There are just three games on tonight’s NHL schedule, but that doesn’t mean there is not value on the board. Let’s dive into some of the best bets for Wednesday night’s action!
Tonight’s NHL Best Bets | October 12
Philadelphia Flyers +1.5 (+116) vs. Florida Panthers
The Flyers are off to a surprisingly hot 3-0-0 start to the season, a campaign that began with little in terms of expectations on the heels of another tough season. However, tonight’s contest in Sunrise is a walk in the park.
Philadelphia is a massive +293 moneyline underdog here, so build in some protection and go with plus-money odds on the puck line. They should be able to keep this one close even if they don’t win outright.
The Panthers put All-World defenseman Aaron Ekblad on injured reserve Wednesday morning. Ekblad isn’t the only Florida blue liner out for this one, as Brandon Montour also won’t dress Wednesday. This leaves Gustav Forsling, Marc Staal, Josh Mahura, Radko Gudas, Lucas Carlsson and Matt Kiersted as the team’s six defensemen for this matchup, a group that leaves plenty to be desired.
There’s little doubt the Panthers can produce up front; that’s not the question here. It’s whether or not this depleted back end can come together and stymie a hot Flyers team. At +116 on the puck line, it’s worth finding out.
Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+108) vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Avalanche welcome the Winnipeg Jets to Denver tonight as they look to keep rolling at the offensive end of the ice. On a day the club announced the long-term absence of Gabriel Landeskog, who has yet to suit up this season, there’s a good chance the Avalanche score enough to win this one on the puck line.
It’s early, but the Avs enter this one averaging 4.67 goals per game through their first three games. Their power play sits at 50%, and they just hung six goals on the Wild in Minnesota on Monday in a notoriously hostile environment in St. Paul. Nathan MacKinnon is already enjoying a massive season, with two goals and 7 points across those three games.
The Jets are off to a 1-1-0 start while averaging 2.50 goals for and against per game. However, their first road game of the season was a 4-1 loss in Dallas on Monday, and the club has a history of out-producing on home ice while their offense usually lags on the road. Expect that to remain the case this evening against a dynamic Avalanche back end.
Back the Avs on the puck line in this one.
St. Louis Blues (-131) vs. Seattle Kraken
The St. Louis Blues take on the Seattle Kraken Wednesday night, and St. Louis should be able to come out victorious. The Blues opened their season with a 5-2 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday and get another solid matchup tonight on three days’ rest.
Predictably, the Kraken have scuffled out of the gate, with just one regulation win in four tries while struggling at both ends of the ice. Their offense has produced just 2.75 goals per game, but their four goals against per game on the back end are the bigger issue. The Kraken were a defensive disaster in their 2021-22 expansion season, ranking 24th with 3.46 goals against per game while scoring just 2.60 goals per game, good for 28th in the NHL.
Jordan Binnington will need to be better in goal for St. Louis this season with Ville Huuso now in Detroit, and his 23 saves in 25 chances on Saturday were a good start. Wednesday brings plenty of opportunity to make it back-to-back wins for the bounce-back candidate. The Blues are reasonably priced to win outright Wednesday in Seattle.
