Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/6)
The NHL season is in full gear! Let's highlight a few key games for today, Saturday, Jan 6.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Florida Panthers (+125) at Colorado Avalanche (-150) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
Until recently, the Panthers did not look like the powerhouse offense they were once known for, but it's starting to pick up. They've scored at least four goals in five of game in their six-game winning streak. Additionally, Matthew Tkachuk might finally be getting hot as he's scored nine points during that span.
The Avs continue to roll as one of the more elite teams in the league, pacing the Western Conference in points. They are getting their usual production from their top players; Valeri Nichushkin has 19 goals, Cale Makar is third with 37 assists, and Mikko Rantanen has 48 points, but no one is better than Nathan MacKinnon, whose 64 points leads the league.
Two offensive powerhouses meet, which should be how this game will play out. Recently, Alexandar Georgiev has a couple of good games against some bad offenses, but he's struggling against good ones, and even with Sergei Bobrovsky playing well, the Avs are immune to good goaltending.
Pick: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-105)
Buffalo Sabres (+142) at Pittsburgh Penguins (-172) | O/U 6.5 (-118/-104)
We're seeing the Penguins rounding into form as they are on a good run. They are 8-2-1 over their last 11, including wins over the Islanders (twice), Boston, and Carolina. The top line is clicking, with Jake Guentzel having 12 points, Sidney Crosby with 13, Rickard Rakell with eight over their last ten games, and Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic both below 2.65 GAA this season.
Big things were expected from the Sabres coming off one of their best seasons in a long time, but it hasn't happened. They've rarely had their full unit on the ice, with Alex Tuch, Zach Benson, and Tage Thompson all missing time. It doesn't help when they can’t get consistency from their goaltending, which allows a 3.39 GAA.
The Pens were able to out-score the Bruins, who have good goaltending; they should be able to continue that offense against below-average netminding.
Pick: Penguins 60-Minute Moneyline (-120)
Tampa Bay Lightning (+132) at Boston Bruins (-160) | O/U 6.5 (+110/-134)
The great Andrei Vasilevskiy has been shaky since coming back from injury; he started really bad and got much better, but he's starting to trend downward again as he's lost three of his last four, allowing 12 goals, with a .882 save percentage. Also, the offense is not having much luck; their Corsi expected goal percentage has been above 52% in three of those games, but they aren't finding the back of the net.
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 Swagman and Linus Ullmark, and with Swayman going in the game against Pittsburgh, expect the Vezina Trophy winner to be in the net.
This is the premiere goaltending matchup Saturday with two of the best in the world. Despite both teams' capable offenses, this could be an exciting defensive duel.
Pick: Under 6.5 Total Goals (-134)
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