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Top NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (1/25)

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Nine games comprise Thursday’s NHL slate, which means we’ve got plenty of action to wager ahead of a multi-day break due to the 2024 NHL All-Star break held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto next weekend.

Last week, we continued our streak, going 2-1 once again with our three NHL best bets. This makes us 4-2 across our last six NHL picks, but this slate has a lot of good matchups to exploit to build our bankroll, meaning we’re due for a 3-0 sweep on the rink tonight. Let’s give a quick recap of our 1/18 best bets to put the results into context.

Colorado’s road trip to Boston was the only miss. The Avalanche fell into a 3-1 deficit in the first period, never fully recovering for the remainder of the contest. This was our only loss. Tampa Bay began slow in a back-and-forth game against Minnesota, but the Lightning broke the game open in the final two periods, scoring six goals en route to a 7-3 win, easily cashing their moneyline at -142 odds. Edmonton fell behind 2-0 at home against Seattle, but rallied late, including a game-sealing goal from Zach Hyman, profiting nicely at +125 odds to close out the slate.

We’ve got three more locks to wager ahead of Thursday’s nine-game NHL slate. Make sure to follow Matt MacKay on Twitter to get more free plays and NHL best bets.

Thursday’s NHL Best Bets

Detroit Red Wings (-126) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (+105) | O/U 6.5 (-112/-108)

Our first bet takes us to the Motor City, with the Detroit Red Wings hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers have dropped three straight games, surrendering at least five goals during this slump. Meanwhile, the Red Wings are coming off of a 5-4 loss at home to Dallas. Detroit is among the best offensive teams in the league this season, averaging 3.49 goals per game, ranked fifth-most in the NHL. Philadelphia has been stout against opponents defensively, but lately, this has gone by the wayside.

In this matchup, we’re targeting the first period goals market and staking a unit on over 1.5 total goals to be scored. This has hit in six consecutive games for Detroit following a loss. During the Flyers’ three-game losing skid, they have finished with two first period goals in each contest. Alex Lyon is suiting up for the Red Wings, while the Flyers expect to start Samuel Ersson, who has surrendered four goals in back-to-back starts. Lyon has been good but not great in the crease, but Detroit is capable of scoring two goals on their own. This makes over 1.5 first period goals at -136 good enough to be our first wager of the night.

Bet: 1st Period Over 1.5 Total Goals (-136)

Minnesota Wild (-125) vs. Nashville Predators (+104) | O/U 6.5 (+112/-138)

The next game we’re targeting is between Minnesota and Nashville. The Wild are marginal home favorites with moneyline odds set to -125 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Minnesota has won 12 of their last 13 games at home against opponents on a losing streak, which is exactly where the Predators find themselves. Nashville has lost three of their last four games outright. They were also outplayed at home by Minnesota back in November, losing 6-1 in a blowout.

The Wild have won three consecutive games outright by at least two goals, beating quality opponents like Florida and Carolina on the road. The Predators have an extra day of rest to their advantage but the Wild are a very good team at home, plus it isn’t a back-to-back for them either. Minnesota has won six consecutive games as a favorite after recording a win and they also won their previous home game against Nashville 4-3. We’ll happily take the Wild to win outright at -125 odds, so let’s stake a unit on one of the hottest teams in the NHL.

Bet: Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-125)

Arizona Coyotes (+176) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-215) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-122)

Our final destination brings us to Tampa Bay vs. Arizona. The Lightning host the Coyotes as a significant home favorite with -215 odds on their moneyline. Arizona is fresh off of a beatdown from the Florida Panthers, losing 6-2 after falling into a 5-0 deficit during the first two periods. With no time to rest on their Florida road trip, the Lightning now prepare to face the Coyotes, who have surprisingly had Tampa Bay’s number this season.

Arizona has won outright against the Lightning in both matchups this season, however, these both came at home in the Desert. The Coyotes haven’t won either of their last two road matchups at Amalie Arena since 2021, which bodes well for the Lightning, who just trounced Philadelphia on the road 6-3, led by Nikita Kucherov’s hat trick performance. Speaking of Kucherov, he’s third in goals scored (31) and second in goals created (29.8) this season, dominating on Tampa Bay’s first-line attack alongside Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos.

Kucherov ended a six-game goal drought with his hat trick against the Flyers on Tuesday night, so expect this momentum to transfer into another goal against Arizona. Yes, Connor Ingram has played well for the Coyotes in the crease lately, holding opponents to two goals in three consecutive starts, but Kucherov is simply too good to fade. He’s scored 18 of his 31 goals at Amalie Arena this season, so expect him to put on a show for the home crowd, cashing his anytime goal scorer prop at -105 odds. Let’s stake a unit on the Russian Rifle to light the lamp on Thursday night against the Coyotes.

Bet: Nikita Kucherov Anytime Goal Scorer (-105)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:


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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_.

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