Wednesday's Top Expert NHL Picks: The Leafs Will Stay Hot

Check out our top NHL expert picks for Wednesday’s six-game schedule.

Our hockey experts select their top moneyline and Over/Under picks for Wednesday's NHL games (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence is based on a one-to-five star scale).

Top Expert NHL Picks

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SEE ALSO: Top NHL Prop Picks for Wednesday

Top NHL Expert ML Picks

Maple Leafs (-130)

Defense shall win the day in a battle of hot teams.

The Colorado Avalanche’s offense has been completely ridiculous over the team's last 10 games while averaging an incredible 4.9 (!!!) goals per contest and scoring seven goals three times during that run.

What can slow that runaway freight train? A brick wall named Jack Campbell.

The Leafs have gone 9-1 during a spectacular stretch with Campbell patrolling the crease, vaulting into first place in the Atlantic Division. Along with their defensive prowess, the Leafs are slowly starting to score, with sniper Auston Matthews tallying goals in three consecutive games. - Smith

Canucks (-125)

While it seems like the vultures are circling the Canucks and they're just 3-9 straight up on the road, the team is starting to play a little better. Vancouver won its last game in Montreal and held a third-period lead in Boston during the previous contest. Goaltender Thatcher Demko is playing well enough to give the Canucks the edge against a crashing Senators squad.

The Ottawa Senators had recorded one win over eight games prior to the team's COVID-19 break, and they've dropped four straight by a combined score of 21-10 since that time off. The Sens return home now where they're 3-7 straight up, so it is not exactly the most intimidating place for visiting teams to play. - Cullen

Golden Knights (-155)

The Golden Knights just rested for three days between games, and they should be fresh tonight in Anaheim. Meanwhile, the Ducks blew a late 4-1 lead in Los Angeles before winning in a shootout last night.

This difference in rest combined with the talent gap between the two teams on paper makes the Golden Knights a good bet in Anaheim.

The Ducks are 2-4-0 over their last six games, and the Knights are 6-3-0 in their last nine. Vegas already beat the Ducks in a shootout this season, and the Golden Knights went 7-1-0 against them last campaign while outscoring Anaheim 29-13. - Gilbert

Top NHL Expert O/U Picks

Golden Knights-Ducks Over 5.5 goals (-110)

Both the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks are good at putting the puck in the net.

The Ducks are averaging 3.2 goals per game over their past 10 matchups, topping the three-goal mark seven times during that period. Not to be outdone, the Golden Knights are averaging 3.5 goals over their last 10 while scoring three-plus times in six of those contests.

Although the Ducks are only allowing 2.73 goals per game thus far, that ballooned to 3.3 goals allowed over their last three outings. That minor defensive regression, the two teams' scoring ability, and the Ducks playing the second game of a back-to-back will lead to a combined six-plus goals on Wednesday night. - Smith

Flyers-Rangers Under 6 (-112)

The Flyers are reeling and winless in six games, partly because they can’t generate much offense. They've scored just 11 goals in those matchups, and Philadelphia has been Under the total in seven of 10 road games this season. However, Flyers goaltender Carter Hart has posted a .920 save percentage to rebound after his terrible 2020-2021 season, including a .923 mark over five road games.

The Rangers have played just seven home games while going Over the total four times. But goaltender Igor Shesterkin has been outstanding, posting a .933 save percentage despite shaky defense in front of him. The goalies will dominate this game. - Cullen

Avalanche-Maple Leafs Over 6 (+100)

The Avalanche and Maple Leafs are two of the NHL's most exciting offensive teams. The Avalanche average a league-high four goals per game, with Toronto in the middle of the pack but scoring a lot recently. The Leafs just scored four-plus goals in three straight games out west.

The total has gone Over in eight of the Avs' last 10 games, and that trend will continue tonight. The Leafs have also helped to produce Overs in two of their last three contests.

Colorado and Toronto should put up at least a few goals each to hit the Over tonight. - Gilbert

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