NHL Picks for Wednesday 11/13/24: Top 5 NHL Predictions

There are five NHL games on Wednesday night, including the Red Wings in Pittsburgh against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins and the Maple Leafs in Washington to skate with Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals. Here are handicapping previews for the five games along with picks and predictions on Sides, Totals, and Puck Line markets on a day where it looks like backing the Favorites is a good idea.

Red Wings vs Penguins Prediction

This Eastern Conference matchup sees the Red Wings (6-7-1, 3-3-0 on Road) in the Steel City to face the Penguins (6-9-2, 3-4-0 at Home) with both coming in off losses, having negative Goal Differentials, and sitting in 7th place in their respective divisions. Pittsburgh has won the last 3 series meeting in games that went well Over the Total (6-3, 6-5 (OT), 6-3) and the Over has cashed on 4 in a row in games averaging 9.5 goals and is 8-2 the last 10 in this series so this Red Wings vs Penguins prediction is easy. Pick: Over 6.5

Maple Leafs vs Capitals Prediction

This Eastern Conference matchup sees the Maple Leafs (9-5-2, 2-3-2 on Road) heading to Washington to play the Capitals (10-4-2, 7-2-0 at Home) in what should be a close and competitive skate with both winning lately. Toronto has won 3 straight while Washington won its last game, 8-1 vs the Blues which saw the visitors score 5 goals in the 3rd Period. With the Leafs 2-3-2 on Road and the Caps playing well at Home and Ovechkin (2 goals vs STL) still strutting his stuff. Toronto has dominated the series of late, going 8-2 in the last 10 and winning the last 4 (21 GF-6 GA). The Totals here have seen Push/Over/Under alternate the last 8 meetings (POUPOUP). Lean to the visitors in this Capitals vs Maple Leafs Prediction because of the series Trend. Pick: Maple Leafs -105

Hurricanes vs Hockey Club Prediction

This inter-conference skate from the Beehive State sees the Hurricanes (11-3-0, 5-2-0 on Road) blow into Salt Lake City to trade elbows with the Utah Hockey Club (5-5-2, 2-3-1 at Home). Carolina defeated the Golden Knights in Las Vegas on Monday while Utah lost to the Predators and have been shut out in 2 of its last 3 games. The Hurricanes swept this series last year when the franchise was still the Arizona Coyotes, winning 3-1 and 5-1 so this Hurricanes vs Coyotes prediction is to take Sebastian Aho and the better team and one which is actually scoring goals. Pick: Hurricanes -162

Golden Knights vs Ducks Prediction

The Golden Knights (9-4-2, 1-3-2 on Road) were humbled in the Fortress on Monday by the Hurricanes, so look for VGK to polish their armor here vs the Not So Mighty Now Ducks (5-7-2, 3-4-0 at Home) who are tied with the Canadiens, Blue Jackets, and Predators with the fewest Points in the NHL (12). This Golden Knights vs Ducks prediction and free NHL pick comes down to two things: Anaheim is pretty bad and VGK has dominated the series, going 25-8 lifetime vs Anaheim and outscoring them 3.7 gpg to 2.2 gpg. Pick: Golden Knights -192

Kings vs Avalanche Prediction

This Western Conference meeting sees the first-place (Pacific Division) Kings (9-5-3, 5-4-2 on Road) at the Pepsi Can in Denver to face the Avalanche (8-8-0, 5-5-0 at Home) who are again off to one of their sluggish starts. Nathan MacKinnon (30 points) and Colorado are 7-3 in the last 10 series meetings but have lost 2 of the last 3 meetings at Home. After 5 straight Overs in the series, the last 2 have gone Under. The Avalanche vs Kings prediction here is for Colorado to wake up and win a close one and protect the Home ice. Pick: Avalanche -140