NHL Odds & Best Bets for Sabres vs Penguins, Bruins vs Avalanche on Wednesday, October 16

NHL Odds & Best Bets for Sabres vs Penguins, Bruins vs Avalanche on Wednesday, October 16 article feature image
Credit:

China Wong/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins

Check out our NHL odds with our expert picks and predictions for the hockey slate on Wednesday, October 16.

Tonight's hockey schedule features four games, including the nationally televised NHL on TNT doubleheader.

Our hockey pros have pored over the Wednesday NHL odds board, and they've focused on those two TNT games: Sabres vs. Penguins (7 p.m. ET) and Bruins vs. Avalanche (9:30 p.m. ET).

Below, check out the latest NHL odds and their best bets with the two moneyline picks for those TNT games tonight.

NHL odds for matchups as of Wednesday afternoon and via FanDuel. Bet on the NHL with our FanDuel promo code.


NHL Odds & Best Bets

The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our NHL betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.

GameTime (ET)Pick
Buffalo Sabres LogoPittsburgh Penguins Logo
7 p.m.
Boston Bruins LogoColorado Avalanche Logo
9:30 p.m.
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.


Sabres vs. Penguins

Buffalo Sabres Logo
Wednesday, October 16
7 p.m. ET
TNT & truTV
Pittsburgh Penguins Logo
Sabres (+114)
DraftKings  Logo

By Nick Martin

The Sabres are off to a 1-3-0 start, and suddenly, we are seeing clips of their captain Rasmus Dahlin fighting teammates at practice. The Sabres (-105) may not look like an overly appealing bet right now, but the gap between them and the Penguins (-115) looks narrower than the current price suggests.

The kind of incident we saw between Dahlin and Peyton Krebs at practice doesn't need to be viewed as a bad thing. It's indicative of the kind of competitive level the Sabres have lacked in recent years, and it's happened on plenty of successful rosters in the past (such as the 2018-19 Blues).

The Sabres' overall game has actually looked quite strong in their past two matchups, though, and the desire to turn things around immediately feels palpable. They played well in a 5-2 win over the Panthers last time out, and they were probably even better despite a losing result one game previous against the Kings.

All four of the Sabres matchups have come against teams that will go to the playoffs this season; their other two games came against the Devils. In those four matchups, the Sabres hold a 52.8% expected goal share at even strength.

The Penguins, meanwhile, have roughly the same amount of question marks as the Sabres, including a goaltending situation that looks pretty iffy.

Tristan Jarry was a question mark entering the year after an ugly finish to the 2023-24 campaign. He's posted an .868 save % thus far. Whether they do hand this start to Jarry or Joel Blomquist, the Sabres have a goaltending edge with either option in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi.

At +105 or better, I see value backing the Sabres to earn two much-needed points tonight.

Pick: Sabres (+114 at DraftKings)

Phone With the Action App Open
The must-have app for NHL bettors
The best NHL betting scoreboard
Free picks from proven pros
Live win probabilities for your bets


Bruins vs. Avalanche

Boston Bruins Logo
Wednesday, October 16
9:30 p.m. ET
TNT & truTV
Colorado Avalanche Logo
Bruins (+102)
FanDuel Logo

By Greg Liodice

I don’t think anyone predicted this kind of start for the Colorado Avalanche. A 0-3 start with two losses by four goals? Considering the star power this team has, it’s purely baffling.

How is it possible that a team that is solid defensively, with high-end superstars up front, can lose that poorly?

It tells you everything you need to know about who’s in net. Alexandar Georgiev is a bad goalie, and he’s proven that he’s, at best, a backup netminder. Last season, he started over 60 games with a sub .900 SV% with a 5.0 goals saved above expected (GSAx). This season, he’s somehow gotten even worse with a horrid .790 SV% and a league-worst -7.7 GSAx.

I don’t even think Justus Annunen is that much better. He seemed like a viable replacement last season, but in two games played, he’s allowed four goals on 17 shots faced.

Tonight the Avalanche (-132) face the Boston Bruins (+110). Although they come into town with underlying numbers that don’t seem good, the B’s keep pulling out the stops. I wouldn’t be alarmed at the fact that they’re bottom 10 in both expected goals and xGA/60; both times they got beat were from the defending Stanley Cup champions in the Florida Panthers.

We also haven’t seen Brad Marchand light the lamp yet – while Elias Lindholm and Mark Kastelic (!) are leading the charge in Beantown. Through four games, I was not expecting Kastelic to have more points than David Pastrnak, but here we are. I don’t foresee that continuing, but the Bruins continue to be a factory of producing talent.

I think many didn’t know what to expect out of Boston, especially with the Jeremy Swayman situation looming. However, with Swayman back, I only anticipate the B’s getting better. It won’t be pretty for whoever is in net for the Avs.

Pick: Bruins (+102 at FanDuel)



About the Author
Action Network is a team of seasoned sports betting experts specializing in a broad range of sports, from the NFL and NBA to less mainstream options like cricket and darts. Their staff includes well-known analysts like Sean Koerner and Stuckey, recognized for their accurate predictions and deep sports knowledge. The team is dedicated to delivering expert analysis and daily best bets, ensuring bettors are well-informed across all major sports.

Follow Action Network Staff @ActionNetworkHQ on Twitter/X.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.