Top NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (1/11)
Welcome back to another edition of the top NHL picks and predictions! Weâre being treated to another 13-game slate on Thursday night, giving us more than enough opportunities to find high-value picks to wager on the ice.
Last Thursday, we bounced back with a solid 2-1 effort, cashing over 5.5 total goals in the Penguins and Bruins matchup in the opening period. Talk about sweat-free! Robert Thomas also came through for us, scoring a goal to cash his anytime goal scorer prop at +200 odds. Only the Columbus vs. Philadelphia game failed to hit, with only one goal scored across the first two periods, falling short of over 6.5 total goals despite the Blue Jackets being one of the best over teams in the NHL.
Letâs build off our momentum from last Thursdayâs slate and go 3-0 with three of my favorite NHL picks to invest in ahead of puck drop tonight. Make sure to follow Matt MacKay on Twitter to get more free plays and NHL best bets.
Thursdayâs NHL Best Bets
Seattle Kraken (-115) vs. Washington Capitals (-104) | O/U 5.5 (-114/-106)
The Kraken are among the hottest teams in the NHL right now, winning seven consecutive games. On Thursday, Seattle continues its road trip in the nationâs capitol, facing off against the Washington Capitals.
These teams havenât played since last season, but their previous four head-to-head matchups are split at 2-2, with the Capitals winning 4-1 at home last December. Washington is 2-6 in their last eight games straight up though, while the Kraken have won three games in a row by at least a two-goal margin.
The good thing about this wager is that we donât need the Kraken to score a ton of goals, as their defense and goaltending have held teams to two or fewer goals. Washingtonâs offense leaves much to be desired. Therefore, weâre going to stake a unit on the Kraken to cover the puck line as road favorites at +215 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Bet: Seattle Kraken -1.5 (+215)
Los Angeles Kings (+116) vs. Florida Panthers (-140) | O/U 6.5 (+112/-138)
Two teams trending in opposite directions will face off in the Sunshine State on Thursday night. The Kings have lost six straight games, while the Panthers are winners of eight straight contests.
That said, weâre hammering the Kingsâ moneyline at +116 odds. In their past five matchups, including earlier this year in November, Los Angeles has been the outright winner. The streak and slump will end at some point, and it feels like tonight is when that happens.
The Kings have only lost by one goal in their last three straight games, so letâs invest in Los Angelesâ moneyline at plus odds tonight.
Bet: Los Angeles Kings Moneyline (+116)
Edmonton Oilers (-170) vs. Detroit Red Wings (+140) | O/U 7.5 (+138/-170)
After a sluggish start to their season, Edmonton has completely turned it around, winning eight straight matchups outright. They will travel to Detroit on Thursday night to face the Red Wings, who find themselves on a three-game winning streak of their own.
Upon close inspection, two of Detroitâs wins have been against Anaheim and San Jose, two of the leagueâs bottom feeders. Conversely, the Oilers have beaten quality opponents during their win streak, including the Devils and Rangers. Many of these wins have actually been low-scoring, so weâre eyeing under 7.5 total goals at -170 odds.
Like we did two weeks ago with the Oilers, weâre going to parlay two juiced lines to get a two-leg parlay at plus odds to wager. Letâs stake a unit on a parlay featuring the Oilersâ moneyline odds at -170, paired with under 7.5 total goals, which results in +151 odds.
Itâs a bit risky, considering that the Red Wings have hit eight or more goals in four of their past six games, but lately, the total goals in their matchups have been held to seven or fewer goals in back-to-back contests.
Bet: Same Game Parlay â Edmonton Oilers Moneyline (-170) + Under 7.5 Total Goals (-170) = +151 odds
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
- NFL Wild Card Odds, Picks & Predictions: Longshot Bets (2023)
- NFL Wild Card Moneyline Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions (2024)
- NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
- College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions
- Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions
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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.