NHL Wednesday best bets: Kings to keep it close in Colorado

Our best bets Tuesday resulted in a disappointing split. The Los Angeles Kings took care of business for us in Chicago, but the Vegas Golden Knights couldn't get it done in Vancouver despite a 17-shot advantage.

We'll aim for better as we look at the best bets for Wednesday's three-game slate.

The league-leading Colorado Avalanche are at home to a Kings team that has dropped three of four and finds itself in the latter half of a road back-to-back. However, the value lies with Los Angeles in this game.

The Kings lost both prior meetings but don't let that fool you. They've played the Avalanche tough this season. L.A. had more chances in the first contest and then lost the expected goal battle 2.12-1.97 at five-on-five in the last game. Put another way, not much separated the two sides.

It's also encouraging to know the lineups will look much different this time around. Nazem Kadri isn't healthy for Colorado, and Viktor Arvidsson, Dustin Brown, and Matt Roy were just a few of the important pieces that didn't play in the previous game for the Kings. Those guys make Los Angeles a much better and deeper team.

I think the Kings can play the Avalanche tough at five-on-five, and their power play is where the potential separation can be found.

L.A. has been extremely dangerous on the man advantage, generating high-danger chances at a more efficient clip than every team in the league over the last 10 games. That could spell trouble for Colorado as it sits 29th in high-danger chances against over that same period. Those struggles are nothing new. The Avalanche rank dead last this season when it comes to preventing high-danger chances.

Yes, Colorado has fresh legs. Yes, it has more talent. But L.A. has some edges in this game that should allow it to keep things close.

Back the Kings on the puckline.

Bet: Kings +1.5 (-120)

Goals, goals, goals. That's what we should expect when the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets square off. In particular, we should see fireworks in the opening frame.

The Canadiens have given up shot attempts and shots on goal at a higher rate than every team in the league over the last 10 games. Their inability to suppress shots and chances naturally leads to a lot of goals against. Not to mention, they've been slow starters all season long.

Montreal has conceded 89 first-period goals through 73 contests. That's 1.22 goals against per first frame, which ranks dead last in the NHL.

The Blue Jackets haven't fared much better. They've given up 82 goals in the opening period this season. That's 1.12 goals against per first frame, and only the Canadiens and New Jersey Devils have allowed more.

With both teams consistently giving up goals early and snipers like Patrik Laine and Cole Caufield piling up shots, we have the necessary means for plenty of action.

Bet: 1st period over 1.5 (-155)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.