Top 3 NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (1/23)
This Monday has an exciting slate of games, including a couple of teams playing well recently. We also have a matchup with some struggling teams that would love to come away with two points.
All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.
Today's Best NHL Bets
Let's look at a few of our best NHL bets for Monday's slate of action.
New York Islanders (+198) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (-245) | O/U 6 (-105/-115)
Flipping the calendar to 2023 has not been kind to the Islanders. They're coming in 2-6-3 since the start of the new year, and the offense is struggling. The forward unit looked great to start the season but has fizzled, scoring just three or more goals in two of the 11 games.
The Maple Leafs are trending in the opposite direction. This stellar forward unit was not playing up to expectations earlier this year, but now the reigning Hart Trophy winner Auston Matthews has 53 points, including at least ten straight.
Toronto has been incredible at home this season, while the Islanders are under .500 on the road. This and the Islanders' inability to score big-time will have them dropping another game.
Pick: Maple Leafs 60 Min ML (-142)
Buffalo Sabres (+146) vs. Dallas Stars (-176) | O/U 6.5 (-118/-104)
The Sabres are one of the best offenses in the league and come in tied with the most points scored per game. They have four forwards with at least 40 points, but it's been Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin who's led them recently with 14 points in the previous 11 games. It would be better if they got any contributions from their goaltenders.
When you look at the Stars, you see a well-balanced team. The team is nine in Goals For Above Expected, but their key has been the goaltending. Jake Oettinger has been one of the stellar goaltenders in the league, and unlike Sabres, he gives them breathing room if the offense is struggling.
Sabres are one of the teams that excel on special teams with the four-best power play percentage. The Sabres will have trouble taking advantage of that, with the Stars being one of the top teams in the penalty kill. Dallas has enough firepower to keep up with Buffalo and the defense to push them to a win.
Pick: Sabres 60 Min ML (-113)
Florida Panthers (+116) vs. New York Rangers (-140) | O/U 6.5 (-114/-106)
The Panthers are not having the season they expect after winning the Presidents' Trophy last year. The offense is still good, with the fifth-best expected goals percentage, but not on top like last year. In the net, Sergei Bobrovsky has regressed this year and currently has -0.17 Wins Above Replacement.
The Rangers are an excellent team and could be a threat in the playoffs. They have some great offensive talent, with Mika Zibanejad possibly grabbing 40 goals this year and Artemi Panarin averaging over a point per game. Defensively they're much stronger, allowing under 30 shots per game, and Igor Shesterkin has 14.4 goals saved above expected.
The Panthers’ offense will run into a tough matchup, and while the Rangers can score, they won’t do enough to help send this over seven goals. I like the Rangers grabbing the win, but the better value is in the under.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-106)
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