Wednesday's Best NHL Bets
By Covers.com
Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers (-165, 5.5)
The Kings have won four in a row, and their top line is a big reason why.
Ryan Smyth, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams have combined for nine goals and 14 assists in Los Angeles' first five games.
The Kings have won the first two games of their six-game raod trip by 2-1 scores, getting strong goaltending from Jonathan Quick. But his job has been made easier by the top line, which has scored the first goal in both games.
The line also has accounted for five of Los Angeles' seven power-play goals.
Kopitar has a goal and two assists in LA's last two meetings with New York.
Pick: Los Angeles
Pittsburgh Penguins at Carolina Panthers (+111, 6)
When you have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on your roster, you have a lot of options.
While most coaches set their lines and stay with them unless there is an injury or a major slump, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma has been experimenting with multiple players alongside his two stars, something even he did not do last season.
Ten different Penguins skated alongside Crosby in Saturday's triumph at Toronto, including Malkin, who also has been playing a bit with Jordan Staal, who usually skates on the third line.
"It's good to know everyone's game, and I think it can probably make us harder to defend at times," Staal told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Whatever Bylsma is doing, it's working. The Penguins are 3-0 on their four-game road trip, collecting 14 goals.
This is the first meeting between the clubs since the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, when Pittsburgh swept Carolina, outscoring the Hurricanes, 20-9.
Pick: Pittsburgh
LOS ANGELES (4-1-0-0, 8 pts.) at NY RANGERS (5-1-0-0, 10 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 91-135 ATS (-49.5 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
LOS ANGELES is 53-54 ATS (+129.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 60-68 ATS (-39.0 Units) in home games after a win by 2 goals or more since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 66-84 ATS (-72.9 Units) in home games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game since 1996.
NY RANGERS are 21-33 ATS (-34.0 Units) in home games after a 3 game unbeaten streak since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 1-1 (+0.7 Units) against the spread versus NY RANGERS over the last 3 seasons
NY RANGERS is 1-1-0 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+0.0 Units)
PITTSBURGH (5-1-0-0, 10 pts.) at CAROLINA (2-3-0-0, 4 pts.)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 8-4 (+3.4 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 8-4-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.7 Units)
NASHVILLE (2-2-0-0, 4 pts.) at DALLAS (1-0-0-3, 5 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 58-55 ATS (+131.6 Units) in road games after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 6-3 (+3.9 Units) against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
NASHVILLE is 6-3-0 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.1 Units)
EDMONTON (3-1-0-1, 7 pts.) at CHICAGO (3-1-0-1, 7 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 45-26 ATS (+16.1 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 4-4 (+1.2 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-4-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.9 Units)
MINNESOTA (1-3-0-0, 2 pts.) at ANAHEIM (2-3-0-0, 4 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 124-107 ATS (+5.9 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-3 (+3.4 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 6-3-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.7 Units)
LOS ANGELES vs. NY RANGERS
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 6 games
NY Rangers are 2-3-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
PITTSBURGH vs. CAROLINA
Pittsburgh is 5-9-2 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Carolina
Pittsburgh is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Carolina is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
EDMONTON vs. CHICAGO
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Edmonton's last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago's last 12 games
Chicago is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
NASHVILLE vs. DALLAS
Nashville is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Nashville
MINNESOTA vs. ANAHEIM
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Hot Teams
-- Kings won their last four games, allowing nine goals. Rangers also won their last four games, scoring 19 goals.
-- Penguins won five of their first six games.
-- Blackhawks won three of last four games, last two in SO/OT. Oilers won three of their last four games, too.
Cold Teams
-- Carolina lost its two road games, 7-2/5-2.
-- Dallas Stars lost three of their first four games. Predators lost last two games, scoring a single goal.
-- Ducks lost three of their first five games. Minnesota lost three of its first four games.
Series Records
-- Kings won two of last three games against the Rangers.
-- Penguins swept Carolina four straight in playoffs last spring.
-- Home side won all four Dallas-Nashville games last year.
-- Oilers lost five of last seven visits to Chicago.
-- Minnesota won its last three games against Anaheim.
Totals
-- Three of last four Ranger games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Carolina games went over the total.
-- Last three Dallas games went over the total.
-- Four of first five Edmonton games went over the total.
-- Last three Minnesota games went over the total.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers
The Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Madison Square Garden.
Drew Doughty's goal early in the third period proved to be the winner, as the Kings edged the Islanders 2-1 on Monday.
Los Angeles cashed as a -110 road favorite, while the game played UNDER the 5.5-goal total listed by oddsmakers.
Wade Redden had a goal and two assists, as the Rangers pounded the Maple Leafs 7-2 on Monday night.
New York won as -210 home favorites, while the teams played OVER the 6-run total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 4 straight games.
New York has won 5 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 4-1-0
New York: 5-1-0
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing NY Islanders are 5-5-1
After a win are 5-5
New York most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Florida are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 3-7
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games on the road
Los Angeles is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Rangers
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Los Angeles's last 18 games
NY Rangers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Rangers last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the NY Rangers last 11 games at home
Next up:
Los Angeles at Detroit, Thursday, October 15
NY Rangers at Toronto, Saturday, October 17
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at RBC Center.
Tyler Kennedy scored two goals, including the eventual winner in the second period to lead the Penguins past the Senators 4-1 on Monday night.
Pittsburgh cashed as -115 road favorites, while the teams played UNDER the 6-goal total set by sportsbooks.
The Hurricanes lost 5-2 to the Lightning on Saturday, as +110 underdogs. That game's seven goals made it OVER the posted over/under (6).
Eric Staal and Rod Brind'Amour replied for the Hurricanes. Cam Ward made 34 saves in the loss.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 5-1-0
Carolina: 2-3-0
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Ottawa are 7-3
After playing Ottawa are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
Carolina most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Tampa Bay are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 9 games on the road
Carolina is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina's last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Carolina is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Carolina is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Tampa Bay, Saturday, October 17
Carolina at New Jersey, Saturday, October 17
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The fans at United Center will be treated to a game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks when they take their seats on Wednesday.
Zack Stortini scored a pair of goals, as the Oilers ripped the Predators 6-1 on Monday night.
Edmonton won as +120 road underdogs, while the game played OVER the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Brent Seabrook potted the winning goal in overtime to lift the Blackhawks past the Flames 6-5 on Monday night.
Chicago won as -170 home favorites, while the game played OVER the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Edmonton has won 2 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Edmonton: 3-1-1
Chicago: 3-1-1
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Nashville are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing Calgary are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Edmonton's last 13 games on the road
Edmonton is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
Chicago is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chicago's last 12 games
Next up:
Edmonton home to Minnesota, Friday, October 16
Chicago at Nashville, Thursday, October 15
Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars
The Nashville Predators and the Dallas Stars will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at American Airlines Center.
Jason Arnott potted the lone marker for Nashville in its 6-1 loss to Edmonton on Monday night.
Edmonton won as +120 road underdogs, while the game played OVER the 5.5-goal total listed by sportsbooks.
The Stars lost to Vancouver 4-3 in a shootout as a +125 underdog on Sunday. The seven goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Brad Richards and Mike Ribeiro each had a goal and an assist for Dallas, while Brenden Morrow had two assists in the loss.
Current streak:
Nashville has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Nashville: 2-2-0
Dallas: 1-0-3
Nashville most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 8-2
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Edmonton are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Los Angeles are 2-8
After playing Vancouver are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Nashville's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Nashville is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Nashville's last 21 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
Dallas is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Nashville
Next up:
Nashville home to Chicago, Thursday, October 15
Dallas home to Boston, Friday, October 16
Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks
The Minnesota Wild and the Anaheim Ducks will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Honda Center.
The Wild were doubled 4-2 by the Sharks last time out, as +170 underdogs. The game's six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5).
Andrew Brunette and Owen Nolan scored for the Wild.
The Ducks lost to the Rangers 3-0 as a +120 underdog on Sunday. The three goals scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 35 saves for the Ducks in the loss.
Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 1-3-0
Anaheim: 2-2-1
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Florida are 4-4-2
After playing San Jose are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing St. Louis are 5-5
After playing NY Rangers are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Anaheim
Minnesota is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Anaheim is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim's last 6 games at home
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Anaheim is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at Edmonton, Friday, October 16
Anaheim home to St. Louis, Saturday, October 17
Tips and Trends
Minnesota Wild at Anaheim Ducks
Wild: The Wild beat the Ducks, 4-3, at home in overtime eight days ago rallying from a three-goal deficit. But Minnesota has lost all three of its away games and have a number of banged-up players. Left winger Petr Sykora is doubtful with a sore groin. Center Pierre-Marc Bouchard is out with a concussion. Winger Cal Clutterbuck, last year’s NHL hits leader, is out, too, with an ankle injury suffered during a 4-2 loss on Saturday to San Jose. Youngsters James Sheppard and Benoit Pouliot are expected to see more ice time because of the injuries. Team enforcer Derek Boogaard also should see his first ice time having been out with a concussion since Sept. 18. The Wild have dropped four of their last five road contests. Goalie Niklas Backstrom is 4-2 with a 1.99 GAA in six starts versus Anaheim. The over is 5-2-1 in the teams’ last eight meetings.
The Over is 6-1-2 in the Wild’s last nine games versus Pacific Division opponents.
Key Injuries - Petr Sykora (groin) is doubtful.
Cal Clutterbuck (ankle) is out.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard (concussion) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 2
Ducks (-$1.65, O/U 5.5): The Ducks have defeated the Wild 11 of the past 15 times at home, but have lost during the past three overall meetings. This is Anaheim’s first home game since returning from a 2-1-1 four-game road trip. This is just the Ducks’ second home contest of the season. The Ducks lost in their last game, 3-0, to the Rangers on Sunday. That ended their 12-game road-point streak where they went 9-0-3. The Ducks, 2-2-1 on the season, were in a tough situational spot against the Rangers having met the Flyers in Philadelphia on Saturday. The Ducks beat the Flyers, 3-2, in a shootout. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 1-3-1 with a 3.61 goals-against average in his last five starts versus Minnesota. The Ducks have dropped five of their last six games against Western Conference competition. The under is 4-1-1 in Anaheim’s past six games at the Honda Center.
The home team is 20-7-1 in the last 28 meetings between the two clubs.
Key Injuries - Todd Marchant is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 3 (UNDER - Total of the Day)