Top NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/7)
The NHL rolls out a 10-game schedule tonight, providing us with myriad of ways to get some skin in the game. Below I'll break down three of the games from a betting perspective, as well as provide my three favorite wagers for tonight's slate.
Tuesday's NHL Best Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Columbus Blue Jackets (+118) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-142) | O/U 6.5 (-122/+100)
The action opens up with a pivotal Metropolitan Division showdown between two playoff hopefuls, as the Penguins (17-17-7) host the Blue Jackets (17-17-6). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.
My initial lean was towards the Penguins on the moneyline in this game, but they simply haven't been playing well enough for me to lay the -142 juice with them. Their defense has been a massive issue over their current 0-1-2 stretch, where they're conceding 3.7 goals per game. Overall on the year, Pittsburgh has dropped to 31st in defense, allowing 3.41 goals per contest.
Well, who's 32nd in goals against per game you ask? It's the Blue Jackets, who are allowing 3.48 goals per contest. They're the worst defense in the NHL, and they're also just 31st in SV% (.876). Columbus has seen at least seven combined goals in six of their last seven games, where they're averaging a combined 8.0 goals per game over the stretch. On the other end, both offenses are capable of scoring, as they're each scoring at least 3.0 goals per game. Let's not overthink this one, let's lock in the Over.
Bet: Over 6.5 Goals (-122)
Toronto Maple Leafs (-142) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (+118) | O/U 6.5 (-130/+106)
The Maple Leafs (26-13-2) are looking to sweep the Flyers (17-18-5) in a home-and-home series, as they notched a 3-2 overtime victory in Sunday's contest. The series shifts back to the City of Brotherly Love, and tonight's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Wells Fargo Center.
I understand that the Flyers are a scrappy bunch, but I'm still a little shocked to see this moneyline at only -142. I figured it'd be closer to the -160 or -175 range. I'll gladly ride with the Leafs to win this game, which would mark their fifth straight overall victory.
The big thing that stands out to me in this game is the disparity in these defenses. As for the baseline metrics, the Leafs are fifth in GAA (2.46) and third in SV% (.906), while the Flyers are 30th (3.28) and dead last (.870), respectively. Philly just cannot buy a save this year, while the opposite has been true in Toronto, as Joseph Woll (2.48 GAA, .914 SV%) has emerged as a serious number-one netminder. The Maple Leafs have the edge defensively, and they also have a sizable advantage in top-end offensive talent. I expect them to take care of business and secure the two points.
Bet: Maple Leafs Moneyline (-142)
Calgary Flames (-137) vs. Anaheim Ducks (+114) | O/U 6.5 (+114/-140)
The Flames (18-14-7) have cooled off a bit following a solid start to the campaign, and now they'll take on a divisional foe in the Ducks (17-18-4) in Southern California tonight. This is the first of four meetings between the Pacific Division squads. Puck drop is slated for 10:00 p.m. ET from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
The Ducks have been playing excellent hockey as of late, going 4-1-0 in their last five games. They're not just squeaking by the scrubs of the league either, as their four recent wins are against the Oilers (5-3), Devils (3-2), Jets (4-3 OT), and the Lightning (4-1), most recently. This Anaheim team is on the cusp of breaking out, and we can see their young talent starting to thrive. On the back end, the Ducks recently added Jacob Trouba, and it always helps to have a physical presence down low to aid the goaltenders. Anaheim's 7-3-0 in the last 10 games when Trouba is in the lineup.
Speaking of Anaheim's goaltending, their duo of Lukas Dostal (2.74 GAA, .913 SV%) and John Gibson (2.78 GAA, .914 SV%) have been fantastic this season. They have combined for the league's third-best SV% at .906. They'll be tasked with stopping a Calgary offense that's just 29th in scoring (2.6 GPG) and 19th on the power play (20.18%). Let's back the red-hot Ducks at plus-money tonight at home.
Bet: Ducks Moneyline (+114)