NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Wednesday, January 8:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Vancouver Canucks at Washington Capitals (-185, 5.5)
7:30 p.m. ET
There is a tremendous amount of “noise” that continues to follow the Vancouver Canucks as trade rumors surrounding the team continue to swirl. J.T. Miller, who is front and center of the rumors, is coming off a four-point game (two goals, two assists) in Monday’s 5-4 overtime loss at Montreal. It was the fifth time in the last nine games the Canucks have gone past regulation (one win, four losses). Four of the last eight meetings between the Canucks and Caps have needed to be settled in overtime. Washington has gone past 60 minutes in two of their last three games. Vancouver has lost seven of their last nine overall. Washington has won four of the last five overall against the Canucks but have lost three straight at home to Vancouver.
A couple of Vancouver props that have caught my eye. Quinn Hughes has scored three goals in five games against Caps goalie Charlie Lindgren, while Brock Boeser and Connor Garland have found the back of the net twice against Lindgren (five games).
On the Washington side, Alexander Ovechkin has 16 goals in 26 games against the Canucks, Jakub Vrana has four goals and seven points in nine games against Vancouver and does have a goal against tonight’s starter, Kevin Lankinen. Pierre-Luc Dubois has an assist in four consecutive games. Blueliner Jakob Chychrun has assists in three straight.
Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson is a game-time decision.
NHL Predictions: Quinn Hughes anytime goal (+450) – ¼ unit
Alexander Ovechkin anytime goal (+130) -1/4 unit
Pierre-Luc Dubois Over ½ assist (+140) – ¼ unit
Regulation Draw (+340) – ¼ unit
Jakob Chychrun Over ½ assist (+140) – ¼ unit
Jakub Vrana anytime goal (+475) – ¼ unit
Brock Boeser anytime goal (+230) – ¼ unit
Conor Garland anytime goal (+265) – ¼ unit
Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings (-220, 5.5)
7:30 p.m. ET
First off, thoughts and prayers to all who are dealing with the devastating fires here in Los Angeles. I have multiple friends who have lost their homes. There is a possibility that tonight’s game will get postponed. So, stay tuned.
It is the mom’s trip for the Calgary Flames players. While I hate to bet against the Flames with their moms in the building, Calgary is not a good road team (especially as an underdog, 3-9), and the Kings have won nine straight games at Crypto.com Arena. Calgary is coming off a 3-2 overtime win last night in Anaheim and are (1-3) this season on the second half of back-to-backs, losing all three games by two or more goals. With Dustin Wolf (a former Jr. Kings player) starting last night in Anaheim, Calgary will likely go with Dan Vladar between the pipes. Vladar, has a goals against average of 3.49 on the road. The Kings have won the last four meetings against the Flames on home ice and the last three by two or more goals.
NHL Predictions: LA Kings in Regulation (-145) – 2 units
Phillip Danault Over ½ assist (+180) – ¼ unit
Adrian Kempe anytime goal (+160) – ¼ unit
Quinton Byfield anytime goal (+265) – ¼ unit
Best of the Rest:
Cale Makar anytime goal (+270) – ¼ unit
Jesper Boqvist (FLA) anytime goal (+600) – ¼ unit
Matthew Tkachuk anytime goal (+180) – ¼ unit
