NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Wednesday, January 29:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils (-190, 5.5)
7 p.m.
This is the third time in 11 days and the second time in two days that these two teams will face off against each other. The Flyers won the previous meetings, 3-1 and 4-2. With the number one goalie, Jacob Markstrom, sidelined for the next six weeks, veteran Jake Allen will take over as the number one goalie. Allen has lost seven of his last eight starts, and the opposition has scored three or more goals in all eight games. Even if the Devils decide to give recently recalled Issac Poulter the start, I still like the Flyers team total Over 2.5 goals.
The Devils’ Dougie Hamilton cashed for us on Tuesday with his goal prop (+600) and now has three goals in three games against Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson (projected starter).
The Flyers’ Owen Tippett has three goals in four games against Jake Allen. I will once again take a shot that he scores tonight.
It’s important to note the anytime goal projections are based on the starting goalies that I have listed. I would suggest that you hold off on the goal props in this game until I tweet out confirmations of the starters.
NHL Predictions: Flyers TT Over 2.5 (-115) – 2 units
Dougie Hamilton anytime goal (+550) – ¼ unit
Owen Tippett anytime goal (+280) – ¼ unit
Los Angeles Kings at Florida Panthers (-160, 5.5)
7 p.m. ET
The big storyline in this one is the return of Drew Doughty to the LA Kings lineup tonight. Doughty has been out all season with a broken ankle and will face not just the Florida Panthers but Matthew Tkachuk. Doughty and Tkachuk have had their battles throughout their careers.
On to the breakdown of the game. These two teams met eight days ago in Los Angeles, with the Kings coming away with a 2-1 victory. LA rallied for two third-period goals, including Adrian Kempe’s game-winner with less than seven minutes left in regulation. He has been held without a goal in back-to-back games since scoring against the Panthers but did score eight goals in his 10 games prior. His 24 goals leads the team. Outside of Kempe, LA’s offense has struggled by scoring two goals or less in nine of their last 10 games.
NHL Predictions: Adrian Kempe anytime goal (+200) – ¼ unit
Minnesota Wild at Toronto Maple Leafs (-175, 5.5)
7 p.m. ET
Three player props have my attention in this game tonight, and they are all with the Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews has 11 goals in 13 games against the Minnesota Wild and four goals in four games against Wild starting goalie Filip Gustavsson (confirmed). William Nylander also has four goals in four games against Gustavsson. As long as Bobby McMann is playing on the top line and the number one power play unit, he has value for an anytime goal.
NHL Predictions: Auston Matthews anytime goal (-105) – ¼ unit
William Nylander anytime goal (+140) – ¼ unit
Bobby McMann anytime goal (+220) – ¼ unit
Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators (-140, 5.5)
9 p.m. ET
This is the third and final meeting of the season between the Canucks and Predators. Nashville won the two previous contests, both in Vancouver and each time, the Canucks were on the second half of a back-to-back. In each of the Preds wins over the Canucks they defeated their former goalie, Kevin Lankinen. Lankinen is expected to get the start tonight for Vancouver.
Vancouver enters this contest having last played on Monday, defeating the St. Louis Blues, 5-2, winning consecutive games for the first time in almost two months. Vancouver has only had one winning streak this season of three or more games. The Predators return home following a loss at Anaheim that snapped a five-game winning streak.
I am going to pass on playing a side or total in this game but will jump on two Nashville player props. Steven Stamkos scored three goals in two games against Vancouver this season. He has five goals in six games against Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen and now has 19 goals in 22 career games versus the Canucks. Regardless of who the Canucks start in goal, I am playing the Stamkos goal prop.
Jonathan Marchessault has a pair of assists in the two games and now has 15 assists in 24 career games against the Canucks.
NHL Predictions: Steven Stamkos anytime goal (+170) – ¼ unit
Jonathan Marchessault Over ½ assist (+126) – ¼ unit
