Top 3 NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/3)
Last night’s Winter Classic was just that – a classic. Jake DeBrusk led the way for the Bruins, scoring a pair of third-period goals en route to the 2-1 victory over the Penguins. The league perfectly executed the event, from the venue to the uniforms to the matchup itself.
The NHL season continues to chug along as we have a 12-game slate to choose from tonight. Here are my top three plays on the ice.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Top 3 NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/3)
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers
The night opens up with a 2022 Eastern Conference playoff rematch as the blazing-hot Hurricanes take on the Rangers in the Big Apple. New York won last year’s playoff series in seven games, but the Blue Shirts were eventually knocked out by the Lightning in the Conference Finals. This will be the first time these divisional foes square off this season, and it gets underway at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Carolina’s on an insane run right now, winning its last 11 games and picking up points in 16 straight. Their 56 points are good enough for the lead in the Metropolitan Division, and only the Bruins have more points (62) at this stage of the season. Being that they’re so dominant, I’ll take advantage of this opportunity to only lay -125 on their moneyline odds.
While the Rangers are no slouch, they’re simply not on the same level as the Hurricanes now – especially defensively. Reigning Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin has taken a slight step back and comes into tonight’s game at 17-6-5 with a 2.41 GAA and .918 SV%. Those are still excellent numbers, but New York needs him to be even better if they want to make a deep playoff run like last year. Let’s ride with the more well-rounded team in this one. Give me the Hurricanes.
Bet: Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline (-125 via DraftKings)
Calgary Flames vs. Winnipeg Jets
The Flames make the short trip to Manitoba, where they’ll take on the Jets for a Western Conference showdown. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.
As we’ve seen with Winnipeg throughout the years, they’re very reliant on defense and goaltending. If Connor Hellebuyck is on, the Jets are a threat to anyone in the West. And right now, the 29-year-old netminder is playing exceptionally. Hellebuyck enters tonight’s game at 18-9-1 with a 2.32 GAA and .928 SV%. He gets even better at home, where his GAA drops to 1.88 and his SV% increases to .938.
I’ll back the Jets as a slight underdog tonight against a Flames team that’s scoring a pedestrian 3.1 goals per game (20th). Things are just not clicking for Calgary, and it’s clear they miss Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk’s offensive presence. I’ll take Winnipeg at home in what should be a low-scoring affair.
Bet: Winnipeg Jets Moneyline (+105 via DraftKings)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Lightning gets set for their first game of the new year as they face the Blackhawks in Chicago. This 2015 Stanley Cup rematch is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago.
While the Blackhawks topped the Bolts in 2015 and collected their third Cup in six years, the franchise has quickly declined over the last half-decade. Chicago has become a doormat in the league, and things do not seem to be getting any betting in the Windy City. The Hawks are just 8-24-4 (20 points) this season, and they’ve gone 2-19-1 over their last 22 games.
There is a myriad of issues for the Hawks, but their biggest blemish has been the lack of offense. They’re scoring just 2.2 goals per game (31st) and finding the back of the net on 20.18% of power play opportunities (22nd). I don’t expect their offensive woes to be cured tonight as they’re running into Andrei Vasilevskiy and a Bolts team that gives up just 2.66 goals per game (11th). The Russian-born netminder is 16-9-1 this year with a 2.42 GAA and .921 SV%. Look for the Lightning to stretch their lead out to at least two goals tonight and cover the puck line.
Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 (-130 via DraftKings)
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