Daily Picks 10/16: Look To The Home Teams

The NHL features six more games on Wednesday night including some high-octane meetings in Washington and Pittsburgh. Do not forget, there is Buffalo heading west to face the Anaheim Ducks. Let’s quickly get down to business.

Here are Today’s NHL Picks:

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Washington Capitals

- The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to Washington after playing Minnesota last night. Will Frederik Andersen play on the back end of a back-to-back?

This game will be tough to gauge. Toronto played last night and is facing an angry Washington team who fell behind 5-0 before rallying against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday. Washington appears poised to play Braden Holtby again which adds to the growing uncertainty. The Capitals are one of the few teams that can send out three balanced scoring lines like the Maple Leafs. If Washington gets some decent goaltending, that should be enough to win the game on Wednesday night.

1u – Washington Capitals ML @ -125

Colorado Avalanche @ Pittsburgh Penguins

- Colorado had one wild ride on Monday. They scored five goals early then held on for dear life against Washington. What do they do against Pittsburgh?

The Colorado Avalanche are fun to watch. Colorado has won three of the last four meetings between the two teams. Statschecker shows some intriguing data on this game that goes against the flow of play. Pittsburgh has won its last six home games on Wednesdays. Pittsburgh absorbed yet another injury with Jared McCann now day-to-day. Colorado’s top-six can strike from anywhere, but the Penguins must play the game a little bit different now with a half-dozen players out of the lineup. If any team can pull this off, it is Pittsburgh especially when on national TV.

1u - Pittsburgh Penguins ML @ -115

1u – Over 6.5 Total Goals @ +118

Philadelphia Flyers @ Edmonton Oilers

- Philadelphia sweeps through the back end of Alberta tonight after playing Calgary on Tuesday night. Unexpectedly, goals were not as plentiful as the two teams combined for just four. Does Philadelphia get gassed enough to cause more scoring?

This game could be like the game last night in Calgary, but it could also explode into chaos. Edmonton can score with the best of them, but Philadelphia tends not to perform well against the Pacific Division. How bad? According to Statschecker, the Flyers have seen the under connect in six straight night games versus the division. Also, Philadelphia has lost six straight road games. On the other hand, Philadelphia has won three of the last four meetings with the over/under, going 1-2-1. That is a lot of data to digest in a short amount of time. Edmonton did lose their last game, but this is a recipe for a bounce-back tilt. Ride the moneyline and potentially take the -1.5 goals spread at nearly +190.

1u – Edmonton Oilers ML @ -125

1u - Under 6.5 Total Goals @ -133

Buffalo Sabres at Anaheim Ducks

- Buffalo is off to some start as they travel out west to face the Anaheim Ducks. Can the Sabres’ power play continue their torrid 40%+ start?    

This six game slate points toward this game as another one which could disappoint or surprise. Buffalo has won three of the previous four meetings that have pitted the two teams against each other. Anaheim has dragged teams to the under in five of their six games this year. Even in the series historically, the under has hit in four of the last six contests. The projected goalies expect to be Carter Hutton for Buffalo and John Gibson for Anaheim. Gibson plays better at home and Anaheim has a bit more offensive pop than most realize. If the Ducks shut down the Sabres’ power-play, that translates into a win on Wednesday night.

1u - Anaheim Ducks ML @ -129

1u – Under 5.5 Total Goals @ -125

By Chris Wassel