NHL Best Bets Today, 3/26: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
Welcome to our expert NHL Best Bets today!
We've seen some wild results over the past few days, along with some teams starting to clinch playoff spots. It's peak NHL time, so let's jump into today's NHL predictions!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/26
I will keep my NHL best bets today centered on teams that are vying for a playoff spot and are eager to earn every point possible, as this should provide us with the most reliable outcomes.
Devils vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Wednesday, March 26th
This isn't a “must-win” game for the New Jersey Devils, but it certainly feels that way. The Devils come in having lost three in a row and four of their last five games, a rough stretch of games as we close out the season.
While I don't think the New York Rangers or New York Islanders will catch them in the Metro standings, the Devils need to right the ship and do so quickly. Luckily for them, and for our NHL best bets today, they have an easy matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight, which should help get them back on track.
Over the last two weeks, the Blackhawks have allowed a staggering 4.54 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the worst in the league. This is factually the easiest matchup in the league in the last two weeks, and the Devils have to strike and get the offense going.
I'll also look at the Devils' top-line center and captain, Nico Hischier, for over 2.5 shots on goal tonight. He's coming off a game with only one shot, and frankly, that's not acceptable at this point in the season with the Devils falling and no Jack Hughes in the lineup. Hischier will lead the Devils and come away with the win tonight.
- Expert Devils vs. Blackhawks Picks:
- Nico Hischier Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-106 on FanDuel)
- New Jersey 3-Way Money Line (-125 on DraftKings)
Stars vs. Oilers Prediction: Wednesday, March 26th
If the Dallas Stars are the Stanley Cup contender, we believe them to be, this is a game they should be able to win. The Edmonton Oilers are significantly short-handed with no Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, a loss which can't be understated enough.
Missing two of the four best players in the world puts any team at a big disadvantage, but even more so when the Oilers have struggled to find a high level of consistency this season.
The Stars, as usual, have been a solid defense team, and over the last two weeks, they've allowed 2.29 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 12th-best in the league. The Stars should simply take care of business against a short-handed Oilers lineup to round out our NHL best bets today; there's no other way to put it.
- Expert Stars vs. Oilers Picks:
- Dallas Money Line (-132 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/26
- Bo Horvat Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-135 on DraftKings)
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.