NHL Picks Today: NHL Best Bets, Predictions and Props for Wednesday, Oct. 14

Top NHL Picks at a Glance

• Canadiens Moneyline (+112)
• Stars-Avalanche Under 6.5 Goals (-140)

Wednesday’s NHL slate is a small one, but both games offer intriguing betting angles.

The Montreal Canadiens visit the Washington Capitals in the opener before the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche wrap up the night with the second half of a home-and-home set. Montreal enters at 3-2-1 while Colorado improved to 4-2 after beating Dallas on Tuesday.

With only two games to choose from tonight, let’s take a look at one bet from each matchup.

NHL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

NHL Predictions Today: Player Props, Best Bets

Canadiens Moneyline (+112)

Canadiens vs. Capitals, 7:30 p.m. ET

There’s enough upside with the Montreal Canadiens for me to take a shot on the Canadiens as a small road underdog.

The market has Washington favored at -134, but numberFire’s current model is much more bullish on Montreal, giving the Canadiens a 61.3% win probability. That creates a sizable discrepancy compared to Montreal’s +112 odds.

The biggest concern for Montreal is in net. Jakub Dobes has been confirmed as the starter, and he carries a 4.43 goals-against average and an .857 save percentage through his first three decisions. Washington had yet to officially confirm Logan Thompson as of Wednesday morning.

Still, I like Montreal’s offensive ceiling enough to overlook some of that goaltending risk. Chris Kreider has already collected four points through five games while Zachary Bolduc has scored three goals. The Canadiens also have plenty of high-end skill surrounding Nick Suzuki and their young core.

Stars-Avalanche Under 6.5 Goals (-140)

Stars vs. Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. ET

The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche played Tuesday night in Texas, and the quick turnaround makes the under appealing in Wednesday’s rematch.

These teams certainly possess enough offensive talent to create a shootout, particularly with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson, and Roope Hintz involved. MacKinnon entered Tuesday with 10 points through Colorado’s first five games.

However, this is the second game of a back-to-back and the second meeting between these clubs in as many nights. That setup can encourage a slightly more conservative style, particularly from two teams that know each other extremely well.

The goaltending outlook also offers some upside for the under. Jake Oettinger and Mackenzie Blackwood were the projected options as of Wednesday morning, although neither starter had yet been confirmed.

There are meaningful personnel absences, too. Dallas is without Matt Duchene following core surgery while Colorado played Tuesday without Cale Makar, who was away from the team for the birth of his child. Duchene is expected to miss roughly three months.

With both sides possibly a little tired, I’m siding with the under.

NHL Betting -- Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Puck Line in NHL Betting?

The puck line is hockey's version of a point spread. The standard puck line is usually set at 1.5 goals, meaning a team listed at -1.5 must win by at least two goals for the bet to cash. A team at +1.5 can either win outright or lose by one goal.

What Does the Moneyline Mean in NHL Betting?

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game. Favorites have negative odds, while underdogs have positive odds. Unlike the puck line, the margin of victory does not matter.

What Are NHL Player Props?

NHL player props allow bettors to wager on an individual player's performance rather than the final result of the game. Common markets include goals, assists, points, shots on goal, and goalie saves.

What Should You Consider When Betting on NHL Games?

Several factors can influence NHL betting decisions, including starting goaltenders, injuries, recent team performance, special-teams play, expected line combinations, and whether a team is playing on consecutive nights. Because goalie confirmations can significantly impact a matchup, it can be useful to check the latest lineup news before placing a bet.

Which NHL bets stand out to you today? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's NHL odds to see the full menu of options.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.