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Two games in the National Hockey League offer appealing wagering opportunities to consider on Wednesday night.
Below you will find overlays from tonight’s games in Edmonton and Anaheim available at PointsBet.
For those unfamiliar with the term “overlay,” it simply refers to odds that are higher than an outcome’s true probability.
For example, if an outcome has a 50% chance of happening, the correlating odds would be +100.
If the odds offered on that specific event are +150, or an implied probability of 40%, then the price would represent an overlay.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS at EDMONTON OILERS (Oilers -1.5, -131 ML, OU 6)
Tristan Jarry has been outstanding in the crease for the Pittsburgh Penguins since November 18.
Over the course of his last six appearances, Jarry has earned three shutouts and lowered his season goals against average to 1.85 and his save percentage to .938.
Without Jarry, the Pens would be in serious trouble, as he has bailed them out on more than one occasion over the past two weeks.
He is scheduled to get the start tonight on the road in Edmonton against an Oilers team that appears to be getting back on track.
Winners of four of their last five, the Oilers are at their best when their studs are delivering – which they have for most of the season.
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are 1-3 in scoring in the National Hockey League, earning 40 and 36 points, respectively.
Production has not just come from Edmonton’s two-headed monster, however.
Five other players on the Oilers’ roster have earned at least ten points this season, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2 G, 18 A) and Jesse Puljujarvi (7 G, 9 A).
It is no guarantee that Jarry’s form will continue to be this strong given his overall body of work (specifically last year’s playoff debacle), and a team like Edmonton is likely best suited to break through against him.
Based on my projections, Edmonton defeats Pittsburgh by at least two goals 38.5% of the time, a percentage that translates to odds of +160.
While not a massive overlay, the Oilers’ puck line odds of +170 (implied probability of 37%) are just that – an overlay.
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VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS at ANAHEIM DUCKS (Golden Knights -1.5, -160 ML, OU 5.5)
By my estimation, the Anaheim Ducks are the most underappreciated team in the NHL when it comes to wagering.
The Ducks continue to be overlooked from an odds standpoint, again offering an extremely appealing price in tonight’s game at home against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Vegas is a team that is finally nearing full health, with Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty being reintroduced to the mix recently.
At full strength, there is a legitimate case to be made that the Golden Knights are one of the best teams in the league – but their odds in tonight’s game make it seem as though there is a chasm between themselves and Anaheim.
And there is not.
The Ducks likely will not have either Ryan Getzlaf (dinged up in last night’s game) or John Gibson (started in net last night against Los Angeles) for tonight’s game, however that does not mean their complementary parts are not capable of giving Vegas a run for their money.
Troy Terry continues to display exceptional form, as does Trevor Zegras (among others).
Anthony Stolarz may be the backup netminder for Anaheim, but his 2021-2022 campaign has been solid (2.39 GAA, .930 SV%) and his best can certainly slow down the potent Golden Knight’s attack.
Based on my projections, Anaheim defeats Vegas in tonight’s game 51.6% of the time – or odds of -107.
This is in stark contrast to the +135 (implied probability of 42.6%) moneyline odds offered on the Ducks, a price that must be taken advantage of.
THE PLAYS
Pittsburgh Penguins at Edmonton Oilers – Oilers -1.5 (+170)
Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim Ducks – Ducks ML (+135)
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