NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
San Jose Sharks (25-20-3) at Tampa Bay Lightning (30-13-4)
Sharks (+250) at Lightning (-300) – Total 6.5 (-110)
7 p.m. ET
It’s hard to get in front of the Lightning, who have won 12 of their last 13 games, with one of those wins coming over these same Sharks (7-3 in San Jose on January 3), but I will give it a shot even though the Sharks are on the second half of a back-to-back.
This will be the Lightning’s first home game after five on the road, and they will be heading back out on the road for a pair of games in Chicago and Columbus after tonight’s game. Here are some eye-opening trends that I have been tracking when it comes to games with a favorite of -300 or higher. In the 13 games this season with that big of a favorite, the “GIFT” (goal in first 10 minutes) has cashed 11 times, the first-period Over 1.5 goals has hit 10 times and the underdog has scored a first-period goal 10 times. The Sharks’ Will Smith has scored a goal in each of the last two games, and both goals have opened the scoring for San Jose. Pavol Regenda is also on my goal prop board. He had a hat trick in the lone meeting versus Tampa this season.
It’s hard to find value on the Tampa side with the Lightning being such heavy favorites, but two player props intrigue me. Darren Raddysh has points in eight of the Bolts’ last nine games (six multi-point games). Forward Anthony Cirelli centers Tampa’s top line and, even by accident, should find a way to pick up a point tonight. I expect the Lightning to be firing shots all night long at Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov. Askarov didn’t make it out of the first period in the previous meeting, but with this being the second half of a back-to-back, I don’t see a goalie pull in this game.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Goal in the first 10 minutes/first-period Over 1.5 goals (-119) – .50
San Jose Sharks to score a first-period goal (-128) – .50
San Jose Sharks ML (+250) – .10
Sharks +1.5 goals (+100) – .10
Will Smith anytime goal (+300) – .10
Will Smith first Sharks goal (+800) – .10
Pavol Regenda anytime goal +450 – .05
Darren Raddysh Over 1.5 points (+280) – .20
Darren Raddysh assist/Anthony Cirelli point (+183) – .25
Yaroslav Askarov Over 25.5 saves (-120) – 1 unit
St. Louis Blues (19-22-8) at Winnipeg Jets (19-23-6)
Blues (+105) at Jets (-125) – Total 5.5 (Over, -135)
8 p.m. ET
The Jets and Blues are on my do-not-bet list. I was on Winnipeg last Saturday at home against Toronto (thankfully also had the Over 5.5), and once again the Jets blew a multi-goal lead. I stayed away from them Monday night against Chicago. And the Blues can’t score goals, dead last in the NHL in offense (2.43 goals per game).
This game is all about the player props. The Blues’ Jimmy Snuggerud has had at least three shots on goal in each of his last six games (three, four, five, four, five, four), and his Over 2.5 shots-on-goal player prop is being offered at plus money. His teammate Dylan Holloway has had at least three shots on goal in five consecutive games and eight of his last 10. On the Jets’ side, Cole Perfetti has had at least two shots on goal in 12 of 15 games versus the Jets.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Dylan Holloway/Cole Perfetti each Over 1.5 shots on goal (+180) – .50
Dylan Holloway Over 2.5 shots on goal (+195) – .50
Jimmy Snuggerud Over 2.5 shots on goal (+126) – .50
New Jersey Devils (25-22-2) at Edmonton Oilers (25-17-8)
Devils (+135) at Oilers (-160) – Total 6 (Over, -120)
10 p.m. ET
The Devils, who are coming off an overtime win in Calgary on Monday night, have just three wins in eight games in the second half of a back-to-back this season. The Devils have had success as a road underdog this season, winning nine of 13 games in that spot and have won both games as a road underdog in the second half of back-to-backs this season. New Jersey’s success as a road underdog is keeping me off the Oilers for now, so keep an eye on my Twitter (X) feed (@westcoasthky) throughout the day as I always add plays with more information becoming available.
What I do feel best about in this game is for Connor McDavid to cash his shots-on-goal prop (Over 3.5). McDavid has had four or more shots on goal in 12 straight home games. He also has had three or more shots on goal in the first period in six of his last eight home games. With Leon Draisaitl out of the lineup (family issue), it has opened the door for Vasily Podkolzin, who has scored in both games with Leon out of the lineup, and Jake Walman now finds himself on the No. 1 power-play unit. Zach Hyman has a ridiculous 17 goals in his last 20 games. Trent Frederic has two goals in four games against Devils starting goalie Jake Allen. You can get his anytime goal prop (+700) at theScore Bet. Jesper Bratt (18 points/16 games vs Edmonton) and Jack Hughes (8 points/10 games versus Edmonton) have enjoyed success against the Oilers, and I will parlay the two players and make this a plus-money wager.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Connor McDavid Over 3.5 shots on goal (+100) – 1.5 units
Connor McDavid Over 1.5 shots on goal/first period (+185) – .50 units
Connor McDavid Over 2.5 shots on goal/first period (+600) – .25 units
Jake Walman Over ½ point (+160) – .25 units
Zach Hyman anytime goal (+135) – .10 units
Vasily Podkolzin anytime goal (+430) – .10 units
Trent Frederic anytime goal (+700) – .05 units
Pavel Zacha point/Jack Hughes assist (+176) – .25 units
