NHL Preseason/Wednesday's Picks

The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks finally hit the ice tonight as they open their respective preseasons at Chicago’s United Center. Game time is 8:30 pm ET.

These long-time rivals are two of three teams yet to play a preseason game; the other being New Jersey.

The Blackhawks are hoping to bounce back from a 24-25-7 record (55 points) that saw them miss the postseason last year. In an effort to turn things around offensively, Chicago acquired Tyler Johnson from the Tampa Bay Lightning and immediately inserted him on the first line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Between the three of them, they have collected 1,678 combined points.

The Red Wings continue to be a far cry from the team that won four Stanley Cups in the 90s and 2000s. GM Steve Yzerman and head coach Jeff Blashill will be looking for some of their prospects to step up and turn around a 19-27-10 (48 points) campaign in 2020-21.

Dunkel has the Blackhawks opening with a victory tonight at home with the final score over the Vegas total of 5 ½.

Dunkel’s Pick: Chicago (-150); Over

Below are all of Dunkel’s picks for today’s NHL preseason schedule:

SEPTEMBER 29

St. Louis at Columbus
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 10.367; Columbus 11.197
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-135); 5 ½
Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+115); Over

New Jersey at Washington
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 10.420; Washington 11.692
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-170); 6
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-170); Under

Toronto at Ottawa
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.905; Ottawa 11.354
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by ½; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-160); 6
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+140); Over

Edmonton at Winnipeg
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 11.146; Winnipeg 9.274
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 2; 8
Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg (-125); 6
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (+105); Over

Florida at Dallas
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.350; Dallas 9.567
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-110); 5 ½
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-110); Under

Detroit at Chicago
Time: 8:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 8.617; Chicago 9.602
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-150); 5 ½
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-150); Over

Seattle at Calgary
Time: 9:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 9.134; Calgary 8.112
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Arizona at Anaheim
Time: 10:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 11.723; Anaheim 11.226
Dunkel Line & Total: Arizona by ½; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-120); 5 ½
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+100); Under