Finally, the Avalanche and Wild are in an all-out battle to claim the top spot in the Central. Wednesday’s games all have playoff implications and should have a playoff feel. If you’re looking to combine a few plays that have value, check out this NHL mega parlay that has +927 odds with DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing.
Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs over 7 (-105)
New York Islanders ML & game total over 5.5 (+220)
Colorado Avalanche ML vs Minnesota Wild (-155)
NHL parlay odds: +927
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Florida Panthers vs Toronto Maple Leafs over 7 (-105)
This game has high total written all over it. Aside from the pure matchup, there is too much offensive talent in this game for there to not be a high total. Both the Panthers and Maple Leafs are in the top 8 in the NHL in goals scored per game. That strength could be neutralized if there was strong goal prevention on the ice. But only Toronto is strong defensively. Despite that strength, the Leafs have allowed 4+ goals in 5 of their last 9 games including 5+ goals in 2 of their last 4. These offensive powerhouses facing questionable or slumping defenses and goaltending is a great recipe for an over.
The Panthers and Maple Leafs have met twice this season in games that both went over the total. With 17 goals scored in those games, the average head-to-head game total has been 8.50. Those results reinforce each teams’ current trends which favor the over. The over has hit in 4 of Florida’s last 5 games, and in 9 of the Panthers’ last 12 on the road. Those numbers contribute to an over-under record of 41-27-6 on the Panthers’ season including 20-13-4 on the road. The total has also gone over in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games, and is 7-2-1 in the Leafs’ last 10. This one has all the makings of a 3rd consecutive head-to-head over.
Check out our best NHL predictions for each matchup on tonight’s 3-game slate
New York Islanders ML & game total over 5.5 (+220)
It has not been the most graceful fall in the standings for the Capitals in the second half of the season. Washington went 2-7-0 in February and is 5-5-2 in March. The Caps have 1 win in their last 5 games that came against a very weak Blackhawks team. They are 13-26-5 as an underdog this season, and cannot be relied on to get the job done right now. The Islanders are not exactly world-beaters, but they are a good team playing well enough. They are 4-1-1 in their last 6 games with a +12 goal differential during that span. If both teams hold to their recent play, this one could be all Islanders.
The Islanders typically struggle to score but excel in goal prevention. That combination of strengths and weaknesses typically bodes well for unders, and is a hallmark of the team. Despite that, the over has been rolling for them lately. The over has hit in 6 of their last 9 games, and in 4 of their last 5 on the road. Their offense is clicking and has a good matchup against the weak Capitals goal prevention. Washington has also seen high totals lately as the over has hit in 8 straight games, and in 5 of the last 6 at home. There is no indication that the over will cool off for these teams quite yet.
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Colorado Avalanche ML vs Minnesota Wild (-155)
These are a very valuable 2 points on the line as the Wild are atop the Central Division by just a point over the Avalanche with Colorado having a game in hand. In a game that could arguably be considered a must-win, or at least a small step down from it, the Avalanche have proved more often than not that they can get the job done. Colorado has been an elite team and legitimate contender for years while Minnesota has historically struggled to win the big ones. In a game between very good teams that are both playing well, the team with the pedigree is the more reliable play.
Aside from pedigree and clutch play, the Avalanche are all around in better form. Minnesota has played fantastic hockey in the last month, but Colorado has been even better. They have 9 wins in their last 10 games and have taken points in 11 of their last 13. They will also face a Wild team that has been a little beaten up lately. Minnesota lost superstar Kirrill Kaprizov indefinitely and while they have played great without him, it remains to be seen if that success without their star is sustainable. Other stalwarts John Klingberg, Gustav Nyquist and Ryan Reaves have also been banged up and they could miss time as well. Minnesota’s depth and toughness will really be tested in this game.
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