Mark Lammey
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After just 2 games last night, we have our first full slate of games for the 2022-23 NHL season. None of the teams in action tonight have played their first meaningful games, so we’re about to find out a lot about the offseason moves. We’ve broken down how those new acquisitions should affect tonight’s matchups and come up with the best 3 plays to piece together for an incredible payout. Before we dive in, be sure to check out our NHL picks for today’s action.
Columbus Blue Jackets ML (+215) over Carolina Hurricanes
Let’s get things started right off the bat with a nice upset. Looking at last year’s record, this play may seem a bit surprising. However, the Blue Jackets look set to be a much better team and get off to a much better start. First and foremost, Patrik Laine will be healthy to start the season. He’s been Columbus’ best skater for quite some time and still recorded 56 points in his 56 games played last season.
However, he may not even be their best skater anymore. Columbus made arguably the biggest splash of the entire offseason by signing former Flame Johnny Gaudreau. Those who follow regularly know how profitable he was for us last season and he should be again. He chose to go to the Jackets to be closer to home rather than go to a bigger market. He finished last season tied for the 2nd-most points in the NHL with 115 and was the top skater in terms of plus-minus. In other words, when he’s on the ice, way more good things happen than bad. With the Hurricanes losing key skaters like Vincent Trocheck over the summer, Columbus can shock Carolina tonight.
Be sure to check out our Columbus Blue Jackets vs Carolina Hurricanes predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 (-106) over Montreal Canadiens
Now we’re going to transition into one of the biggest mismatches of the night with the Maple Leafs heading up to Montreal. This is a classic rivalry, but it hasn’t seemed that way in recent years. Toronto has had Stanley Cup hopes for a handful of years now and finished behind only the President’s Trophy-winning Panthers in the Atlantic Division last season. Meanwhile, the Canadiens finished dead last in that same division.
Montreal recorded just 55 points the entire season, which is less than half than that of the Leafs. Of course, Toronto still has the reigning MVP in Auston Matthews, who also led the NHL in goals scored last year. Montreal allowed the most goals in the league last season while scoring the 5th-fewest. Both teams were rather quiet in the offseason, but the Canadiens were the ones who needed to improve. The criticism of the Leafs is always focused on their postseason play, but none of that is a concern for their first game of the season.
Be sure to check out our Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens predictions
Edmonton Oilers ML (-200) over Vancouver Canucks
Finally, let’s wrap things up with another play on a high-flying offensive team. The Oilers are another team that is often considered one of the favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup and continue to fall short. They made it to the Western Conference Finals last season and look set for another deep postseason run.
Of course, they are led by Connor McDavid, who again won the Art Ross Trophy for the most points in the NHL. It marked the second time he’s won it in back-to-back years and the Oilers made sure to keep their elite skaters around him. Leon Draisaitl had the 3rd-most points in the league and Evander Kane also stayed with the team. He came to Edmonton following his issues with the Sharks and was a key piece in them advancing in the second round of the playoffs last season.
Meanwhile, the Canucks were all but silent in the offseason. The loudest discussions were about them trading away their best player, J.T. Miller. He’s still with Vancouver, but they lack the offensive depth to keep up with McDavid and company.
Be sure to check out our Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks predictions
Wednesday’s NHL mega parlay (10/12)
Blue Jackets ML (+215)
Maple Leafs -1.5 (-106)
Oilers ML (-200)
Parlay odds: +818
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