NHL Wednesday betting preview: Where to expect goals

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We're coming off our first losing night in a while after finishing 1-2 on Tuesday, though we hit on our best bet and also our trend of the night, which would have taken you to 2-2 if you followed (I didn't).

Let's return to winning ways on Wednesday.

GOATs and scapegoats

Andrei Svechnikov is the gift that keeps on giving. We've backed the Carolina Hurricanes several times in this space, and he's produced some big goals for us. Last night was no different, with Svechnikov potting the game-winner in Nashville.

He came through on Tuesday, unlike the Toronto Maple Leafs' or Buffalo Sabres' defense.

Wednesday bets

New York Rangers/Chicago Blackhawks under 6.5 (-110)

This is an awfully high total that's based more off of both team's perceived style and not actual results. The Rangers have won five straight on the road, allowing just seven goals over those games. They're playing great outside of New York, and the Blackhawks are similarly excelling on the road.

However, Chicago is in the midst of a 6-11 run at home while scoring two or fewer goals in six of the team's last eight contests at the United Center. Getting 6.5 is a gift.

New York Islanders/Colorado Avalanche under 5.5 (+100)

It's been a miserable week for the Islanders, who probably can't wait to return home. They're 0-3 on their current western road trip while being outscored 8-1. That moves the Islanders to 1-8 in their last nine road games against Western Conference teams, a stretch when they've scored just nine goals. Not coincidentally, the under is 8-1 in those games.

Pavel Francouz will start again for the Avalanche after allowing just one goal in a 1-0 loss when these teams met in New York last month. All signs point to another defensive struggle here.

Minnesota Wild/Vancouver Canucks over 5.5 (-110)

I was really tempted to take the Wild at plus-money in this spot, but sticking with the theme of the day, let's look at the total instead.

Minnesota is struggling defensively on the road while allowing four-plus goals in six of its last nine games, and we know the Canucks can score. The over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings between these clubs north of the border.

The Wild hit the road for the first time in close to two weeks here, and getting away from home should benefit a desperate team fighting for its playoff life. Look for Minnesota's offense to bounce back after the San Jose Sharks shut out the Wild on Saturday.

Best bet

Florida Panthers/Anaheim Ducks over 6 (-120)

Give me this over all day and twice on Sundays. The Panthers have allowed three-plus goals in seven of their last eight road games, and they've scored four-plus goals in six of their last seven away clashes against Western Conference squads. In fact, Florida's last seven nonconference road games have all gone over the total, with an average of 8.4 goals scored.

The Ducks are on their own 5-1 run to the over on home ice while giving up four-plus goals in four of their last six in Anaheim. They've scored three-plus goals in seven of their nine home games against Eastern Conference teams this season, and have notched three-plus markers in five straight matchups against Florida, including in a 5-4 away loss to the Panthers earlier this season.

Trend of the night

The Arizona Coyotes have lost 12 straight games against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Arena.

There were a number of pretty overwhelming trends to pick from today, but this one undoubtedly takes the cake. The Coyotes last won in Dallas on Feb. 7, 2012. Arizona has also lost eight of its last nine on the road, scoring two or fewer goals in seven of those games. Laying -160 might be a lot, but the Stars are certainly in play tonight.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.

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