NHL Hockey Betting for November 4, 2015
The NHL news cycle has been dominated by the Connor McDavid injury but there’s still a short schedule of on-ice action for Wednesday. Here’s our ‘best bets’:
WINNIPEG JETS AT TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS:
Bad emotional setup for the home team with Winnipeg coming off an embarrassing loss at Montreal. The Jets have had three days to stew about it and now they can take out their frustrations on an improving but still not really good Toronto team. Toronto is coming off a win over Dallas and that’s a dangerous dynamic for a young team not used to success. Winnipeg got some good news in that rugged Dustin Byfulgien won’t be suspended for a hard hit last time out. For Toronto, James Reimer will be back between the pipes tonight as starter Jonathan Bernier remains sidelined with an ‘undisclosed ailment’.
Toronto was such an awful team this year it’s easy to get overly excited about their improved play. The reality is that they’re still 2-7-2 and are tied with Columbus and Anaheim for the worst record in the league. The Jets have had trouble stepping up in class this season but have done a good job beating the teams they’re supposed to beat. With the Central Division dominating in play outside of their division we’ll gladly take the Jets.
BET WINNIPEG JETS -125 OVER TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
ST. LOUIS BLUES AT CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS:
Important game for both teams as a total of six points separate the top six teams in the brutal Central Division. Blackhawks clearly suffering some ‘hangover’ from the Stanley Cup win and will be without Marian Hossa tonight. That shouldn’t slow down Jonathan Toews who has been carrying the load for Hossa all season. Blues coming off a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles but have still won five of their last seven and seven of their last eleven games. Blackhawks have won five of seven and might finally be coming around. At any rate, they’ve beaten St. Louis 6 of the last 8 times they’ve played at the United Center.
BET CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS -140 OVER ST. LOUIS BLUES
FLORIDA PANTHERS AT ANAHEIM DUCKS:
Ducks still a bad team and still without Ryan Getzlaf. They are coming off a win over Nashville but could be in ‘letdown mode’ here. Florida is a very dangerous team that is easy to overlook. They haven’t played since Halloween night and have lost two straight.
BET FLORIDA PANTHERS +120 OVER ANAHEIM DUCKS