NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Monday, January 6:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Washington Capitals (-135, 6) at Buffalo Sabres
7 p.m. ET
Alexander Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky and his record of 894 career goals tonight in Buffalo. Ovechkin sits just 22 goals shy of tying the “Great One” and 23 goals from becoming the greatest goal scorer of all time. Ovi has 41 goals in 65 career games against the Sabres and four goals in six games against Sabres starting goalie for tonight, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The Caps doubled up Buffalo, 4-2 in their only meeting this season. Washington has traded wins and losses their past seven games and is coming off a 7-4 victory over the NY Rangers on Saturday.
The Sabres return home after playing their last four games on the road and have lost three straight. Jason Zucker has paced Buffalo with goals in five straight games. Zucker has three goals in four games against Caps goalie Charlie Lindgren, who is expected to get the start. The Sabres have won two of the last three meetings in Buffalo. Five of the last eight contests have gone to overtime.
NHL Predictions: Jason Zucker anytime goal (+235) – ¼ unit
Alexander Ovechkin anytime goal (+125) – ¼ unit
JJ Peterka anytime goal (+250) – ¼ unit
Pierre-Luc Dubois over ½ assist (+145) – ¼ unit
Dylan Strome over ½ assist (-105) – ¼ unit
Regulation Draw (+320) – ¼ unit
Vancouver Canucks (-130, 6) at Montreal Canadiens
7:30 p.m. ET
The Canucks kick off a five-game road trip tonight at Montreal with both Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson being game-time decisions. Vancouver is 8-1 in the role as a road favorite and just 2-5 as the road underdog. With the Canucks coming off being blanked by Nashville in their last game (3-0 by Nashville), our system plays of a goal to be scored in the first 10 minutes and first period Over 1.5 are in effect.
The Canadiens return home after a road trip that saw them knock off the last three Stanley Cup winners. Montreal came away with victories over Florida, Vegas and Colorado. Tonight is the Habs first home game since December 17.
Keep an eye out if Patrik Laine returns tonight from injury. He has six goals in six games against Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen.
NHL Predictions: Vancouver Canucks/Montreal Canadiens Goal 1st 10 minutes (-155) – 1.5 units
Vancouver Canucks/Montreal Canadiens 1st period Over 1.5 (-130) – 1.5 units
