Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, March 20

There are three critical games in tonight’s slate of NHL matchups with two of them having huge playoff implications. In the Eastern Conference, one team is looking to add some stability before they see themselves slipping down the standings. For the other team, one team’s misfortunes is another team’s blessings. While in the Western Conference, one team is looking to keep their place in a tight division while the other is trying to claw their way into the Wild Card spot. Look for these potential bets to be even more or less throughout the day on DraftKings.

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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals

• Time: 7:30 PM E.T. - Wednesday

• Moneyline: Maple Leafs (-142) | Capitals (+120)

• Puck Line: Maple Leafs -1.5 (+170) | Capitals +1.5 (-205) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Immediately!

My Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs (TOR)

The race for the Eastern Conference playoffs is approaching the final weeks as teams are looking to make one last statement. The Washington Capitals (33-25-9) recently got the last wild card spot because of the fall of the Detroit Red Wings, but that isn't stopping them from attempting to do more with it. The Toronto Maple Leafs (38-20-9) feel comfortable with their chances for a playoff spot but need to look for consistency right now.

On Wednesday night, the Maple Leafs and Capitals compete for a playoff advantage in the standings. This will be the first time that Toronto and Washington meet on the ice since the October 24 matchup when the Maple Leafs took a 4-1 home victory.

The Maple Leafs are 5-5 in their last 10 games as a part of a brutal schedule which includes two losses to Boston, a loss to Vegas and a current two-game losing streak to Carolina and at Philadelphia. Half of those games saw a bad set of defensive performances while the offense played well in a majority of those games.

While the many losses of the Red Wings have given the Capitals the current Wild Card spot, the Capitals have taken advantage of the opportunity. Washington has won five of the last seven games, including a three-game winning streak. Their defense has played great during that span by allowing four total points in their five games played.

With the exception of the Vancouver Canucks, the Capitals’ defense of below-average offenses in the last ten games played. Toronto is coming into this game with the third-ranked scoring offense in the league (3.58 goals per game). This game has the potential to be a high-scoring game with both offenses playing well within the past few games.

Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings

• Time: 10:00 PM E.T. - Wednesday

• Moneyline: Wild (+130) | Kings (-155)

• Puck Line: Wild +1.5 (-205) | Kings -1.5 (+170) 

• Total: Over 6 (-105) | Under 6 (-115)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Score $150 in Bonus Bets with DraftKings when wagering just $5!

My Pick: Minnesota Wild (MIN)

The final game of the night has a lot of playoff implications in the Western  Conference as the Minnesota Wild (33-27-8) go on the road to take on the Los Angeles Kings (34-22-11). The Kings have the third-place spot in the Pacific Division over the Vegas Golden Knights, but barely. Meanwhile, the Wild are having to fight hard to get into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference despite a great second half to the season.

This game tonight will be the first time that the Kings and the Wild will meet on the ice since October 19 when the Kings took a 7-3 road win. Kings center Pierre-Luc Dubois scored two goals while forward Kevin Fiala accounted for two assists.

After coming out of the NHL All-Star Break winning six of eight games, the Kings have been up-and-down in their consistency. The Kings are 4-4 in their last eight games with wins over bad teams like Ottawa and Chicago twice. In their last four losses, the Kings have only scored one goal each.

The Wild have put themselves back in the conversation of serious playoff contenders as they have accounted for a strong second-half season performance. Minnesota has won six of the last eight games with its only losses to good teams like the St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche in either overtime or a shootout.

The Wild have been playing well within the past few weeks while the Kings are just skating by through the second half of the season. Offensively, the Kings have taken a serious dip in productivity, especially in these past two weeks. Meanwhile, the Wild are confident in their ability to challenge efficient defenses like the Kings.