NHL Mid-Week Picks: Western Conference Teams Take Center Stage

The betting online for NHL scores is picking up steam as the NHL standings are becoming tighter. Super Bowl betting is in full swing as well, but once the big football game is over people will focus their attention on the NHL playoff race. Hockey fans can do themselves a favor by getting involved in the NHL betting excitement now by taking a look at the mid-week games on the NHL schedule.

Wednesday – Vancouver Canucks @ Phoenix Coyotes

It is not a surprise to see the Vancouver Canucks at the top of the Western Conference standings after the All-Star break. For the past several years, the Canucks have made a habit of dominating during the regular season. But in their last 10 games the Canucks are 4-2-4 and are letting valuable points slip away. That is not to say that the Canucks run the risk of falling out of playoff contention. There is no fear of that. But the Canucks may be in a streak that a team like the Phoenix Coyotes can take advantage of.
Right before the Christmas break, the Phoenix Coyotes were left for dead. The push they had to the top of the Western Conference last season after the trade deadline was seen as a fluke, and they were considered out of playoff contention. Now the Coyotes are sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference and in control of their own playoff destiny. In their last 10 games the Coyotes are 6-4-0. They are hitting some amazing winning streaks that have pulled them from the bottom of the Western Conference into playoff contention. Look for the Coyotes to be strong at home over a Canucks team that is having a few problems lately.

Pick: Phoenix Coyotes

Wednesday – Los Angeles Kings @ Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are a young team that was supposed to show some kind of promise. As the Oilers sit in the basement of the Western Conference, they are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games and 18 points out of a playoff spot. The Oilers have already assumed the role of spoiler, and are hoping to pick up some momentum to prevent being a total disappointment to Edmonton hockey fans.

As disappointing as the Oilers are to Edmonton, the Kings are becoming frustrating to the fans in Los Angeles. The Kings were riding at the top of the Western Conference in the first half of the season, but injuries and horrible play have caused a tragic fall from grace. The Kings are in 11th place in the Western Conference, but they are only one point out of a playoff spot. The Kings are riding a three-game winning streak and need to build some momentum if they are going to contend for a playoff spot.

Pick: Los Angeles Kings

Thursday – Minnesota Wild @ Colorado Avalanche

There is a fierce battle in the Western Conference for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Colorado Avalanche is tied with the San Jose Sharks at 56 points for that last spot. The Avalanche needed the All-Star break desperately as the team was 4-5-1 in the 10 games leading up to the break. The Avalanche have been having problems at home lately, but they do have the talent to turn their season around.

The Minnesota Wild is sitting at 55 points, and a win over the Avalanche puts the Wild into the playoff hunt. The Wild are 14-8-3 on the road and 6-4 in their last 10 games before the All-Star break. The Wild also won their last game before the All-Star break over the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks 4-2. The Wild are on a roll, and they play very well on the road.

Pick: Minnesota Wild

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