Best NHL Bets Today: NHL Picks, Odds & NHL Predictions for 10/18
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FREE NHL Picks & Best Bets for 10/18:
- ⭐ Detroit and Pittsburgh Over 6.5 Goals (-122) at FanDuel
- ⭐ Ottawa Over 3.5 Goals (-120) at DraftKings
- ⭐ Alex Ovechkin Anytime Goal (+115) at BetMGM
- ⭐ Erik Karlsson Over 0.5 Powerplay Points (+180) at BetMGM
Wednesday night’s NHL Picks slate is a small one with two games on the schedule. Fear not bettors out there, as there are some extra options on the table. Once more, a late game saved our proverbial bacon last night as Vegas came through in the shootout, the teams combined for only five goals, and Jake Oettinger topped 30 saves in defeat for Dallas.
BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel roll into the midweek as our best online betting sites. Wednesday NHL hockey predictions attempt to make sense of the lighter schedule. This is the norm until the season picks up more in November. Also, the gaps between games make for some unusual results, too.
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NHL Picks: Pittsburgh vs. Detroit Odds & NHL Predictions
⭐ Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-122) at FanDuel
The Pittsburgh Penguins are an older team going against a younger team in the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night. This game is nationally televised on TNT, starting at 7:30 pm ET. At press time, Tristan Jarry and Ville Husso. The early part of the season has been odd, but it is clear that Alex DeBrincast has found a good home. He has helped boost the Detroit offense in the early going.
NHL Picks are freaking out a bit, honestly. Again, we suggest going very modestly in October. The first 3-to 4 weeks are especially precarious with early road trips, teams playing inconsistently, etc. It can be hard to get into a betting rhythm. Look at Seattle last night. They scored the first goal and then went flat. Both teams are 2-1 going in for tonight’s contest. Detroit has 13 goals on the season, and Pittsburgh has 11. Surprisingly, both allow less than three goals a game in the early going. At -122 on FanDuel, the Over when it comes to Pittsburgh vs. Detroit predictions is something to target.
Detroit likes to freewheel and play more offensively at home in the early going. Their one game at Little Caesars Arena showed a power play that was far better than last year’s. It is early, but 40% is impressive, even through three games. NHL hockey best bets believe the offenses should win on Wednesday night. It does not hurt that Pittsburgh has an aging defense that can easily yield 30-35 shots or more.
⭐ Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-122) at FanDuel
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NHL Picks: Ottawa vs. Washington Odds & NHL Predictions
⭐ Over 3.5 Goals (-120) at DraftKings
Ottawa and Washington are pretty scary here for Wednesday night. The Washington Capitals look as old as their average age of 30.5. Even the home win versus Calgary required a late comeback that was more luck than anything else. Yes, the Flames and blowing multiple-goal leads is a familiar theme. How does Washington respond on the road against a younger and talented Ottawa squad?
Free NHL picks are torn here because Joonas Korpisalo is projected to start for Ottawa in goal. Korpisalo can be elite one minute and AHL caliber the next. Darcy Kuemper played masterfully in his only start of the season but possesses some of the same inconsistencies. So, how does a bettor play this? With it being this early in October, there are some different angles worth considering.
Now, NHL picks expect some goals based on historical meetings. Watch the Ottawa moneyline as it is starting to come back into the -165 to -175 range. This will fluctuate some before game time, too. Ottawa has looked good at home, winning both games comfortably. Even their contest in Carolina showed a potent offense that needs to avoid miscues. This is a team that has the potential to go on a nice run in October.
Ottawa and Washington predictions take the Ottawa Over at 3.5 goals (-120) . The best NHL bets hedge a little by considering the Ottawa Puckline at +140. Again, do not be constrained or fixated on one wager, Even the Over between the two teams at 6.5 Goals is workable if the number stays in the -115 to -120 range on Wednesday night.
⭐ Recommended Bet: Over 3.5 Goals (-120) at DraftKings
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NHL Picks: Alex Ovechkin Anytime Goal
⭐ Ovechkin Anytime Goal (+115) at BetMGM
Here is where the NHL picks turn into the prop section. On lighter nights, there will be an emphasis on exploring even more in the way of wagers. Anything from shot props to blocked shot props and more will have a place here. Nothing is too out of bounds. For Wednesday night, there is the case of goal-scoring marvel Alex Ovechkin. Guess what? It is two games into the season, and he has no goals.
Free NHL picks do not panic too much here, as Ovechkin ended up with 42 goals last season. The Russian has only four shots and three scoring chances in the early going. That is surprising for a player who is usually very active in October. Keep an eye on his shot prop tonight, too. That number may edge downward.
Okay, the Alex Ovechkin player prop predictions are interested at the anytime goal option currently listed around +115 with FanDuel. It is not often “The Great Eight” is seen in plus territory here. However, Ottawa is a team that Ovechkin has excelled against during his long career.
Ovechkin looks primed to light the red lamp tonight.
⭐ Best NHL Bet: Ovechkin Anytime Goal (+115) at BetMGM
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NHL Picks: Erik Karlsson Over 0.5 Powerplay Points
⭐ Karlsson Over 0.5 Powerplay Points (+180) at BetMGM
Erik Karlsson has one point in three games for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. He has had his chances but only has a secondary assist. The Swedish defense still plays over 24 minutes a night while seeing around three minutes a contest on the power play. Pittsburgh’s power play has Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin with Jake Guentzel. That is a pretty talented group. Free NHL picks explore a fun prop.
NHL picks like the chances he scores his first powerplay point of the season. At +180 via BetMGM , there is the feeling tonight could be the night against a Detroit team that was in the bottom third when it came to penalty killing the past two seasons.
⭐ Best NHL Bet: Karlsson Over 0.5 Powerplay Points (+180) at BetMGM
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Final Words on the NHL Hockey Best Bets Today
The best online betting sites enjoy seeing nine games on the NHL schedule. Be patient and be smart on Tuesday night.
Bruins
BOS
Maple Leafs
TOR
Golden Knights
VGK
Stars
DAL
Kings
LA
Oilers
EDM
Panthers
FLA
Lightning
TB
Hurricanes
CAR
Islanders
NYI
Rangers
NYR
Capitals
WAS
Canucks
VAN
Predators
NSH
Jets
WPG
Avalanche
COL
Oilers
EDM
Kings
LA
Hurricanes
CAR
Islanders
NYI
Panthers
FLA
Lightning
TB
Bruins
BOS
Maple Leafs
TOR
As we look forward to the thrilling NHL matchups for today, there's another exciting development on the horizon for sports betting enthusiasts. As of September 28, Kentucky has officially launched online sports betting, paving the way for the emergence of new sports betting apps in Kentucky. This opens up a new realm of opportunities for fans and bettors alike. Stay tuned for more updates on this front.
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