NHL game odds (Oct. 15): Back this team on the puck line Wednesday

In this article I’ll outline the most noteworthy news and notes surrounding Wednesday’s NHL slate, and I’ll also offer up my best bet from the four-game card.

Best Bet: Utah Mammoth -1.5 +110 (bet365, Play to +100)

Entering the season I was quite low on the Calgary Flames, and based on their shaky start to the season, that take is trending in the right direction. 

The Flames were able to grind their way to 96 points last season, despite ranking 29th in goals scored per game and finishing with a -13 goal differential. There aren’t arguments that suggest the team will be more competent offensively this season, which should force them to steal a lot of closely contested games to find success. 

Aging veterans Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau led the team in points but they’re not likely to improve upon that production this season, and if anything, may take steps backward. As Huberdeau is currently sidelined with a concussion, there’s a lot of pressure on Kadri and young talents such as Matt Coronato and Connor Zary to play to their ceiling. 

Through four games, the Flames hold a -8 goal differential and a 45.63% expected goal share. Given that the Flames aren’t a team that is likely to finish chances off at a better than average rate, it’s particularly concerning that they are now also owning less of the overall run of play compared to last season. 

The Flames are playing the second leg of a travelling back-to-back in this matchup and started star netminder Dustin Wolf Tuesday. As a result, this will likely be backup Devin Cooley’s season debut. Cooley owns an .870 save percentage in six NHL appearances and he posted an .846 save percentage in three preseason appearances.

The Mammoth should be prepared to offer an inspired performance in their home opener, after a frustrating 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. 

While a 1-2 start isn’t overly impressive for a Mammoth side that is widely expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, their overall level of play has not been concerning. They lost 2-1 to the Colorado Avalanche in a well-played season opener and bested the Nashville Predators with a solid effort before suffering an unlucky loss to the Blackhawks on Monday.

Through three games they hold an expected goal share of 51.29% and have looked more or less fine despite their record.

Given the favorable spot and a Flames side that has not looked very formidable, I’m happy to back Utah covering the puck line at a price of +110.

Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres

Senators moneyline odds	-120
Sabres moneyline odds	+105
Game total	Over 6 goals (-105), Under 6 (-115)
Time	7 p.m. ET

All odds courtesy of bet365.

• The Senators will be without captain Brady Tkachuk, who is expected to miss at least four weeks with a wrist injury.
• Drake Batherson will make his 2025-26 debut after missing the first three games of the year with an upper-body injury. He should be a safe bet to skate in the top six and overtake Tkachuk’s vacated spot on the top power-play unit.
• The Sabres will be looking to avoid an 0-4 start, which would likely put head coach Lindy Ruff on the hot seat. 
• Zach Benson, Jordan Greenway, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returned to practice Tuesday. Benson is expected to play in tonight’s matchup.
• The Sabres won all four matchups between these Atlantic Division rivals last season.

Florida Panthers vs Detroit Red Wings

Panthers moneyline odds	-140
Red Wings moneyline odds	+120
Game total	Over 6 goals (+100), Under 6 (-120)
Time	7 p.m. ET

• The Panthers enter off a 5-2 loss in Philadelphia on Monday. The Flyers led 5.59 to 2.82 in expected goal share in that matchup and were very deserving winners.  
• The Panthers are 3-1-0 despite playing without top forwards Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. However, they have had a soft schedule, with wins over the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Ottawa Senators. 
• Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan has confirmed that star winger Lucas Raymond will miss this matchup with an upper-body injury. Mason Appleton skated in Raymond’s spot on the top line at the morning skate.
• The Red Wings won two of three matchups between these teams last season. 

Calgary Flames vs Utah Mammoth

Flames moneyline odds	+185
Mammoth moneyline odds	-225
Game total	Over 6 goals (-110), Under 6 (-110)
Time	9:30 p.m. ET

• The Flames will be playing the second leg of a travelling back-to-back after losing at home Wednesday versus the Vegas Golden Knights. 
• Devin Cooley is expected to start in goal for the Flames. Cooley holds an .870 save percentage in six NHL appearances and struggled to a .846 save percentage in three preseason appearances.
• This matchup is Utah’s home opener. It played to a record of 18-15-8 during its inaugural season on home ice.
• Sean Durzi will miss this matchup due to injury.
• Highly touted rookie defender Zayne Parekh could be a healthy scratch candidate in this matchup after a very shaky performance Tuesday versus the Golden Knights.

Chicago Blackhawks vs St. Louis Blues

Blackhawks moneyline odds	+195
Blues moneyline odds	-240
Game total	Over 6 goals (+100), Under 6 (-120)
Time	9:30 p.m. ET

• Chicago earned its first win of the season Monday versus the Mammoth, thanks largely to a highly impressive performance in goal from Spencer Knight. In three starts this season, Knight holds a 2.35 GAA and a .908 save percentage but has not yet been confirmed for this game, and it is possible backup Arvid Soderblom will get the start.
• Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno will miss this matchup for personal reasons.
• St. Louis won all three matchups between these sides last season.