NHL Picks: Packed Pre-Thanksgiving Schedule Offers Betting Opportunities

Article By Chris Wassel

Last Updated: 2022 Nov 23

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NHL Picks: Packed Pre-Thanksgiving Schedule Offers Betting Opportunities

The Wednesday NHL slate is 15 games long because the U.S. has Thanksgiving off tomorrow night. That means there are plenty of NHL betting opportunities today.

Thanks again for following us at gambling.com as we look at the games from a Canadian slant. Let’s keep the hockey rolling!

Toronto Maple Leafs at New Jersey Devils

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in bad shape. Morgan Rielly was put on LTIR due to a knee injury and will miss at least 10 games or 24 days. There is some debate about Toronto’s defense getting better with Rielly out of the lineup, but no debate that they will suffer on offense.

Now, the likely question is, who starts in goal for both teams? It looks like Matt Murray for Toronto versus Vitek Vanecek for New Jersey. Vanecek has been one of those feel-good stories all season. Even a minor injury hasn’t slowed him down. His 9-1 mark has seen the goalie stop the shots the Czechia starter needs to.

Could both teams score a fair share of goals on Wednesday night? It is possible. Toronto and New Jersey combined for only five in their previous meeting last week, but the feeling was both teams left goals on the table.

The Leafs have frustrated Canadian Sports Bettors all season. Despite their record, Toronto is 5-15 against the spread and 6-13-1 when it comes to the Under. Buffalo is only 7-9, by the way, and has lost six consecutive games. Does the dam break a bit tonight?

This contest is on MSG and Sportsnet. Toronto’s moneyline at 2.14 is intriguing. However, we want to see it in the 2.20 to 2.30 range. The Over of 6.5 at 1.84 is something to look at if the number stays there or creeps up to 1.85. Does one believe Toronto could steal this in regulation (2.75)? That is where the real dollars are.

Montreal Canadiens at Columbus Blue Jackets

This is special for the Canadian Sports Bettors on Wednesday night. It is a game that expects to feature little defense. Montreal and Columbus give up scoring chances and shots like an adding machine.

Montreal projects to start Samuel Montembeault, while Columbus counters with Joonas Korpisalo. The problem for Montembeault is how the Canadiens played last night versus Buffalo. They laid down for 135 seconds, and that cost them. Columbus can score some goals, and the Blue Jackets have oddly played better since injuries have wrecked their team. They are 4-1-1 in their previous six contests.

There are some question marks when looking at tonight’s contest. One is that Over 6.5 goals, sitting at 1.83. If that goes up to 7.0, then pass. The offenses could carry the night here. Their penalty kill and team defense against rank in the bottom third of the NHL. Montreal is also taking an increasing amount of penalties (29th in minutes). Could their fatigue help?

The Columbus Moneyline stands at 1.87. That number is representative of a timid favorite. Why? With Columbus looking forward and not back, this could be one of the better numbers on the night.

Edmonton Oilers at New York Islanders

We will likely see goals between Ottawa and Vegas, along with Vancouver and Colorado, but Edmonton and New York are a bit of a question mark. The Oilers struggled mightily at times offensively against New Jersey on Monday night. Edmonton has alternated wins and losses in their previous six games. At 10-9, that is almost expected.

Now, the Islanders expect to start Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been excellent all season for the Islanders. Jack Campbell and Edmonton's goaltending have been anything but good. Even Stuart Skinner looked very ordinary on Monday night. For that reason, the Oilers may need to outscore their defensive issues.

The Oilers’ team total has been shifting around and will be a number to look at. It is risky, but the way Edmonton has played, the Moneyline and three-way have to be in play here tonight. The only thing that makes sense in a season of no sense for the Oilers is that type of fate.