NHL Predictions: Picks, Best Bets for Wednesday, Oct 15
Summary
The Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres face off with both teams struggling early in the season. Buffalo is winless and has only scored two goals in three games, while Ottawa is missing its captain, Brady Tkachuk. Given these offensive challenges, the prediction is for a low-scoring game, with the best bet being the under on six total goals.
In other matchups, the Detroit Red Wings, off to a strong start, are predicted to challenge the defending champion Florida Panthers at home. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks, who have kept games close, are expected to cover the puck line against a St. Louis Blues team returning from a West Coast trip.
Ottawa Senators vs. Buffalo Sabres 7:00 p.m. EST
| Senators ML | -125 |
| Sabres ML | +105 |
| Puck Line | OTT -1.5 (+195)BUF +1.5 (-240) |
| Game Total | O6 (-110)U6 (-110) |
Game Preview
Two teams in desperate mode clash on Wednesday night as the Senators and Sabres battle in Buffalo. It’s only week one of the season and Buffalo is already in turmoil after starting 0-3 and has only scored two goals through three games. Ottawa has won just one of its first three and coming off a loss to Nashville in its home opener.
The Senators are getting back forward Drake Batherson who missed the first three games with an injury and should add some firepower up front after scoring a career-high 26 goals and 68 points last season. But the team will be without captain Brady Tkachuk for the next month after injuring his hand against the Predators.
The Sabres are in must win mode as Lindy Ruff tries to right the ship. They lost to the Avalanche on Monday in a game where fans threw jerseys onto the ice. The lone bright spot was Tage Thompson lighting the lamp but he’ll need to lead Buffalo offensively to give them a shot.
Prediction
Both teams have scoring issues following recent losses and this appears to be a game that could be lower scoring than many think. Without Tkachuk in the lineup and the Sabres only scoring twice, the under looks like the play in this game. BEST BET: UNDER 6
Florida Panthers vs. Detroit Red Wings 7:00 p.m.
| Panthers ML | -140 |
| Red Wings ML | +123 |
| Puck Line | FLA -1.5 (+180)DET +1.5 (-210) |
| Game Total | O6 (-124)U6 (+108) |
Game Preview
The Red Wings have started strong under Todd McLellan winning two of their opening three games this season including a win against the Maple Leafs Monday. Detroit scored late in the third to seal the win as they defeated Toronto in back-to-back games. Cam Talbot has been strong with two wins, 2.11 GAA and a .925 save percentage. Veteran Patrick Kane leads the teams with a goal and 3 assists and Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond both have two goals for the Wings.
As expected, the defending champions are off to another strong start as they’ve won 3 of four games with their only blemish coming against the Flyers. Talk about balanced scoring as the Panthers have 6 players with at least 3 points and 11 players with at least two points each. Sergei Bobrovsky has been perfect with a 3-0 record and a GAA of 1.67. He’s expected to get the start.
Prediction
The Red Wings are a team on the rise and have actually surprised many pundits so far this season. There’s nothing more than taking down the 2-time champs on home ice and could show they are a playoff team this season. BEST BET: RED WINGS ML +123
Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues 9:30 p.m. EST
| Blackhawks ML | +194 |
| Blues ML | -223 |
| Puck Line | CHI +1.5(-137)STL -1.5(+117) |
| Game Total | O5.5 (-124)U5.5 (+108) |
The Blues got off to a rough start, losing their home opener 5-0 to the Wild but got back on track with two wins in Western Canada, 4-2 on Saturday at Calgary and 5-2 on Monday at Vancouver. St. Louis has been led by wingers Jake Neighbours and Jimmy Snuggerud who have combined for five goals and coach Jim Montgomery says these two have been their best players this season. The Blues have received secondary scoring from newcomers Pius Sutter (one goal, one assist) and Nick Bjugstad (one goal, five hits, two blocked shots) providing a balance top-6 attack.
It’s been a tough start for the Blackhawks again as they went winless in three games before defeating the Mammoth 3-1 on Monday. First-year Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill believes his young team is making strides to get better under his new staff. Forwards Teuvo Teravainen
(one goal, four assists) and Frank Nazar (one goal, four assists) lead the team in scoring while
Andre Burakovsky (two goals, one assist) and Connor Bedard (two goals, one assist) are contributing in the top-6. Goaltender Spencer Knight has been steady in his three starts posting a 2.35 GAA and a .920 save percentage.
Prediction
The Blues are on a two game win streak and are favored against the Blackhawks but the one thing Chicago has been good at this season is staying in games. Each of their 3 losses have been by one goal and three of their games have gone under. The Blackhawks can keep games tight and close and could pull off the upset with a travel weary Blues team returning from the west coast. BEST BET: CHICAGO PL +1.5
