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Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/30)

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We’re nearing the All-Star Break in the NHL, which leaves us with just a pair of games on the schedule tonight.

The action gets underway in the midwest as the Blue Jackets square off against the Blues. The night concludes with a Pacific Division clash between the Kraken and the Sharks.

Below, I’ll break down each game from a betting perspective and let you know my favorite bet for each contest!

Tuesday’s NHL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook)

Columbus Blue Jackets (+140) @ St. Louis Blues (-165) | 6.5 (-120/+100)

The Blue Jackets’ ugly season continues as they enter tonight’s game amid a 1-3-1 stretch. They’ll take on a frisky Blues side that has climbed up to fourth in the Central Division with 54 points. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Enterprise Center in Saint Louis. 

St. Louis has rattled off five straight victories, which is why they’ve catapulted back into the playoff race. I’ll back the Blues on the puck line at home, where they’ve gone 15-8-1 this season. Over the five-game winning streak, they’re averaging 3.8 goals per game. This will be another favorable matchup against a Columbus defense that’s 30th in the league (3.49 GAA). 

It’s also worth noting that Columbus will be without Adam Fantilli, who suffered a leg injury in Sunday’s 4-2 loss to the Kraken. Normally, I wouldn’t base my handicap of a game on one injury, but Fantilli has been their second-best scorer with 27 points (12G, 15A). With him and Patrick Laine sidelined, I’m wondering where the goal production will come from for the Blue Jackets. I think the Blues take care of business in a rout tonight. 

Bet: St. Louis Blues -1.5 (+135)

Seattle Kraken (-225) @ San Jose Sharks (+180) | 6.0 (+100/-120)

The NHL nightcap features a divisional tilt between the Kraken and the Sharks. Seattle comes into tonight’s game sitting in fifth in the Pacific (52 points), while San Jose still resides in the division’s cellar with 30 points. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET from the SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, Calif. 

I’m locking in the under tonight for this matchup. These are two of the worst offenses in the league, with the Kraken ranking 27th in scoring (2.8 GPG) and the Sharks coming in at 32nd (2.1 GPG). Furthermore, neither power play unit has been great this season, as Seattle is 15th (21.90%) while San Jose is 22nd (16.67%).

From a trends perspective, the Kraken have played a majority of their games to the under, seeing it cash in 27 of their 49 games (55.1%). Meanwhile, Joey Daccord has emerged as a serious option in-net this season. It’s unconfirmed if he’ll get the nod tonight, but he has made 12 of the last 13 starts for Seattle, so I’d assume he’ll go. Daccord’s currently 15-8-9 with a 2.36 GAA (4th) and .920 SV% (5th).

I think the Kraken lean on their excellent netminder in this game that feels like a must-win heading into the break. They definitely do not want to leave points on the table against this lowly Sharks squad. Look for Seattle to take care of business in a lower-scoring affair. 

Bet: Under 6.0 (-120)

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

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