It’s crunch time in the NHL as teams are down to their final few games of the regular season. The playoff spots in the Eastern Conference are all set while the West still has a few slots open.
There are just four games on tap tonight. Vegas and Dallas are both locked in races for a playoff spot. Vegas is tied with Vancouver with 87 points. Dallas sits one spot behind Nashville in the Central Division but the Stars have 91 points.
With playoff berths still up for grabs, here are the NHL Over/Under picks for Wednesday, April 20th 2022.
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers
Pick: UNDER 6.5
When you think Edmonton, you normally think Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, their recently improved goaltending may make you think otherwise.
The Oilers have won their last two games each by a score of 4-0. The goaltending has improved to the point where the last six straight Oilers games have gone Under the total.
Dallas has also trended Under recently with four of their last six games resulting in the Under. The Stars just beat Tampa Bay 1-0.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Arizona Coyotes
Pick: UNDER 6.5
Arizona has lost seven in a row and has nothing left to play for having been eliminated from playoff contention. In five of their seven current losses, the Coyotes managed just a single goal. Arizona ranks 31st in the NHL in scoring.
The Blackhawks aren’t much better. They have one win in their last ten games. Chicago was shutout in two of the losses, but they have scored more than Arizona. Not much more as the Blackhawks are just 27th in the league in scoring.
Neither team will score enough to push this total past 6.5.
Washington Capitals vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Capitals vs. Golden Knights Picks
Pick: OVER 6
It’s a must-win for Vegas as they do not want to miss the playoffs. Washington is coming off a huge upset of Colorado and the Capitals have the NHL’s best road record at 24-8-5.
The Over is 4-1 in the Golden Knights last five home games and the Over is 5-2 in the past seven head- to-head meetings between Washington and Vegas.
The Caps have won six of their last seven games. They scored six in a win over Pittsburgh, nine against Philly, and eight just four days ago against Montreal.
Vegas will have to keep pace with Washington if they are going to pull out a win. That takes this game Over the total.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Seattle Kraken
Pick: OVER 6.5
Seattle and Overs don’t normally go together, but recently the Kraken have been finding the net. Seattle has scored four goals in each of their last two games and managed to put in three against Calgary.
Colorado is always ready to blow up a scoreboard. In the last week and a half or so, the Avalanche has scored seven goals against Carolina – the top goaltending team in the NHL – and they put up nine more against the Los Angeles Kings.
The last time these two teams played the total went Over. It will again tonight.