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NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (1/27)

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We have an eight-game slate of hockey on Friday with some great matchups.

Follow me on Twitter to get all my plays on days without full write-ups.

Here are our other top picks for Friday:

Today’s Best NHL Bets

Below, I give out my two best bets for Friday’s NHL slate.

Vegas Golden Knights (+135) @ New York Rangers (-155) | O/U 6 (-105/-115)

The Metropolitan Division’s New York Rangers host the Pacific Division’s Vegas Golden Knights in what should be a great matchup on Friday evening. Both of these teams are looking for a win as they are each coming off losses, but the Rangers are overpriced at -155.

At 5-on-5, Vegas ranks 12th in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and sixth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Meanwhile, at 5-on-5, New York ranks just 21st in the league in xGF/60 and 16th in xGA/60.

The one area where the Rangers boast the advantage is in net as all-world goaltender Igor Shesterkin is slated to take the crease for New York. However, even with Shesterkin on home ice, Vegas is too large of underdogs to pass up considering the better product it produces in front of the nets.

Best Bet: Golden Knights ML (+135 at DraftKings)

New Jersey Devils (+120) @ Dallas Stars (-140) | O/U 6 (-110/-110)

Another road underdog to back on Friday is the New Jersey Devils, who travel to Dallas to take on the Stars. Since the Devils are on the second half of a back-to-back, we can expected goaltender Vitek Vanecek to take the crease for New Jersey.

Through 31 appearances between the pipes this season, Vanecek is 20-5-2 with a .916 save percentage (SV%) and 2.30 goals against average (GAA). Entering this contest in especially great form, he is 8-0 with a .930 SV% and 2.07 GAA over his last eight starts.

Based on his metrics, regression should not be an issue as Vanecek ranks 10th among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5. In front of Vanecek is one of the league’s best blue lines as the Devils rank ninth in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

This strong defense and goaltending should also get plenty of goal support as New Jersey ranks third in the league in xGF/60 at 5-on-5. Meanwhile, the Stars rank lower in both xGF/60 and xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

Like the Rangers, the one advantage Dallas boasts in this contest is in net. However, considering the other variables and how strong Vanecek has played for New Jersey recently, it is worth taking a shot on the road dog.

Best Bet: New Jersey Devils ML (+120 at DraftKings)

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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.

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