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Los Angeles Kings @ New York Rangers

This innocuous Wednesday night game between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers has the potential to be a classic, given how well these two teams have started their seasons. Both lost their first game before winning every game since. The New York Rangers are perfect at home while the Los Angeles Kings are perfect on the road.

Both have players currently in the top ten of scoring and both are in the top 5 in the league in goals scored. Both have had great goaltending and solid defence so far. The Los Angeles Kings played the New York Islanders on Monday, so they've had a few days in New York to rest up and get used to the time zone.

I'm a little surprised that the Kings are such dogs in this game at +230 [3.3] and if it wasn't for their goaltending situation tonight, I would jump all over those odds. But, the Kings head to Detroit on Thursday for a contest with the Wings, a tough and meaningful Western Conference opponent. That means that Jonathan Quick is expected to rest on Wednesday and start Thursday. Erik Ersberg is getting the call in this game and while the young netminder is a decent backup, he might end up getting more than he can handle with the Rangers firing on all cylinders these days.

If you want a nice payoff, take the Kings who are capable of handling the Rangers, but be aware they are starting their backup in this game.

Edmonton Oilers @ Chicago Blackhawks

This is another game where I like the underdog, as these two teams with identical 3-1-1 go head to head at the United Center. The Hawks are coming off that incredible 5-goal comeback win on Monday against the Calgary Flames while the Edmonton Oilers easily defeated the Nashville Predators 6-1. The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a strong start to the season, but their goaltending has been anything but stellar. Cristobal Huet is showing the fans in the Windy City why they should be worried with him as their number one netminder.

On the flip side, the Oilers are playing a tough, offensive game under head coach Pat Quinn. They are 8th in the league in offense and with the tenuous goaltending in Chicago, they should be able to add more to their 19 goals on the season. The Hawks are good at home, but the visiting team has won 4 of the past 5 visits between these two teams and the Oilers have won their last 5 Wednesday night games. Take a chance and take them at +255 [3.55].