March 5, 2025 at 10:35 PM EST
We have a 5-game slate in the NHL today, and here you can read the NHL Picks for Wednesday 3/5/2025.
Ottawa Senators vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction 3/5/25 NHL Picks
Senators at Blackhawks at 7:30 PM ET
The Ottawa Senators achieved a victory against the Sharks but suffered a defeat to the Capitals. Currently, the Senators are averaging 2.82 goals per game and successfully converting 23.5 percent of their power play chances. Brady Tkachuk is the team’s leading scorer with 23 goals, while Tim Stutzle has contributed 44 assists, and Thomas Chabot has recorded 140 shots on goal. On the defensive side, the Senators are conceding an average of 2.85 goals per game and successfully killing 77.1 percent of their opponents’ power play opportunities. Linus Ullmark has allowed 73 goals from 817 shots faced, whereas Anton Forsberg has surrendered 57 goals from 545 shots.
The Chicago Blackhawks triumphed over the Ducks and the Kings in their recent matchups. The team is currently averaging 2.75 goals per game and achieving a power play success rate of 25.9 percent. Leading the scoring for Chicago is Ryan Donato with 22 goals, while Teuvo Teravainen has provided 34 assists, and Connor Bedard has amassed 141 shots on goal. Defensively, the Blackhawks are permitting 3.48 goals per game and managing to kill off 81.3 percent of their opponents’ power play opportunities. In goal, Petr Mrazek has surrendered 106 goals on 964 shots, and Arvid Soderblom has allowed 84 goals on 895 shots faced.
The Pick:
The Senators have demonstrated poor performance on the road, with 16 of their 25 losses occurring in away games this season. In contrast, the Blackhawks, despite their own struggles, have managed to achieve back-to-back wins and have successfully capitalized on underdog opportunities in three of their last eight outings. Furthermore, the Blackhawks have emerged victorious in nine of their last ten meetings with the Senators, with several of those games being less than aesthetically pleasing. While I do not typically engage in such actions, I am willing to take a chance on the Blackhawks at the attractive odds offered.
Washington Capitals vs New York Rangers Prediction 3/5/25 NHL Picks
Capitals at Rangers at 7:30 PM ET
The Washington Capitals approach this contest with the intention of extending their recent success following a 5-4 shootout win against Ottawa, aiming to improve their season record to 39-14-8. Leading the team in scoring is Dylan Strome, who has accumulated 60 points, including 18 goals and a team-high 42 assists. Alex Ovechkin contributes significantly with 48 points, comprising 31 goals and 17 assists, while Connor McMichael adds 47 points through 22 goals and 25 assists. Furthermore, Aliaksei Protas has achieved 51 points, featuring 23 goals and 28 assists, and Tom Wilson has recorded 47 points. John Carlson has also been instrumental with 39 points, where Wilson has netted 27 goals and provided 20 assists, and Carlson has contributed 35 assists. In net, Logan Thompson has an impressive record of 26-4-5, with a 2.32 GAA and a .918 save percentage, while Charlie Lindgren stands at 13-10-3, with a 2.70 GAA and an .898 save percentage this season.
The New York Rangers enter this matchup aiming to extend their winning streak to two consecutive games, following a 4-0 shutout victory over the New York Islanders, which brings their season record to 31-26-4. Artemi Panarin leads the team with 63 points, comprising 25 goals and 38 assists, while Alexis Lafreniere contributes 34 points, including 14 goals and 20 assists. Adam Fox has recorded 43 assists, and Mika Zibanejad has accumulated 44 points with 13 goals and 31 assists. Will Cuylle has also made a significant impact with 33 points, featuring 17 goals and 16 assists. In goal, Igor Shesterkin holds a record of 21-21-2, with a GAA of 2.86 and a save percentage of .906. Jonathan Quick has a record of 9-5-2, with a GAA of 2.92 and a save percentage of .903 this season, while Louis Domingue remains undefeated at 1-0, boasting a GAA of 2.00 and a save percentage of .926.
The Pick:
The Capitals have faced challenges in New York for several seasons, with the home team emerging victorious in 20 of the last 28 encounters between these two franchises. I believe the Rangers have the potential to secure a victory in this matchup, which would significantly boost their confidence as they strive to re-enter the playoff contention. I am backing the Rangers in this game.
Maple Leafs vs Golden Knights Prediction 3/5/25 NHL Picks
Maple Leafs at Golden Knights at 10 PM ET
This season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have recorded 38-20-3, following their recent shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks, which ended with a score of 3-2. The Maple Leafs had a 2-0 advantage in the third period but allowed the Sharks to level the score, leading to their defeat in the shootout. In the game, Toronto outshot San Jose 27-22, won 69.4% of face-offs, and successfully converted 2 of their 5 power play chances. Goals were netted by Knies and Tavares, while Stolarz managed to stop 20 of the 22 shots directed at him.
This season, the Vegas Golden Knights have achieved a record of 36-18-6 after their latest triumph against New Jersey, winning 2-0. The team faced challenges in generating offense during the initial two periods but rallied in the third period to score twice, securing a shutout victory. Throughout the game, the Golden Knights were outshot 25 to 24, won 49% of their face-offs, and successfully executed 2 of their 4 power play chances. Stone and Hanifin contributed the goals, while Hill recorded a perfect performance by stopping all 25 shots directed at him.
The Pick:
The Golden Knights of Vegas have triumphed in five of their last six games, marking them as one of the most formidable home teams in the NHL. They excel in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game and are determined to rectify their previous 3-0 loss to Toronto earlier this season. While the statistical data indicates a similarity between the two teams, Toronto’s unusual loss to San Jose, combined with Vegas’s strong home record, persuades me to support the Golden Knights in this matchup.
Blues vs Kings Prediction 3/5/25 NHL Picks
Blues at Kings at 10:30 PM ET
This season, the St. Louis Blues have a record of 29-27-6 after suffering a 6-3 defeat against Dallas in their most recent game. The Blues managed to tie the game at two during the first period; however, they allowed four of the last five goals, leading to their loss. In terms of performance, St. Louis outshot Dallas significantly, with 42 shots compared to 21, achieved a face-off win rate of 43.5%, and successfully converted 1 of 3 power play chances. The goals for St. Louis were scored by Bolduc, Holloway, and Walker, while goaltender Hofer made six saves on nine shots.
The Los Angeles Kings have a season record of 31-20-8 after suffering a 5-1 defeat against the Chicago Blackhawks in their latest match. The Kings managed to tie the game at one goal in the first period; however, they subsequently allowed four goals without reply, resulting in their loss. Los Angeles outperformed Chicago in shots on goal, with a total of 42 compared to 19, and they won 58% of the face-offs. Unfortunately, they did not capitalize on their single power play opportunity. Anze Kopitar scored the only goal for the Kings, while goaltender Darcy Kuemper stopped 14 of the 18 shots he faced during the game.
The Pick:
The Kings have recorded two goals or fewer in each of their last four games and have encountered difficulties during away matches. Nevertheless, they boast an impressive home record of 19 wins, 3 losses, and 3 overtime losses. On the other hand, St. Louis is coming off a loss to Dallas but has triumphed in four of their previous five games. The trajectories of these two teams are contrasting, and while St. Louis is currently playing better hockey, I find it challenging to bet against the Kings when they are on home ice. It is prudent to back the top home team in the NHL.
Anaheim Ducks vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction 3/5/25 NHL Picks
Ducks at Canucks at 10:30 PM ET
The Anaheim Ducks are currently performing admirably, despite having lost three out of their last four games. They have secured victories in six of their last nine matches and commenced a two-game road trip with a commanding 6-2 win against the Edmonton Oilers. The defeats during this period were against the Red Wings, Sabres, and Blackhawks. Presently, the Ducks occupy the sixth position in the Pacific Division standings with a total of 61 points, trailing the Canucks by four points and the division leaders, the Golden Knights, by 17 points. On average, the Ducks score 2.62 goals per game, ranking them 30th in the league, while they allow 3.05 goals per game, which places them tied for 20th.
The Vancouver Canucks have faced difficulties recently, recording six losses in their last ten games and four defeats in their last five outings. This trend is not particularly surprising, given that the Canucks have played these five games away from home, where they fell to the Golden Knights, Hockey Club, Ducks, and Kraken, managing only a win against the Kings in overtime. The team is now poised to play seven of their next eight games on home ice. Presently, the Canucks sit fifth in the Pacific Division standings with 65 points, just two points behind the Flames and 13 points behind the leading Vegas team. This season, the Canucks average 2.73 goals per game, ranking them 26th, while they allow 3.05 goals per game, placing them tied for 20th.
The Pick:
It is uncertain which team will emerge victorious in this matchup; however, I anticipate that the total score will not exceed five goals. The Over/Under record from the last ten head-to-head encounters stands at 3-6-1, while the Ducks have a season record of 20-35-5 in terms of Over/Under. Furthermore, none of Vancouver’s last six home games have resulted in more than five goals. Therefore, I recommend opting for the Under.