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Tides’ Takes: Free NHL Betting Picks For Today – Wednesday, Feb. 23

Timothy Buell Wed 2/23 12:01pm PT
Nazem Kadri is in a good spot to hit his player prop this evening.
Image Credit: Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Welcome to this new article for ScoresAndOdds, where we will offer betting picks and advice for multiple sports that are happening on a given day.

Now that the NFL season has unfortunately come to an end, we will be focusing on NHL odds and bets for the foreseeable future. We will also be throwing in some traditional parlays and some same game parlays as we see fit.  

Make sure to use our tools at ScoresAndOdds to find the best lines at your favorite legal sportsbook.  

Due to the NBA All-Star Break we only have a five-game NHL slate to choose from, so let’s get started!

Free NHL Betting Picks For Today

Buffalo Sabres @ Montreal Canadiens

Despite both teams having issues scoring goals, they are both trendy at preventing them.  The Canadiens have allowed the most goals in the NHL by a healthy margin, while the Sabres have allowed the fifth most. 

Image Credit: Ron Chenoy/USA TODAY Sports

The Canadiens have put up at least three goals in four straight and are playing much better hockey now that they have a new coach. 

However, this team will be looking to move some of their veteran pieces before the deadline, and I expect the growing pains to continue in a big way. 

The Sabres are in a similar situation, as they have some really good offensive pieces and Alex Tuch has been a good addition that came over in the Eichel trade. 

Combine these teams’ terrible defenses, and I think we have a recipe for some soft goals and good expected value at hitting this over. 

Colorado Avalanche @ Detroit Red Wings

Dylan Larkin hurt himself in practice yesterday and is currently listed as day-to-day.  That does not bode well for this below average Red Wings squad, which is going up against arguably the best team in hockey. 

If the Red Wings were to be without Larkin, they would be without their best two-way player, which would be a void too big for them to fill.

If Larkin does in fact play, it might hurt the value of this wager, but it is still a gamble worth making. 

The Av’s are so deep as a unit, and are so much better in every facet of the game, that they should dominate. 

Another note on this game is that teams are not as good as expected coming off of bye weeks. Teams tend to come back a little rusty and sluggish. They will have no chance in this game if they come out less than 100%.  

NHL Player Prop – Nazem Kadri

Regardless of the Larkin news, I expect Kadri to be going up against the depth of the Red Wings, which should allow him to have open looks at the net. 

Kadri doesn’t like to pass the puck and is very much a shoot-first player. He averages just below 3.5 shots per game, but given the fact that I expect to dominate possession, he should have more opportunities around the opposing net. 

I really like the plus money that this NHL player prop line offers, and in the long run, this bet should be a plus expected value scenario. Kadri also gets time on the top power play unit, and that only adds to his shooting opportunities.