We are loving the action throughout this impressive NHL season so far. As we move into the final stretch of the season, each division’s ladder has already become well formed. This means that every single win or loss can have a significant impact on the position each team will finish in when the regular season draws to a close, so it is important that you don’t miss any of the action!
Here at SportsTips, we are just as keen on the NHL as you are! We spend each and every day going through the best games and previewing them for you. Our experts offer up their free NHL picks, which means that you not only get enjoyment out of watching some intriguing games, but also make extra cash while doing so!
Look below to find our free NHL picks, as we preview the two games on today’s schedule.
Washington Capitals @ Edmonton Oilers – 8.00PM ET
The Washington Capitals are in the middle of their three game road trip on Wednesday night when they take on the Edmonton Oilers. The Capitals are playing on back-to-back nights, and last time out they beat the Flames, 5-4. The Oilers will be looking to get back on track after losing their last three games in a row, to the Blackhawks, Canadiens and Flames.
Marko Nadin
The Edmonton Oilers are 9th in the Western Conference with a 30-23-4 record and are three points behind the Dallas Stars who hold the last place that leads to the playoffs. The Oilers have lost the last three games and will have a chance to bounce back as they open a five-game home series. The Oilers have won 3 of the last 4 games against Washington, most recently 5-3 in the beginning of February, which was their first matchup after almost three years. Edmonton has won 5 of the last 7 games as favorites but has lost 5 of the last 6 games against teams with winning records.
The Washington Capitals are coming off a huge 5-4 win in Calgary. Currently they are eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 31-18-9 record and have a 12 point advantage over Columbus who is next in the standings. Washington has won the last three games after losing three straight. They are ranked 10th in the league with 3.2 goals per game and 7th allowing 2.7. The Capitals have won 5 of their last 7 road games but have lost 4 of the last 5 games playing without a day off. The home team has won 4 of the last games between these two.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-138)
Tony Battalio
The Washington Capitals picked up a big victory over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday evening by a score of 5-4 on the road. Now they will look to knock off the Edmonton Oilers as well in the second game of their back to back on Wednesday evening in Edmonton. It’ll be a showcase of two of the best players in the National Hockey League as Alexander Ovechkin will face off with Connor McDavid. The Capitals now come into this game with a record of 31-18-9 through their first 58 games of the season. The Capitals are currently in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division.
“Today we went out & worked on a few small details & tried to build up a little confidence.”
With the power play hitting a dry spell, today’s focus was man-advantage work as the #Oilers look to build it back to the weapon it has been for long stretches this season. pic.twitter.com/JR9FVVV74j
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 8, 2022
The Edmonton Oilers come into this game with a record of 30-23-4 through their first 57 games of the season. After a slow start to the season, the Oilers have really stepped up their play as they are looking to make a late season playoff push. If they can find their way into the Stanley Cup playoffs they are a team that is very capable of making a deep run and even winning a Stanley Cup trophy. However, they are currently in a bad run of form as they have lost three in a row and four of their last five games on the season now. As for the result of this game, I have the Oilers breaking that streak with a win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-138)
Jeffery Thomas
The Oilers suffered a tough 1-3 loss at the hands of the Calgary Flames on Monday and got a day off to refresh and get ready for the Capitals on Wednesday. Their offense has been struggling mightily, only averaging 2.5 goals in the last five. In those five games, the under 6 hit three times.
The Capitals are only 1-4 in their last five games on no rest, but it’s hard to have any type of confidence in this Edmonton team right now. The injuries have piled up, as nearly 24% of their offensive production on the season are doubtful to play in this game. The Capitals have seemed to have found their groove recently, which is why my NHL pick is with them.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals (+115)
Montreal Canadiens @ Vancouver Canucks – 10.30PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens wrap up their road trip in Vancouver when they take on the Canucks on Wednesday night. The Canadiens are playing out of their skin lately, winning seven of their last eight games, but because of their poor play for literally the rest of the season, their overall record currently stands at 15-34-7. The Canucks have won five of their last six, including last time out when they beat the Maples Leafs, 6-4.
Marko Nadin
The Vancouver Canucks are 11th in the Western Conference with a 28-23-6 record. The Canucks have won 5 of the last 6 games and are coming off a 6-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canucks are scoring and allowing 2.8 goals per game which ranks them 13th offensively and 23rd defensively. Vancouver has won 8 of the last 9 games going in as favorites and 6 of their last 8 games playing on 3 or more days rest. The Canucks have won 3 of the last 5 games against the Canadiens.
The Montreal Canadiens are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 15-34-7 record. Montreal is having their best period of the season as they have won 7 of the last 8 games. Last year’s Stanley Cup finalists are coming off a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Canadiens are among the bottom two teams in the league in both scoring goals with 2.4 per game and allowed goals with 3.8 per game. Montreal has won their last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game and 5 of their last 6 games following a win.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Vancouver Canucks (-220)
Tony Battalio
The Montreal Canadiens may have made a run to the Stanley Cup Finals last season but I can say with certainty that it certainly won’t happen again this season. The Canadiens come into this game well below the .500 mark on the season as they have a record of 15-34-7 through their first 56 games of the season. They currently find themselves in the basement of the Atlantic Division and that is likely where they will remain for the rest of the regular season. They are currently on a two game winning streak after getting back to back wins over Calgary and Edmonton.
Help select the Canucks @BudweiserCanada Goal of the Year 🚨
Vote & you could win a Bud Red Light & a pair of #Canucks tickets. Must be 19+ to enter.
Round 9 – Will Pettersson’s SHG beat Miller’s coast-to-coast goal?
VOTE | https://t.co/UAfzgJl6L2 pic.twitter.com/PurTR2R46J
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) March 9, 2022
The Vancouver Canucks come into this game playing much better at this point in the season than they were last year. They have already eclipsed their win total from the previous season and have accomplished it in a shorter number of games as well. They come into this game with a record of 28-23-6 as they are only one game below the .500 mark through their first 57 games of the season. They currently find themselves in sixth place in the Pacific Division. They are only two points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. As for the result of this game, I have the Vancouver Canucks getting the victory.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Vancouver Canucks (-220)
Jeffery Thomas
The Canadiens may be one of the worst teams in the league, with nothing to play for down the stretch, but that is not stopping them from going out there every night and still competing. They have now won seven of their last eight games, including wins over the Flames and Maple Leafs, and that has helped them crawl out the bottom spot in the league in points. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that Montreal hadn’t won consecutive games all season until just a few weeks ago, when they beat the Blues on February 17 and the Islanders on February 20. They have really found that groove that had them in the Stanley Cup Final last year and it could be something to build on for next season. For Vancouver, they are also on an impressive run themselves, winning seven of their last nine games after taking down the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday.
In the 6-4 victory the Canucks went up 3-1 early before conceding three goals to fall behind 3-4 heading into the 3rd period. In the final frame, they had three unanswered goals themselves to claim the 2 points and keep their playoff hopes alive. They now sit just 4 points back of the Predators for that second wild card spot in the Western Conference. Montreal continues to be undervalued by the books, but I don’t think this is a spot to back them despite how well they’ve been playing. The Canucks know that every point is precious going forward and Montreal is still a good team to face when you need a quick 2 points. Their offense will possess the majority of the puck, controlling the game throughout, and goalie Thatcher Demko has been in phenomenal form lately. I don’t see the Canucks dropping this very winnable game on home ice, so I’m rolling with them.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Vancouver Canucks (-220)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
