We have a small NHL slate on Wednesday night, but that didn't stop our staff from whipping up a few best bets.
Tonight, we have three teams vying for playoff positioning, and one team attempting to hold on to a divisional lead. So let's get into it and see what options we have in stock for a profitable hump day.
Let's get into our NHL best bets, predictions and picks for Wednesday, April 1.
NHL Best Bets for Wednesday, April 1
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
| 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 9:00 p.m. | |
  | 9:00 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. | ||
Canucks vs. Avalanche
By Nick Martin
Sam Malinski has emerged as one of the more underrated puck-moving defenders in the league, and his tremendous play in a heightened role this season is a key reason for the Avalanche's year-over-year improvement.
He's capable of driving offence with his strong mobility and intelligent puck movement and features strong underlying numbers offensively.
Malinski has been in a strong run of play offensively, with five points over the last five games, but will likely see greatly improved usage with Cale Makar expected to miss some time.
The Avalanche love to run five-skater sets with Nathan MacKinnon's line and Makar's pairing, and I assume that Malinski will now see usage in those ultra-dangerous situations and may potentially also receive some power-play minutes.
Wednesday's matchup versus the Vancouver Canucks is an appealing time to buy into the idea that Malinski will be more productive during the period of time that Makar is sidelined. The Canucks have, without question, been the worst team in the NHL, and their shaky defensive play continues to be compounded by abhorrent goaltending.
Considering Malinski's improved role in a game where the Avs are priced at -500, his chances of recording a point seem to be undervalued at +110.
Pick: Sam Malinski Over 0.5 Points (+110)
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Canucks vs. Avalanche
By Tony Sartori
While much of the focus on the Colorado Avalanche centers on their offense, their defense has been just as strong. In fact, no team allows fewer goals per game this season than Colorado.
The Avalanche do an excellent job limiting high-danger scoring chances. Entering this matchup, they rank third in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Backing that defense is goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who is slated to start Wednesday. Blackwood enters this contest in good form, allowing three or fewer goals in each of his past four starts.
He is 3-1 during that stretch with a .907 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average. There have been six or fewer total goals scored in each of those four games.
That trend could continue against the Vancouver Canucks, who rank last in goals scored per game.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-106)
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Ducks vs. Sharks
These two teams have met twice this season with a combined 22 goals across both matchups, and I expect more of the same tonight.
Anaheim ranks 30th in xGA over its last 10 games. San Jose, meanwhile, has surrendered nearly four goals per game in that same stretch.
In net for the Sharks, neither Nedeljkovic nor Askarov has inspired much confidence lately overall, posting GSAx ratings of -6.0 and -11.0, respectively, over their last 10 games.
No starter has been confirmed, though Nedeljkovic feels like the likely choice after looking respectable in his last two starts against Columbus and St. Louis.
That also brings me to a second pick. Anaheim sits atop the Pacific Division despite a negative goal differential, collecting points in seven of its last eight, going 5-1-2. That said, the Ducks have dropped their last two, including a game against a near lifeless Toronto team.
San Jose is nearly the opposite at 2-5-1 over that stretch, but has won its last two. Those wins came against a really good Columbus team and a St. Louis squad that has been playing outstanding defensive hockey in March.
The Sharks have earned some respect here, and I like the way they've looked in their last two games, granted it's a small sample size.
You can parlay these at +260, but I am playing them separately.
Pick: Sharks ML (+102) | Over 6.5 (-128) | Parlay: +260
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Blues vs. Kings
By Greg Liodice
I’ve always been a big fan of the way Dylan Holloway plays, which is why I was stunned that the Edmonton Oilers let him walk a few years ago.
Holloway had originally dealt with some injuries in the middle of the season, but since returning, he’s been everything the St. Louis Blues have needed.
Since returning from the Olympic break, Holloway has played in 16 games and posted nine goals and 11 assists – including four goals and four assists over his last seven games.
Tonight, the Blues take on the Los Angeles Kings, a team that, day by day, is losing its grip on the playoffs, going 3-3-4 in their last 10 games, including losses in five of their last six games.
Goaltending has been a notable problem, which is ironic, since the tandem of Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg seemed to be working.
But over their last 10 games, Kuemper is posting a 0.5 GSAx and Forsberg a -5.4.
Kuemper, who will likely get the nod tonight, has struggled as of late in facing high-danger chances. Over his past 10 games, he has a .783 SV% against high danger shots.
For context, the leader in that category over that timespan is Lukas Dostal with an .885 SV%.
Which brings me back to Holloway.
He hasn’t found himself in a ton of high danger opportunities, but St. Louis’ 5-on-5 play has been exceptional over the past two weeks. In Los Angeles’ defense, the Kings have played stellar defense as well, but goaltending has hung them out to dry.
Holloway is on a heater, so at +230 on DraftKings, we’re going to ride with the youngin.
Pick: Dylan Holloway Anytime Goal Scorer (+230)
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