Hockey Betting - Wednesday NHL Playoff Picks

As hockey betting rages on, the hate in each series is on the rise and many of the matchups are becoming more like boxing odds battles than hockey games. There's no point paying attention to poor Montreal's plight, so let's explore some other NHL odds for tonight.

Capitals vs Rangers odds: Game 4 tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden
NHL lines: Capitals -150, Rangers +130

What a difference a game can make in online betting. Whether it was Ovechkin's spying tactics or reduced pressure playing on the road, something clicked for the Capitals and they looked reborn in Game 3. Not only did the "big three" of Ovechkin/Backstrom/Semin combine for eight points, but the forwards backchecked as well as they have all season and rookie netminder Simeon Varlamov shone brightly. Naturally, the Rangers will always have the goaltending advantage with King Henrik Lundqvist in goal, but Washington only needs to be somewhat close in that department. Varlamov, who has experience in the World Junior Championship and Russian Super League hockey betting, has been cool as a cucumber, stopping 56 of 57 shots in two games since taking over the starting job. Given that he seems poised to keep the scores close, the Caps look like a great sportsbook pick to even up the series on Wednesday. Look for Ovechkin to notch his first goal of the series, too.

Online betting pick: Capitals -150

Blackhawks vs Flames odds: Game 4 tonight, 10:00 p.m. ET at Pengrowth Saddledome
NHL Lines: Blackhawks +135, Flames -155

For the first time all series, the Blackhawks looked off their game Monday night in their Game-3 loss to the Flames. While both teams combine skill and grit nicely, the Flames' style seems to cater slightly more to the "grit" side, and they got under the young Hawks' skin on Monday night. Playing at home in front of the Sea of Red again, the Flames likely won't change their strategy in this NHL betting matchup .Bet on Calgary to bully Chicago again as the Flames even up what is rapidly becoming the most exciting series in the Stanley Cup odds so far this season.

Online betting pick: Flames