Six games are set to take place in the National Hockey League on Wednesday night, with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche kicking off their 2022-2023 season at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Below you will find my projections for each of the six games on tap as well as any wagers worth considering, with odds powered by PointsBet.
The percentages in parentheses next to the odds reflect the implied probability of the price listed.
Here is the year-to-date results tally:
1-0-0 (100%), +1.4 units
PROJECTIONS
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS at MONTREAL CANADIENS
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| TOR | -281 | -283 (73.9%) | -1.5 (-110) | -113 (53.1%) | O6.5 (-131) | -272 (73.1%) | +285 | +399 (20%) |
| MTL | +225 | +284 (26.1%) | +1.5 (-110) | +113 (46.9%) | U6.5 (+110) | +272 (26.9%) | -171 | -211 (67.8%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +400 | +729 (12.1%) |
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS @ CAROLINA HURRICANES
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| CBJ | +230 | -101 (50.2%) | +1.5 (-110) | -331 (76.8%) | O6.5 (-105) | +426 (19%) | +290 | +149 (40.2%) |
| CAR | -291 | -101 (49.8%) | -1.5 (-110) | +331 (23.2%) | U6.5 (-115) | -425 (81%) | -171 | +151 (39.8%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +380 | +401 (20%) |
BOSTON BRUINS at WASHINGTON CAPITALS
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| BOS | +125 | +148 (40.3%) | +1.5 (-221) | -194 (66%) | O6 (-121) | +441 (18.5%) | +170 | +215 (31.7%) |
| WSH | -145 | -148 (59.7%) | -1.5 (+180) | +194 (34%) | U6 (+100) | -121 (54.8%) | +100 | -105 (51.2%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +330 | +484 (17.1%) |
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS at COLORADO AVALANCHE
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| CHI | +325 | +338 (22.9%) | +1.5 (+130) | +121 (45.2%) | O6.5 (-115) | +118 (45.8%) | +500 | +509 (16.4%) |
| COL | -430 | -337 (77.1%) | -1.5 (-155) | -121 (54.8%) | U6.5 (-105) | -118 (54.2%) | -265 | -241 (70.7%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +475 | +676 (12.9%) |
SEATTLE KRAKEN at ANAHEIM DUCKS
|
| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| SEA | +105 | +109 (47.8%) | +1.5 (-245) | -245 (71%) | O5.5 (-125) | -146 (59.4%) | +150 | +151 (39.8%) |
| ANA | -125 | -109 (52.2%) | -1.5 (+195) | +145 (29%) | U5.5 (+105) | +146 (40.6%) | +120 | +126 (44.2%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +320 | +526 (16%) |
VANCOUVER CANUCKS at EDMONTON OILERS
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| ML ODDS | ML PROJ. | PUCK LINE ODDS | PUCK LINE PROJ. | TOTAL ODDS | TOTAL PROJ. | 3-WAY ML ODDS | 3-WAY ML PROJ. |
| VAN | +160 | +169 (37.2%) | +1.5 (-160) | -147 (59.6%) | O6.5 (-105) | -136 (57.7%) | +215 | +230 (30.3%) |
| EDM | -196 | -169 (62.8%) | -1.5 (+135) | +147 (40.4%) | U6.5 (-115) | +137 (42.3%) | -125 | -127 (55.9%) |
| TIE |
|
|
|
|
|
| +350 | +622 (13.9%) |
BETS
There are a handful of wagers where there’s value to be had, however some of the bets still involve laying more than I personally prefer to do. There is one wager tonight that’s worth considering, though.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes on the road, and rightfully so. Carolina was one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference last year before the injury to primary netminder Freddy Andersen, and the Blue Jackets were a non-factor in terms of competing for a playoff berth. Despite this, there does appear to be some value in Columbus’ puck line odds tonight. Columbus’ offseason addition of Johnny Gaudreau to their roster is the obvious headliner, but the truth of the matter is that Columbus’ main issue last season wasn’t scoring – it was stopping the puck. 23-year-old Daniil Tarasov gets the nod on Opening Night due to an illness for usual starter Elvis Merzlikins, an opportunity that the Russian netminder won’t take lightly. Tarasov put up strong numbers in limited action last year (.937 save percentage in four appearances), and if he’s able to keep the Hurricanes’ offensive output to a dull roar, Columbus should be able to cover the +1.5-puck line at odds of -110.
THE PLAYS:
- COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS at CAROLINA HURRICANES – BLUE JACKETS +1.5 (-110)