NHL Hockey Best Bets for November 18, 2015
Short card of NHL action for Wednesday with only three games on the board:
VANCOUVER CANUCKS AT WINNIPEG JETS:
Both teams are in desperate need of a victory. The Canucks have lost five of their last six but are coming off a gritty effort against the Montreal Canadiens that resulted in an overtime loss. The Jets have lost six straight, five straight in regulation. The Jets have been playing very poor defense and for a team built to win with defense that’s just not going to work. Goaltending has also been inconsistent. Ondrej Pavalec will get the start tonight and he’s got to play much better. It’s not entirely his fault–the Jets are giving up too many shots on goal (#24 in the NHL allowing 30.9 per game). Vancouver on the other hand has injuries to deal with–Radim Vrbata will miss tonight’s game while Alexandre Burrows and Brandon Sutter are listed as ‘questionable’. Ryan Miller will get the start in net for the Canucks.
The head to head series between the teams has been close over the past few seasons. The Jets have won 2 of the last 3 games on home ice while the Canucks hold a 4-2 advantage overall. This game looks to be a ‘toss up’ and we’ll take the Canucks due to their plus money price.
BET VANCOUVER CANUCKS +110 OVER WINNIPEG JETS
WASHINGTON CAPITALS AT DETROIT RED WINGS:
Caps and Wings played at Detroit just a week ago with the home team winning 1-0 on a 38 save shutout by goaltender Petr Mrazek. He’ll try to do it again as the teams rematch tonight. Alex Ovechkin is still trying to become the NHL’s all time Russian born goal scorer. Washington is at 11-4-1 but have only beaten two teams above .500. Detroit is treading water at 9-8-1 and this might be where the team is at now. Mzerak is a good goaltender but it’s hard to see him shutting down the Capitals offense again–and particularly if his teammates surrender 38 shots on net. We’ll look for the Capitals to avenge last week’s defeat.
BET WASHINGTON CAPITALS -120 OVER DETROIT RED WINGS
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS AT EDMONTON OILERS:
Blackhawks have struggled on the road this season (2-5-0) but with their next six games away from the United Center they need to improve upon that performance immediately. They’ve got a great opportunity to get their annual ‘circus trip’ off to a winning start at Edmonton. The Oilers have won only once in five tries since Connor McDavid was lost to injury. The Blackhawks have taken care of business against losing teams going 5-1-0 against teams under .500.
BET CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS -170 OVER EDMONTON OILERS