Oct 20, 8:20am | 4 min read

Daily Picks 10/20: Sunday Night Totals

NHL

Chris Wassel

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Chris Wassel's picks for today's NHL action

ANALYSIS

The NHL gives us a slight reprieve with just four evening games on the five-game slate. Let’s dig into these games!

Here are Today’s NHL Picks:

Montreal Canadiens @ Minnesota Wild

- Devan Dubnyk is the only starting goalie in the NHL who is winless with five losses already.

This game may be one of the worst of October in terms of trying to gauge it. On one hand, there is the Minnesota Wild, where the wheels have fallen off in this 1-6 start. Then, there are the Montreal Canadiens who are 1-0-2 on the road while yielding 3.4 goals per game on the season. Montreal is also starting Keith Kinkaid whose only start was a 5-4 overtime loss to Buffalo. The Canadiens yielded three even-strength goals and two power-play goals in that game. Conversely, there is Dubnyk who has allowed 3+ goals in all five of his starts as Minnesota has left players wide open all over the ice. Statschecker has Montreal with a 5-2-1 record for the over/under and Minnesota is 4-3. The over is the play here.

1u – Over 5.5 Total Goals @ -117

Washington Capitals @ Chicago Blackhawks

- The home team has won eight of the last nine matchups. Can Chicago make it nine of the last ten?

The game carries some intrigue because of the star power. Patrick Kane versus Alexander Ovechkin. For that alone and the pace which both teams play is worthy of a look. It is likely why the game moved from an over/under of 6 up to 6.5. Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford look to be the projected goalies on Sunday. Holtby has struggled in October and so has Crawford. Chicago does allow nearly 35 shots per 60 in his starts while Holtby has been pulled from a start at home. Also, Holtby gave up six goals on 38 shots in his last road start versus Nashville. Chicago has also connected on 24 of its last 36 games when it comes to the over. Take the over, and also throw some consideration to taking Chicago at home with the +115 to +120 moneyline here as well.

1u – Over 6.5 Total Goals @ -110

Edmonton Oilers @ Winnipeg Jets

- Edmonton is the incredibly hot team on the moneyline with a 7-1 mark while Winnipeg is just a mediocre 4-5.

This game figures to drive bettors a bit crazy. It is another game where the over/under quickly swung from 6 to 6.5. Edmonton is also off to an unreal start winning seven of eight contests. They have scored 31 goals in those games while Winnipeg has scored 27 in nine games. Edmonton defensively and in net has been better despite giving up a few more shots (nearly 34 per 60 on the road). Winnipeg’s shot rate overall is the same. Winnipeg’s weakness early on has been the penalty kill as they are a league-worst 56.3% but take the fewest minors in the league as well. Mike Smith and Connor Hellebuyck are the projected goalies in this matchup. Expect some movement to the positive direction as far as the over/under and take the over. It looks to be a clearer play than trying to figure out the spread and moneyline. If pressed, Winnipeg is our moneyline choice.

1u -- Over 6.5 Total Goals @ -111

Calgary Flames @ Anaheim Ducks

- Statschecker comes out firing here with Anaheim hitting the under in four of their last five Sunday night games following a win.

This game hits on all the cylinders as far as Anaheim being the dominant home team against Calgary (once upon a time there was a 25- game streak in Anaheim). The home team took all four meetings last year and the under connected three times. Overall this year, Calgary is 3-4-1 against the over and Anaheim is 3-5. Anaheim has won six straight home games too. Furthermore, Calgary just played in Los Angeles last night and that ended in a 4-1 defeat. John Gibson will start for Anaheim, but Calgary may have to start Cam Talbot between the pipes. That may project out to a more conservative yet physical affair. The moneyline is quite friendly for Anaheim also.