NHL Best Bets Today, 4/16: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
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The final two days of the regular season are here and thank you to everyone being here with us and our NHL predictions throughout the year!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/16
Of the six games on the slate, the only one that actually matters, aside from being meaningful for NHL best bets today, is the Montreal Canadiens hosting the Carolina Hurricanes.
If the Habs get a point, they're in the playoffs.
Stars vs. Predators Prediction: Wednesday, April 16th
It's a really interesting strategy from the Dallas Stars to look absolutely terrible right before the start of the playoffs. However, they have one final chance to pick up a win and head into the playoffs with a bit of momentum since they are taking on the dreadful Nashville Predators.
Since the start of April, the Predators have allowed a staggering 5.02 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the worst in the league by a mile. The second-worst team sits at 3.88 Goals allowed, putting the Predators a full goal worse than the next team.
As of now, there's no indication on whether or not the Stars will be resting any players, but they're a vastly superior team compared to the Predators, even with their recent struggles. It might not be pretty, but my NHL picks have the Stars coming away with the win tonight to end the season on the slightest high note before the playoffs.
- Expert Stars vs. Predators Picks:
- Dallas 3-Way Money Line (+100 on FanDuel)
Red Wings vs. Devils Prediction: Wednesday, April 16th
While this game has no real implications for either team, we can still find a prop to target for our NHL best bets today when the Red Wings visit the Devils tonight.
The Devils have called up goalie Nico Daws, who could be in net tonight in order to give Jacob Markstrom some rest before the playoffs. Daws only has five games under his belt this season and has allowed 0.88 Goals per game, which is the result of a small sample size. In the previous two seasons which he played 21 games or more in both, he allowed 3.15 and 3.11 goals per game. Don't be fooled by the 0.88 goals this season, Daws is a below-average goalie.
Not to mention, the Devils have been struggling on defense since the start of April, with 2.86 Goals Allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the eighth-worst in the league.
On the Red Wings' side of things, Dylan Larkin comes in with 29 goals, and I have to think he wants to hit the 30-goal mark for the fourth consecutive season. As usual, Larkin is on the top forward line and the top power-play unit, which should give him ample chances to find the back of the net.
- Expert Red Wings vs. Devils Picks:
- Dylan Larkin To Score a Goal (+230 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 4/16
- Cole Caufield 3+ Shots On Goal (-113 on FanDuel)
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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.