Top Shelf Picks: NHL Best Bets Today (Predictions for Canucks-Avalanche, Ducks-Sharks, Blues-Kings)

Breaking down the NHL best bets for the three-game slate on Wednesday, April 1.

The Ducks and Sharks combined for 22 goals in their first two meetings. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

We enter the final month of the NHL season with a three-game slate on Wednesday night.

I’m looking at a big underdog and two totals for my NHL picks tonight.

Read on as I break down my NHL best bets – and their odds at the best betting sites – for Wednesday, April 1.

NHL Best Bets for Wednesday, April 1

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

• Vancouver Canucks +2.5 (-125) at Colorado Avalanche
• Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks OVER 6.5 (-130)
• St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings UNDER 5.5 (-115)

Vancouver Canucks +2.5 (-125) at Colorado Avalanche

The best team in the league hosts the worst team, but a -2.5 puck line in the NHL is simply disrespectful.

The Canucks kept it close against the Avalanche back in December, falling 3-1 in Colorado. They also forced overtime against the Avs in November.

Cale Makar may miss some time due to injury for the Avalanche, which would impact their scoring ability.

It’s not an overly strong play, but I have to take +2.5 at -125 odds.

Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks OVER 6.5 (-130)

The Sharks host the Ducks in an important California clash. Anaheim is pushing for the top spot in the Pacific, while San Jose looks to get back into a playoff spot.

The first two meetings between these two teams went well OVER the total, with Anaheim winning 7-6 in overtime back in October and the Sharks getting a 5-4 win in December.

The Ducks play open hockey, leading to a 42-30-2 record to the OVER this season. I think that continues tonight in San Jose, especially with the Sharks coming off a 5-4 win.

St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings UNDER 5.5 (-115)

The Blues and Kings just both played high-scoring games, but that’s the exception to the norm recently.

St. Louis allowed three goals during its four-game winning streak prior to its 5-4 loss in San Jose, and the Kings have had trouble scoring themselves recently.

Los Angeles doesn’t mind playing low-scoring games, especially at home, and that should be the case tonight against the Blues.

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