Wednesday’s Top Computer Picks
We used OddsTrader’s NHL computer predictions to place our bets for tonight’s games, including the Devils vs. Hurricanes and Oilers vs. Golden Knights matchups.
New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Wednesday, May 03, 2023 – 07:00 PM EDT at PNC Arena
Carolina More Experienced
This is set to be a great series between these two defensive teams. That said, we do believe the Carolina Hurricanes have the advantage; they play better two-way hockey and have a more experienced team, this series could be over quicker than some might suspect.
It’s not that the NJ Devils are not a good team, they can’t be jeered for faulting against the Hurricanes. A team who we suggested was a rank outsider in the futures market – at +1200 – a few weeks back. They are now as low as +650.
Expect some low-scoring games in this series, possibly one or two high-scoring ones, and Carolina to win the series 4-2, which is currently priced up at +650 NHL betting odds.
Playoff Stats
| New Jersey Devils | Carolina Hurricanes |
|---|---|
| • The NJ Devils have ranked 21st ATS this season • The Devils come into this road game with an impressive 28-9-4 road record during the regular season and 2-1 thus far in the playoffs • The NJ Devils have allowed the lowest amount of goals per game during this postseason (2.43) | • The Carolina Hurricanes Rank 30th ATS this season • The Hurricanes had the 2nd best goals against record in the regular season (2.55) and currently have the 3rd best postseason record of all the teams remaining • Carolina has won 70% of their previous 10 games against the NJ Devils |
The Pick
Two of the best defensive teams in the NHL make for an unders matchup, and that’s what we are expecting along with the sportsbooks who have juiced the under 5.5 to -128.
It’s rare to see juice this low on an under 5.5 line, but even our OddsTrader Computer is predicting a low-scoring game with a 3-1 scoreline.
It seems the under is the way to go in this first game of the series between two teams who have already seen a combined 7 of their opening 13 go under 5.5, and for argument’s sake, a further three finished with six goals.
OddsTrader Predicted Score: Devils 3 – Hurricanes 1
NHL Pick: Under 5.5 Goals (-128) at SBK
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Wednesday, May 03, 2023 – 09:30 PM EDT at T-Mobile Arena
McDavid vs. Eichel
For the first time in their careers, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel meet in the playoffs, having both been drafted 1st and 2nd in 2015. Although McDavid has lived up to the hype by becoming the best player in the NHL and possibly the world, Eichel is probably ranked somewhere between 25th and 35th.
This is set to be an exciting series between two Pacific division rivals. During the regular season, the Oilers went 3-1 against the Golden Knights, but can they repeat that dominance now that the Knights are back healthy? Well, sort of.
Unfortunately, there are some reports that Mark Stone could be about to go back out injured, which would be a major blow for the Vegas outfit.
The Pick
With the first place and second place in the Pacific division facing off, it’s going to be one hell of an interesting series. This could easily go to seven games or be done in 4/5 to either team (although if there was to be a sweep, we would favor the Oilers).
All four games between these teams during the regular season featured at least seven goals, and tonight there’s every chance we see the over hitting yet again. With such strong offenses and okay defense/goaltending, goals are likely tonight.
Although our computer is predicting a 3-3 scoreline, that doesn’t include the guaranteed overtime winner, which would see seven goals scored, just what we are looking for to cash the over 6.5 total line in this NHL matchup.
Although it’s only one goal more than we need, we feel this game is almost guaranteed to see six goals. We would rather sweat the over than the under here, but we’re confident we won’t have to sweat this one out.
OddsTrader Predicted Score: Edmonton Oilers 3 – Vegas Golden Knights 3
NHL Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (-110) at Bet365
