With a three-game NHL slate tonight and a whole lot of playoff implications, our staff has whipped up a few best bets for your money-making pleasures.
We have three NHL bets covering the game between the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers, which will be airing on TNT tonight, and one best bet that circles around the Washington Capitals vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Let's dive into our NHL best bets, predictions, picks, and odds for Wednesday, April 8.
NHL Best Bets for Wednesday Night
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
| 7:00 p.m. | |
| 7:00 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Sabres vs. Rangers
By Tony Sartori
A goaltending battle could be in store on Wednesday as the Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to face the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin.
Entering this contest in strong form, Luukkonen has allowed two or fewer goals in six of his past eight starts.
He is 5-2-1 over that stretch with a .927 save percentage and a 1.99 goals-against average. Meanwhile, Shesterkin remains one of the best goaltenders in the league.
Through 49 starts this season, Shesterkin is 25-17-6 with a .912 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average. Like Luukkonen, Shesterkin enters this contest in good form, allowing just one goal in three of his past four starts.
He is 3-1 over that span with a .938 save percentage and a 1.51 goals-against average.
However, goal support may be limited for Shesterkin. This season, the Rangers rank 21st in goals scored per game.
As a result, there have been five or fewer total goals scored in four of New York’s past five games.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-108)
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Sabres vs. Rangers
On the surface, this feels like a strange pick, but the Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last week and a half, going 5-1 while scoring 4.5 GF/60 and allowing just 1.33 GA/60.
Much of that GA/60 number comes down to goaltending. New York ranks 17th in xGA over that stretch, but has posted a 94.87 team SV% and held opponents to just one goal on five separate occasions.
It hasn't been all Igor Shesterkin, either. Jonathan Quick and Dylan Garand both made spot starts, each allowing just a single goal.
Shesterkin is expected to start here and has been excellent in his four starts during this run, posting a .938 SV% and +5.34 GSAx.
Buffalo deserves plenty of respect, but the Sabres have cooled off some, ranking 24th in xGF and 15th in xGA over their last 10 games.
Despite the ugly optics, this feels like a good spot to back a team at home with nothing to lose. The Rangers have outscored opponents 27-8 over their last six games, and I'm willing to ride both the hot offense and goaltending.
Pick: Rangers Moneyline (+124)
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Sabres vs. Rangers
By Greg Liodice
Former eighth-overall draft pick in the 2020 Draft, Jack Quinn is shaping up to be a really solid player in this league.
For the first time in his career, he’s reached the 50-point mark and is just one goal away from hitting 20 goals.
But lately, we’ve seen Quinn a little more active.
In his past 10 games, he’s recorded three goals and three assists, but he’s also averaging 3.5 shots on goal per game.
This season, he’s averaged only 2.3 shots.
And being on a line with Jason Zucker and Ryan McLeod has certainly helped his output as well.
McLeod has turned into a dynamic two-way center – someone that the Edmonton Oilers are regretting letting go. He’s already reached 50 points, with a +22 rating, but he’s also become a legit playmaker.
Zucker is a goal scorer by nature, but with Quinn finding his touch this season, there will be plenty of opportunities for him against a Rangers team that has their eyes on next season.
Pick: Jack Quinn 3+ Shots on Goal (-110)
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Capitals vs. Maple Leafs
By Nick Martin
After Sunday's horrific 8-1 loss at MSG, the Capitals' chances of making the playoffs are slim to none, but the organization threw their fans a bone in recalling Ilya Protas from the AHL after patiently waiting all season to do so.
Protas has put up six goals and 17 points over his last ten games at the AHL level, which finally persuaded the Capitals to give him a shot at the NHL level. Many prospect models put him in the same regard as Porter Martone, who's made an immediate impact since joining the Philadelphia Flyers five games ago.
I just realized this now, but Protas had 6 ([) points in this game.
Here are the 5 others. pic.twitter.com/ww9C5YYzB6
— Jack Han (@JhanHky) April 7, 2026
Protas is being offered a strong chance to make an immediate offensive impact, as he will skate on the Capitals' second line alongside his brother Aliaksei and Tom Wilson.
The Maple Leafs have allowed 4.38 xGA/60 in 20 games since the Olympic break, and are arguably the worst defensive team in the NHL.
Considering his role in the lineup and favorable matchup, Bet365's price of +500 looks to be long enough to take a stab at the highly touted prospect breaking through in his first NHL game.
Pick: Ilya Protas Anytime Goal Scorer (+500)
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