Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (10/11/23)
Did we enjoy opening night in the National Hockey League? We sure did as the Sidney Crosby/Connor Bedard matchup was a fun one to watch as the latter's club rallied from a 2-0 deficit to upset Crosby's Penguins by a 4-2 count. That being said, we have double the action tonight as we go from three games on Tuesday to six on Wednesday, meaning it's time to dive into some free bets and get our season started on the right note!
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In this article, I'll provide my favorite betting picks for the NHL games on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. We will focus on money line bets, totals, and team totals. With all of that said, let's break down some hockey games. Follow me on Twitter @BKemp17.
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Today's NHL Betting Picks - Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins
O/U: 6 | Moneyline: BOS (-305)
As noted above, the Blackhawks got their season started on the right note on Tuesday night as they looked far better than anyone could have expected against a Penguins team many expect to rebound into a postseason spot this season. However, they already find themselves in a brutal back-to-back situation tonight in Boston.
The 'Hawks come-from-behind rally last night would not have been possible without a stellar effort from veteran Petr Mrazek who turned aside 38 of the 40 shots he faced. A young Blackhawks defense that includes three rookies of the six blueliners in action predictably had some holes in their game but Mrazek was there to bail them out. Tonight, it's the inexperienced Arvid Soderblom getting the call for the road side.
The 24-year-old has just 18 games of NHL experience under his belt and has an uneasy 3.69 goals-against average and .889 save percentage in that time. He also posted a mediocre 2.92 GAA and .905 Sv% across 33 games with the Blackhawks' American Hockey League affiliate in Rockford last season.
Sure, the Bruins are under the microscope this season after seeing a hefty dose of veterans leaving in the offseason, most notably a pair of long-time B's centers in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. However, this is a club that will still defend as well, if not better, than any time in the league on the heels of a league-best 2.12 goals against per game last season with a Vezina-winning Linus Ullmark between the pipes.
Oh, and they also still sport one of the game's top sharp-shooters in David Pastrnak along with Brad Marchand up front. Bergeron might be gone but these two elite forwards will absolutely remain productive.
Look for the veteran-laden Bruins to bring a young Blackhawks team back down to earth tonight in Beantown.
Pick: Bruins -1.5 puck line (-125, DraftKings sportsbook)
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Today's NHL Betting Picks - Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames
O/U: 6.5 | Moneyline: CGY (-135)
Am I the only one that's had a change of heart on the outlook of the Winnipeg Jets after goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and No. 1 center Mark Schefiele re-upped with the club on identical seven-year contract extensions on Monday?
The Jets appeared to be in a tough situation with their two most precious assets heading for free agency at the season's end and trade rumors swirling over their heads. However, the club signaled a win-now mentality with the extensions and appears to have its foot firmly on the gas pedal heading into the 2023-24 campaign.
HERE TO STAY ��
Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck have signed identical seven-year contract extensions with an average annual value of $8,500,000. pic.twitter.com/vINkMjXh9b
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 9, 2023
That campaign begins tonight in Calgary against a Flames team that appears to be a wild card entering the season. Calgary missed the postseason last year and saw Tyler Toffoli dealt away in the offseason, losing a proven goal-scoring winger in the process. They could be a team ready to bounce back but they'll also need a much better season from veteran Jacob Markstrom after he posted a less-than-impressive 2.92 GAA and .892 Sv% in 59 games last season.
As a result, it's a clear-cut advantage for the Jets between the pipes with Hellebuyck coming off a 2.49 GAA and .920 Sv% in a league-leading 64 appearances last season. He's annually considered for the Vezina Trophy, finishing in the top four in Vezina voting four times in the last six seasons.
The offense should also produce. They traded No. 2 center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings but appear deep up front with a 40-goal center in Scheifle along with a potential 40-goal candidate Kyle Connor on the flank. Alex Iafallo and Gabriel Vilardi -- two key portions of the return from the Kings in exchange for Dubois -- are quality NHL players with Villardi breaking out with 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games at age 23 last season.
There was reason to be skeptical of the Jets as recently as 48 hours ago. However, this is a team that wants to win and wants to win now. They're a nice value bet to their season starting in the right direction Wednesday night on the road in Calgary.
Pick: Jets Moneyline (+114, DraftKings sportsbook)
Good luck, Rotoballers! Let's cash some bets and make some money today!
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