Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday (1/8)
The NHL is in mid-form! Let’s highlight a few key games for today, Monday, Jan. 8.
Monday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Boston Bruins (+112) at Colorado Avalanche (-120) | O/U 6.5 (-102/-120)
The Avs continue to roll as one of the more elite teams in the league and are second in the Western Conference in points. They are getting their usual production from their top players; Valeri Nichushkin has 20 goals, Cale Makar is fifth with 38 assists, and Mikko Rantanen has 50 points, but no one is better than Nathan MacKinnon, whose 65 points lead the league.
There hasn’t been a letdown from the Bruins this year, and although they aren’t on that same historical pace, they are still proving to be a top team in the league. They’ve been trading off Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, and with Ullmark going in the game against Tampa Bay, expect Swayman in the net.
The goaltender matchup is what to look out for, and the Bruins have a clear advantage. Alexandar Georgiev has dipped recently by allowing 12 goals in his last three games and got the early hook in the last one. If Boston can put up some goals, the defensive side has the capabilities to simmer even the Avs’ potent offense.
Pick: Bruins Moneyline (+112)
Pittsburgh Penguins (-122) at Philadelphia Flyers (+102) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-122)
We’re seeing the Penguins rounding into form as they are on a good run. They are 8-3-1 over their last 12, including wins over the Islanders (twice), Boston, and Carolina. The top line is clicking, with Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby both with 14 points in their last 12 games, and Rickard Rakell with nine points in his last nine games. Additionally, Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic are both below 2.74 GAA this season.
The Flyers themselves have a great goaltending duo in Carter Hart and Samuel Ersson, and they, like the Penguins, are allowing 2.74 goals per game. The offense is not as good, scoring under three goals per game and ranked 27th in expected goals for, while Travis Konecny is the only player with over 30 points.
These are two hated rivals, so records sometimes go by the wayside. The defensive matchup will be the focus, so look for this to be a physical, low-scoring matchup.
Pick: Under 6.5 Total Goals (-122)
Dallas Stars (-140) at Minnesota Wild (+102) | O/U 6.5 (+106/-130)
The Stars must stop the bleeding, as they’ve picked up one point in their last three games. There is some optimism in that they only lost each game by one goal and outshot their opponent in two. This could be a case of bad luck.
After dropping four straight, the Wild picked up a win, but it was against the Blue Jackets, who have the fifth-fewest points in the league. The offense is currently scoring under three goals per game, and that’s not different from last year, but the goaltending tandem of Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury has not been as good as last year, going from 2.67 goals allowed to 3.18.
The Stars look like they are in a good position to rebound, facing a struggling defense and offense that has trouble supporting it.
Pick: Stars Moneyline (-140)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Monday:
- NFL Wild Card Early Odds, Picks & Predictions (2023)
- NBA Same Game Parlay Odds Picks & Predictions
- Thor Nystrom’s Best College Football National Championship Bets
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions
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