NHL Picks: Where Can You Find Value in Today's Games?

Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators

The Sabres and Senators are bad. How bad? They occupy the bottom two spots of the Atlantic Division, and deservedly so. Both teams possess a below-average defence but can be potent offensively. 

Now, the likely question is, who starts for both teams? It looks like Eric Comrie for Buffalo and Anton Forsberg for Ottawa. Keep in mind that the Sabres are on the second game of a back-to-back. Expect the Senators to be able to take advantage of that tonight.

Could both teams score a fair share of goals on Wednesday night? It is possible, as Buffalo scored four in their first meeting in October. Ottawa fired 35+ shots in that loss but just had zero luck.

The Senators have angered Canadian sports bettors all season. Despite its record, Ottawa is 9-6 against the spread. Buffalo is only 7-9, by the way, and has lost six consecutive games.

Ottawa’s puckline (2.53) is even troubling. The Over of 6.5 at 1.80 is something to look at if the number stays there or creeps up to 1.85. Does one believe Ottawa can win this game by two or more goals? That is where the potential value is.

Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers

This is special for Canadian sports bettors today. It is featured on TSN Edge, but it has top billing. Los Angeles and Edmonton are suffering from team defences and goaltending that cannot keep the puck out of the net. However, both teams are incredibly entertaining from an offensive perspective.

Los Angeles expects to start Jonathan Quick, even after giving up six goals to Calgary on Monday night. This is because Cal Petersen cannot be trusted in a big or even more prominent spot. Edmonton’s offence runs through Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, their defence resembles that of soggy poutine. It is not very good. 

There are some question marks when looking at tonight’s contest. One is that the Over 6.5 goals is at 1.78. If that goes up to 7.0, then pass. Edmonton or Los Angeles, in regulation, is not an easy bet here. Both teams can win at home or on the road because of their offences. Their penalty kill and team defence again rank in the bottom third of the NHL. 

The Edmonton Moneyline stands at 1.63. That number is the worst of all three favourites tonight. Why? With Los Angeles on this Canadian prairie road trip, the Oilers should have more of an advantage. That said, it still does not present the value of the Puckline.

Have you seen the other game? St. Louis and Chicago play on Wednesday. The Blues have won two straight and look to be getting back on track. Both teams do not score a lot, so tilting toward the Under will be a likely move. Does one go further and look at Chicago scoring two goals or less? 

Some Picks And More To Chew On

• Ottawa and Buffalo Over 6.5 goals at 1.80 (do not bet at 1.79 or worse)
• Ottawa Puckline - 2.53
• Edmonton Puckline - 2.55

Good luck, and once again, thanks for reading! We will have a few more plays on social media as conditions warrant.

All odds today come from BetMGM.