The NHL odds board tonight has betting options for three games, including a TNT doubleheader.
Our hockey expert Nick Martin has made two predictions from Wednesday's most compelling matchup, which features the defending champion Golden Knights visiting Edmonton for a potential playoff preview.
Let's dive into his top NHL best bets tonight.
Golden Knights vs Oilers
| Golden Knights Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +210 | 6.5 108o / -132u | -115 |
| Oilers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -260 | 6.5 108o / -132u | -104 |
Connor McDavid was at today's morning skate, and it now sounds surprisingly possible that he'll play in this matchup. He's considered a true game-time decision.
The final decision on whether or not McDavid plays obviously holds lot of significance from a handicapping perspective, and unfortunately, it's a make-or-break factor in one of the three plays I like from this matchup.
Whether McDavid plays or not, I'm still happy to back Jack Eichel to record over 3.5 shots on goal at -138 (FanDuel), and I would bet anything better than -143.
It was a trendy take after Vegas won the cup last year to point out that it won without a true superstar, since no skater had more than 66 points, which frankly is quite wild.
Whenever Eichel has been in the Knights' lineup, he's played like a dominant No. 1 center that can go head-to-head with anybody in the league and achieve reasonable results.
He was dominant versus the Oilers last postseason, as he tallied nine points in a six-game series.
It feels like Eichel's recent play still isn't getting talked about enough. He's put up 18 points over the last 14 games and has been the most dominant player on the ice in a number of important wins that solidified a playoff berth for his side.
Since returning to the lineup, Eichel has averaged 5.23 shots on goal, going over a total of 3.5 in 13 of those contests. Not too many shooters earn a juiced total of 3.5 versus a solid defensive side like Edmonton, but in Eichel's case, I still don't think oddsmakers have moved this prop enough.
My second play from this potential first-round preview is backing the game to go under 6.5 at -124 (FanDuel). If McDavid is in the lineup, I would stop right at -124, and if he's set to miss the game, I would play it down to -130.
Both of these teams rank top-five in terms of xGA/60 over the last 10 games.
It's no surprise to see the Golden Knights trend towards elite defensive results, given what we know about this team. They're clearly fully engaged with the postseason just around the corner and have finally enjoyed playing with a much healthier roster.
Even with Alex Pietrangelo on the sidelines, the Knights possess a physical, mobile defensive core that can still handle the opposition's forecheck better than the majority of the league.
The Knights aren't generating a ton of chances at the other end, though. They've played to a 3.14 xGF/60 over the last 10 games, which ranks 22nd in the league.
The Knights proved last season that their offenses is undervalued in public expected goals data, but it's still clear their greatest current strength is their defensive upside.
The Oilers' even-strength defensive play has been considerably improved all season long, and that improvement is a key reason fans and bettors now respect them as a legitimate cup favorite.
Edmonton's offensive upside obviously takes a huge hit if McDavid is sidelined, which is why I would take slightly worse numbers if he's out.
