NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Winnipeg Jets (15-18-4) at Detroit Red Wings (23-14-3)
Jets (-110) at Red Wings (-110) – Total 5.5 (Over, -130)
6:30 p.m. ET
Last season’s President’s Trophy winner (most points in the NHL), the Winnipeg Jets, find themselves dead last in the NHL standings. Winnipeg has lost six straight and 15 of their last 18. The Jets had hoped the return of Connor Hellebuyck from injury would turn their season around, but after winning in his first game back, the Jets’ netminder has lost five consecutive games.
The Red Wings sit atop the Atlantic Division, winners of nine of their last 11 games, although their last wins all came in overtime. This game does set up as a potential sandwich game for the Jets, who last played Edmonton and play at Toronto tomorrow night. We have seen a line move to Winnipeg as Detroit opened as a (-130) home favorite. Detroit will turn to John Gibson in goal. Gibson had his eight-game winning streak snapped in his last outing. A 5-2 loss at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Jets’ Kyle Connor has nine goals in 16 games versus Gibson. On the Detroit side, defenseman Moritz Seider has points in five of his last seven games overall and in six straight versus Winnipeg. Wings captain, Dylan Larkin is also riding a six-game points streak versus the Jets.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Detroit Red Wings (-110) – 1 unit
Kyle Connor anytime goal (+145) – .10 units
Larkin point/Seider assist (+154) – .25 units
Regulation Draw (+280) – .05 units
New Jersey Devils (20-17-2) at Columbus Blue Jackets (17-15-6)
Devils (+100) at Blue Jackets (-120) – Total 6 (-110)
7 p.m. ET
The Devils are coming off a 4-0 loss at Toronto last night and have dropped four straight and five of their last seven. New Jersey has scored two goals or fewer in six of their last seven games. The Devils are (1-4) on the second half of a back-to-back this season.
As I have documented in the past, the Jackets are a different team when they are a home favorite as opposed to a home underdog. The Jackets are 8-1 as the home favorite and 0-7 as a home underdog. The Blue Jackets will once again turn to Jet Greaves in goal, and it will be Jake Allen for the Devils. A couple of player props for me. Yes, the Devils have struggled to score, but don’t tell Timo Meier. Meier has scored in five straight and eight of his last 10 games against Columbus, including two goals in two games against Greaves. Meier has scored the Devils’ first goal of the game seven times this season and in two of the last three meetings against the Devils. On the Blue Jackets’ side, Denton Mateychuk has points in four straight and scored in the lone meeting against the Devils earlier this season.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Columbus Blue Jackets ML (-120) – 1.5 units
Timo Meier anytime goal (+220) – .10 units
Timo Meier 1st Devils goal (+650) – .05 units
Denton Mateychuk anytime goal (+575) – .10 units
Denton Mateychuk assist (+150) – .20 units
Buffalo Sabres (20-14-4) at Dallas Stars (25-7-7)
Sabres (+130) at Stars (-160) – Total 6.5 (Under, -125)
8 p.m. ET
We have seen a significant line move in this game tonight as Dallas opened as high as a (-185) home favorite. The line move has zero concern for me, and I welcome it as someone who is on Dallas to put an end to the Sabres’ nine-game winning streak. I am not sure if the line move was caused by teams wanting to continue to ride the Sabres’ hot streak or the fact that Dallas is going with backup goalie, Casey DeSmith.
For those who are betting Buffalo and are happy that you are avoiding Jake Oettinger, you should be aware that DeSmith is 6-2-2 with a 1.99 goals against average and three shutouts in his career against the Sabres. December 31st has also been a great day in Dallas Stars history. The Stars love to close out the year on a winning note, going 8-1-1 in their last 10 games on New Year’s Eve and have won 16 of their last 24 overall on December 31st.
With Alex Lyon injured, Buffalo turns to Ukka Pekka-Luukkonen between the pipes. While great at home (5-1, 1.81 goals against average), he is 1-4-1 on the road with a 3.43 goals against average. He has given up four or more goals in four of the losses.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Dallas Stars Team Total Over 3.5 (+102) – 1.5 units
Dallas Stars -1.5 goals (+163) – .75 units
