Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/27)
The NHL season is in full gear! Let’s highlight a few key games for today, Saturday, Jan 27.
Saturday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Florida Panthers (-135) at New York Islanders (+114) | O/U 6 (-115/-105)
The Panthers struggled out of the gate to begin the season, but it looks like they’ve regained their composure and become one of the better teams in the league. They are coming in at 7-2-2 in January, and they’re showing how good they are, as the 58.23 expected goals percentage in all situations is second. After Sergei Bobrovsky was behind the net in their Friday overtime win against the Penguins, Anthony Stolarz will get the start, and he’s also been exceptional, with 4.9 goals saved above expected.
It might not have come as a huge shock for the Islanders to move on from Lane Lambert, as their defensive-centric team was 24th goals allowed, but replacing him with Patrick Roy was an odd choice. The results so far, although small, are not so great as the team is 1-2. The metrics show that the team is looking better as their 2.24 expected goals are an improvement.
While the Panthers should be the favorites, they are playing back-to-backs on the road with a rest disadvantage. It’s certainly not time to trust the Isles, but defensively, they’ve improved, so they could keep this a low-scoring game.
Pick: Under 6 Total Goals (-105)
Arizona Coyotes (+205) at Carolina Hurricanes (-250) | O/U 6 (-125/+105)
The Coyotes have been shockingly good this year after being a bottom-feeder last season. They tend to be streaky and aren’t trending in the right direction right now, as they are 3-5-1 over their last nine. The offense has struggled, and the absence of Nick Schmaltz isn’t helping, so Arizona will hope he returns soon.
The Hurricanes are a team with so many ways to beat you. They are allowing a shade under three goals, but this blue has been exceptional all season, allowing just 25 shots per game. The depth they have on offense is always what makes them great: six players with ten or more goals and nine with 25 or more points.
It’s nice to see Arizona being a better team, but they don’t have the capabilities to keep up with the Canes, who are flat-out better on both sides.
Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (-102)
Nashville Predators (+170) at Edmonton Oilers (-205) | O/U 6.5 (-125/+105)
The Oilers are close to reaching history; at 15 straight wins, they are just two away from tying the all-time record. They are just flat-out better than anyone else in the league right now; their 58.58 expected goals percentage leads the league, after being near the bottom in goals scored to start the season, they’re fourth in goals allowed. Fans wanted Stuart Skinner gone after his abysmal postseason last year, but his 2.49 goals allowed per game are ninth.
The Predators have been streaky all season, but they weren’t even expected to be above .500. The offense has been much better than expected, but the surprise has been that the goaltending hasn’t. Juuse Saros is putting in some of the worst numbers of their career with a 2.91 GAA and -4.0 goals saved above expected.
There’s a hint of a trap game against an opponent they should beat, so with the moneyline not being great, I wouldn’t trust the puck line. Edmonton should have another great offensive performance but expect the Preds to put up some goals themselves.
Pick: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-125)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday:
- NFC Championship Game Preview, Odds & Picks: Lions vs. 49ers
- AFC Championship Game Preview, Odds & Picks: Chiefs vs. Ravens
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions