In this article, I’ll outline the most noteworthy odds, news, and betting notes from the marquee matchups from Wednesday’s four-game NHL slate, and I’ll also offer up my best bet of the night.
Best bet – Utah Mammoth puck line: +135
Mammoth puck line vs. Sabres
The Mammoth have a tailor-made opportunity to get right with a win in Wednesday’s home matchup versus the Buffalo Sabres after dropping the final three games of their four-game Eastern road trip.
The Mammoth’s only win of the road trip came last Tuesday in Buffalo, a game the Mammoth won 2-1 in overtime. Though the final score was close, the actual game play was not, as the Mammoth outshot the Sabres 35-18, generated 18 high-danger scoring chances, and led 3.68 to 1.8 in expected goal share.
The Mammoth will now have home-ice advantage in tonight’s rematch, and they have been strong on home ice this season so far, playing to a record of 4-1-0. The Sabres, meanwhile, are 0-3-2 on the road and are currently without captain and top defender Rasmus Dahlin.
Over the last five games, the Sabres have played to an expected goal share of 45.27%. Their roster composition is not overly impressive, and it’s becoming apparent that head coach Lindy Ruff is a little dated from a tactical perspective.
Though Utah is at a low point, it still looks likely to be a formidable side this season and snap its playoff drought. It features a highly skilled top-six forward group up front, as well as a high-quality starting goaltender in Karel Vejmelka, and has displayed an honest defensive game over the last two seasons.
At a price of +135, I’m happy to back the Mammoth getting right on home ice with a fairly comfortable win in this spot.
New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning
| Rangers moneyline | +120 |
| Lightning moneyline | -140 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (+100), Under 6 (-120) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
- Both of these teams look to be trending upwards currently and would likely be teams I’d be interested in backing currently given different opponents.
- The Rangers are 5-2-0 over their last seven games and finally won on home ice in their previous matchup, authoring a convincing 6-3 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday evening.
- Vincent Trocheck returned to the Rangers’ lineup in strong form on Monday, generating two points while playing alongside red-hot forwards Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere at even strength.
- The Lightning are 7-3-0 over their last 10 games and hold a 60.05% expected goal share in that span, which is the second-best mark in the NHL.
- Anthony Cirelli missed Saturday’s matchup and is listed as day-to-day. Victor Hedman missed Tuesday’s practice with an undisclosed injury and is also listed as day-to-day.
Edmonton Oilers @ Philadelphia Flyers
| Oilers moneyline odds | +145 |
| Flyers moneyline odds | -170 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (+100), Under 6 (-120) |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
- Though the Oilers were able to steal a 5-4 win in overtime on Monday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, and many of the team’s greatest concerns early on this season were on full display once again.
- Defenders such as Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse continue to miss assignments defensively, specifically in critical areas of the ice.
- The question continues to be whether or not the Oilers’ shaky start is worth reading into. Through 16 games, the Oilers were 5-10-1 in 2023-24 and started 8-7-1 last year before winning the Western Conference in both seasons, and many of the same issues were on display early on in those seasons.
- Connor McDavid has recorded four goals over the last three games and over 2.5 shots on goal in seven of his last eight games. He is priced at -170 to record three shots on goal in tonight’s matchup and at +145 to score.
- Matvei Michkov appears to have been promoted to the Flyers’ top line alongside Trevor Zegras and Sean Couturier. Michkov has had a disappointing start to the season, and head coach Rick Tocchet has offered him average ice time of just 14:49 this season.
- Flyers starting goaltender confirmations will likely be important from a handicapping perspective this season, as the disparity between Dan Vladar and Samuel Ersson looks quite significant. Vladar has been confirmed as the Flyers starter in this matchup and has played to a +6.1 GSAx rating in nine appearances this season.
New Jersey Devils @ Chicago Blackhawks
| Devils moneyline odds | -160 |
| Blackhawks moneyline odds | +135 |
| Game total | Over 6 goals (-115), Under 6 (-105) |
| Time | 9:30 p.m. ET |
- On a better team, Spencer Knight might have a realistic shot at earning a Vezina Trophy nomination based on his excellent start to the season. Knight currently ranks first in the NHL with a +13.3 GSAx rating and holds a save percentage of .926.
- Voters do not seem to put much stock into how strong a goaltender’s team is defensively, as surface-level stats always factor heavily into the voting. Vezina Trophy winners, and nominees, come heavily from teams that finish inside the league’s top 10, and that could hurt Knight’s case.
- With those thoughts in mind, it will always be important from a betting perspective to confirm if Knight will start or not, and he should be a safe bet to start in this game after resting on Sunday versus the Red Wings.
- At 8-8 straight up, the Blackhawks have been one of the most profitable teams to back in the NHL this season based on their low power rating entering the year.
- The Blackhawks will be without Frank Nazar, who was injured in Friday’s matchup versus the Calgary Flames. Chicago’s second line looks drastically less convincing with Nazar sidelined, but it was able to earn a 5-1 victory on Sunday without Nazar.
- The Blackhawks are 6-3-1 over the last 10 games and are 3-2-1 on home ice this season.
- The Devils suffered a frustrating 3-2 loss on home ice Monday versus the New York Islanders, a game in which they held a 35-24 edge in shots on goal and generated 5.33 expected goals.
- As Dougie Hamilton will remain sidelined due to injury, Luke Hughes will continue to quarterback the Devils’ top power-play unit.