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Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets

Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche (-125, 5.5)

The Avalanche have been the most profitable bet out of the gates this NHL season. However, a recent four-game road swing ended with Colorado going 2-2 and the team is shaping up to be this season’s favorite “bet at home” play.

The Avs returned to the Pepsi Center after back-to-back losses and handed the Phoenix Coyotes a 4-1 beating Wednesday to improve to 5-0 at home. This success isn’t bringing out the Mile High City though. Wednesday night’s attendance was a record-low 11,012 fans – 2,000 less than the previous mark.

"Our job is just to go out and play hockey and our job is to provide entertainment for our fans," head coach Joe Sacco told the Denver Post. "I think that we've done a good job of that this year so far."

Colorado has scored just 20 of its 48 total goals at home this year but has allowed opponents to light the lamp just eight times in those five games.

The Avalanche host a strong Chicago Blackhawks team Friday, and should get some favorable odds from bookmakers. Chicago is having a tough time finding the net, scoring just over two goals per game in its last six outings and posting a 3-3 record in that span. The Blackhawks are 2-2 on the road this season.

Pick: Colorado


Philadelphia Flyers at Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have started the season with piss and vinegar, jumping out to a 9-2-1-0 record. But the NHL schedule makers may have their say in the Sabres’ success before the season is through.

The club begins a rough patch in which it will play three games in four nights for five weeks in a row. That gauntlet has forced Buffalo to bring up top goaltending prospect Jhonas Enroth from the Portland Pirates and could give the budding star his first taste of NHL action as early as Friday night.

He’s 3-7 with a 3.90 GAA and a save percentage of .872 with the minor league club. He was with the Sabres for four games last year but didn’t see any action.

"It's always fun to be here. I'll try to stay ready even when Ryan (Miller) is playing. I prepare for every game like I should play the game,” Enroth told The Buffalo News.

The Sabres’ goaltending is one of the biggest reasons the club has started 3-8-1 over/under. Buffalo has played below the goal total in five straight games, but with Miller wearing down and an untested backup, that one-sided over/under mark could balance out in upcoming games.

Pick: Over