Free NHL Picks Today for Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021

Free NHL Picks Today for Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
Wed 3rd March 2021

There are only 6 games on today but they are shaping up to be big, with 3 top of the table matches in the mix and everything to play for. We went 14/24 on Tuesday for our NHL picks and will be looking to bounce back today.

Washington Capitals @ Boston Bruins – 7.00 PM ET

The Bruins defeated the Rangers 4-1 on Sunday, solidifying their place in 2nd in the East Division, tied with the Islanders, and 2 points behind todays’ opponent, the Capitals.

With a record of 12-5-2, the Bruins are enjoying a strong start to the campaign off the back of their 2019/20 100 point season, Tuukka Rask has been reliable in net, and many players are contributing big points.

This match will be the third meeting between the divisions’ top teams, with both teams winning one a piece in 7 and 8 goal thrillers. 

The Capitals beat the Devils 3-2 on Sunday thanks to a game winning goal from Alex Ovechkin, the victory gave the Capitals their third consecutive win.

Currently sitting atop of the table with a record of 12-5-4, the Capitals are enjoying life in their new division.

Nicklas Backstrom has once again been very important to their success, already providing 25 points in his 14th season with the club. 

NHL Pick – Boston Bruins (-151)
Spread Pick – Boston Bruins -1.5 (+155)
Total Goals Pick – Over 6.0 (-111)

Toronto Maple Leafs @ Edmonton Oilers – 8.00 PM ET

The Maple Leafs once again shut out the Oilers in game 2 of their 3 match series, further solidifying their place at the top of the North Division.

Currently on 36 points, with a record of 17-4-2, the Maple Leafs are looking like a team ready to compete for the Stanley Cup. They beat the Oilers without the help of their star center, Auston Matthews, in his place William Nylander and Morgan Rielly stepped up, both providing a goal and assist.

It will be interesting to see how the Oilers respond in game 3 after consecutive shutouts by the Leafs.

The Oilers didn’t play badly by any means, with 31 shots for the game, 8 more than the Maple Leafs, but nothing seemed to work for them against Hutchison in net.

The Oilers are 14-10-0 going into the final match and will be determined to salvage one game from the series.

NHL Pick – Toronto Maple Leafs (-111)
Spread Pick – Toronto Maple Leafs +1.5 (-312)
Total Goals Pick – Under 6.5 (+100)

St Louis Blues @ Anaheim Ducks – 9.30 PM ET 

The Blues play the Ducks again in the second game of their miniseries, with the first leg going to the Blues in a hard fought 5-4 victory on Monday.

The win moves the Blues into second place in the West Division with a record of 12-8-2, and a division high 72 goals. Zach Michael Sanford stood out, scoring 2 goals and assisting another on the way to their victory.

The Mighty Ducks waited until the end of the game to play some of their best hockey all season, almost completing a massive third term comeback by scoring 3 goals, they ultimately lost though, further cementing their place on the bottom of the table.

The loss marked the Ducks 7th straight, 5 of which they have lost by just 1 goal. It wasn’t all bad though, the Ducks came out and looked much stronger in the third team, and young prospect, Isac Lundestrom, scored 3 goals.

NHL Pick – St Louis Blues (-156)
Spread Pick – St Louis Blues -1.5 (+167)
Total Goals Pick – Over 5.5 (-105)

Minnesota Wild @ Vegas Golden Knights – 10.00 PM ET

The Golden Knights prevailed over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night in a 9 goal thriller to claim the top place in the West Division.

After an impressive 2 goal comeback in the third term to equalise at 4-4, Max Pacioretty scored in overtime to decide the winner. The Knights are now 13-4-1 for the season, having won 3 in a row heading into this match.

Minnesota will be disappointed to have not held out away from home in such a big game, ending their 7 win streak in the process, putting them 12-6-1 for the season for third place in the West.

Marcus Foligno will be filled with confidence going in to the next game though, providing 2 goals and an assist for the Wild to end a 2 game point drought.

NHL Pick – Vegas Golden Knights (-140)
Spread Pick – Minnesota Wild +1.5 (-192)
Total Goals Pick – Over 5.5 (-111)

Arizona Coyotes @ Los Angeles Kings – 10.00 PM ET

The Coyotes lost 6-2 on Saturday against the Avalanche, the second loss to them in their 2 game miniseries. That loss brings their season record to 9-9-3, 6th place in the West Division.

They were outclassed by the Avs, struggling to create offensive opportunities, Antti Raanta played his 4th game in net, making a solid 35 saves, however, they gave the Avs too many scoring opportunities in the end.

Los Angeles are also coming off back to back defeats in their own miniseries against the Wild, going down 3-1 on Friday, and 4-3 on Saturday.

The Kings are 9-7-4 for the season, one point above the Coyotes with 1 less game played. The two teams have played each other twice already this season, with the Kings coming out on top in both of those games.

NHL Pick – Los Angeles Kings (+100)
Spread Pick – Arizona Coyotes +1.5 (-250)
Total Goals Pick – Under 5.5 (-135)

Colorado Avalanche @ San Jose Sharks – 10.30 PM ET

The Avalanche lost to the Sharks 5-2 on Monday after giving up 3 goals in the final term of what had otherwise been a close game. The loss puts the Avs 11-7-1 for the season, 4th place in the West Division.

Failing to convert their chances, and turning the puck over too much were big contributors to the defeat. They go into the second tie of the series once again without the help of Cale Makar and Bo Byram in defense. 

San Jose picked up a much needed win against the Avalanche, having lost the first 2 games of their 7 game home series. The win moves the Sharks out of bottom place in the division, with a record of 8-9-2.

Timo Meier bagged 3 assists in the win, however, Martin Jones was the star of the show in net for the Sharks, making 33 saves with a .943 save rate.

NHL Pick – Colorado Avalanche (-227)
Spread Pick – San Jose Sharks +1.5 (-135)
Total Goals Pick – Over 6.0 (-111)

The 2021 NHL is well underway now! If you want to catch up with all the latest information, make sure you visit our NHL hub page.

*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of Bet365.

Connor is a passionate writer and sporting fanatic, with a focus on all things soccer, NBA, and NHL. Happy to chew your ear off about his beloved Tottenham Hotspur, or talk odds on the latest ball game. Connor always delivers the latest in breaking news, matchday analysis and predictions.