2023 NHL Wednesday Match-Up Odds, Predictions & Analysis.
NHL Wednesday Heats Up the Ice
NHL matchups today offer a modest five games on the schedule, so let’s start our NHL predictions preview by going down to the Lone Star State where the first-place Carolina Hurricanes (29-9-8, 67 points) take on the first-place Dallas Stars (28-13-8, 64 points) a game that could be a Stanley Cup Final preview.
We’ll dive into that game from a betting perspective in addition to the New York Rangers (26-14-7, 59 points) going north of the border to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (29-11-8, 66 points). Then we’ll finish off our NHL Wednesday matchups odds preview with a glance at the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-30-3, 31 points) at the Edmonton Oilers (27-18-3, 57 points).
Must-Watch Television
Carolina Hurricanes vs Dallas Stars 
Game: Hurricanes +57 units ML, 22-23 O/U vs Stars -40 units ML, 18-27 O/U
Date, Time & Streaming:
Moneyline: Hurricanes -112, Stars -107
Puckline: Hurricanes -1.5 (+220), Stars +1.5 -275
Total: 6 u -120
Interesting line move in this one after the Stars and Hurricane opened -110 each way. Bettor raced to take advantage of a number they don’t see much involving the Carolina Hurricanes, pushing them into the favorite roll on the road.
73% of the early tickets are on the Canes’ but we feel that won’t be the right side in the game with special teams playing a significant role. If there is one thing to nitpick about Carolina is that their man advantage has to get better before the postseason.
With a success rate of just over 18%, good for 26th in the league, we’ll get a glimpse of what could happen when they go on the road in the postseason against a team who is powerful 5 on 4, which Dallas Stars possesses with a success rate of 26% (6th).
Carolina, unbeaten in their last five games, have been hiding in the shadow of the Boston Bruins this season, but their nine regulation losses are almost as impressive and perhaps the Bruins’ incredible NHL season allows the pressure to be off Rod Brind’Amour’s team.
For us, there are still questions. With all that success their goal differential is just +27, seventh in the league.
That means they’re winning many one-goal games and when they face a team like Dallas (+42, 2nd) we think you’ll see that extra push from the power play won’t be there against the better NHL teams. The bettors got this one wrong, take the Stars and the under.
New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs 
Game: Rangers -268 units, 20-26 O/U vs Leafs -102 units, 20-27 O/U
Date, Time & Streaming:
Moneyline: Maple Leafs -160, Rangers +135
Puckline: Maple Leafs -1.5 +155, Rangers +1.5 -185
Total: 6 u -120
This is shaping up to be pros vs joes match-up with most of the early tickets coming in on the New York Rangers. That makes sense considering East Coast books are open and the tri-state market is on fire for sports wagering. Naturally, they’re lining up to bet on the Rangers with 58% of the early tickets on New York.
The professionals see it differently after pushing the money from Toronto -145 to a consensus -162. Although both teams won their previous games in impressive fashion, we like to bet on good teams who may have a chip on their shoulder, which the Rangers should after getting outshot (35-26) and in some cases outplayed by the Florida Panthers.
If you watched the post-game press conference head coach Gerard Gallant’s tone wasn’t one that suggested he was happy with the effort.
For bettors, we never know what we’re going to get with Toronto Maple Leafs. Are we getting the team who overcame an early deficit against the New York Islanders, Monday, to take a 5-2 decision, or do we rely on the team who lost to the Montreal Canadiens, Saturday? Usually, the Leafs own a massive advantage at home, but the Rangers are one of the few teams to have success at Scotiabank Arena, winning 12 of their last 17 visits. New York is an inviting +140 and our suggestion is to take the plus money and the over.
Ice Chips
Vancouver Canucks vs Seattle 
Game: Canucks 19-25-3, 41 points vs Seattle 27-14-5, 59 points
Date, Time & Streaming:
Normally this game wouldn’t be included in our Ice Chips section with the Vancouver Canucks wallowing below .500, but with new head coach Rick Tocchet behind the bench, it will be interesting to see how his impact will be felt against one of the better teams in the league.
When a new head coach comes into town bettors usually load up on them because they know that the team will be out to impress the new boss. Early wagering shows the public all over the Canucks with 60% of the tickets and we’ll agree with that. Take the big plus money with the Vancouver Canucks along with the over 6.5.
Wait For the Highlights
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers 
Game: Jackets 14-30-3, 31 points vs Oilers 27-18-3, 57 points
Date, Time & Streaming:
Our NHL Wednesday matchups odds and picks column wouldn’t be complete without giving some love to those who need it the most. Let’s have some fun in this one by taking the Columbus Blue Jackets (+310) and the over 6.5 (-130).
This looks like an easy wager with the Edmonton Oilers owning the Jackets over the years, but after the Jackets stole a point in Calgary, we should be getting a team who has some confidence.
The Jackets could have been in a position to win in regulation if Johnny Gaudreau didn’t fail to convert a penalty shot against his former team.
That does it for our NHL Wednesday matchups odds. This column swept the board yesterday, let’s go back and get some more tonight.
For NHL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
