The National Hockey League (NHL) is set for an exciting Wednesday night, featuring a total of five games, with the St. Louis Blues facing off against the Washington Capitals in the only nationally-televised matchup on TNT/HBO Max/truTV. The remaining four games will be available on ESPN+.
As sports fans gear up for the action, opportunities abound for single plays and parlays that could be paired with NBA or NCAA basketball games. Bettors are encouraged to seize the day with potential strategies for enhancing their experience.
In the spotlight game, the St. Louis Blues (4-7-2) travel to the Capital One Arena to take on the Washington Capitals (6-5-1) at 7:30 p.m. ET. This matchup marks an intriguing face-off between two teams in need of a win. The Blues recently broke a winless streak of seven games with a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils, benefiting from Jordan Binnington’s strong performance, including 24 saves and crucial goals from Dalibor Dvorsky and Pius Suter.
On the flip side, the Capitals experienced a rough patch following a strong start, going 6-2-0 in their first eight games but collapsing to 0-3-1 in their last four, being outscored 15-5. In their most recent outing, the Capitals lost in a shootout against the Buffalo Sabres. As they prepare for this game against the Blues, the Capitals will aim to regain their form on home ice.
The matchup highlights a critical moment for both teams, as the Capitals look to remedy their struggles, while the Blues hope to build on their recent success. The Capitals are favored at -145 to win, with a projected total of 6.5 goals favoring a low-scoring affair.
In a later game, the Chicago Blackhawks (5-5-3) will face the Vancouver Canucks (7-7-0) at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The history of this matchup is heavily tilted in favor of the Canucks, who have won 11 consecutive meetings against the Blackhawks, controlling the series with a decisive 44-18 goal differential during that span. However, the Blackhawks are facing challenges, currently winless in their last three games, and looking for their first regulation win of this six-game road trip.
As the Canucks seek to maintain their dominance, expectations will be high for their forwards. With recent scoring patterns showing positive trends, betting on the game’s total over 5.5 goals could be a smart play, especially given Vancouver’s track record.
As fans anticipate a thrilling night of hockey, the excitement is palpable, and the potential for memorable moments looms large. Whether you’re placing bets or simply enjoying the games, it promises to be a night filled with action and anticipation in the NHL.