NHL Preview & Picks – January 3rd, 2023

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We have eleven games taking place across the NHL tonight. There are several important matchups including Kraken/ Oilers, Flames/ Jets, Hurricanes/ Rangers, and Stars/ Kings. I break down a few of the matchups and offer my best bets along with a few player props to take a look at.

 

Game Previews:

Calgary Flames @ Winnipeg Jets

  • Time: 8:00 PM ET
  • Calgary Flames: 18-13-7, 3rd Pacific (7-6-5 Away)
  • Winnipeg Jets: 23-13-1, 2nd Central (13-6-0 Home)
Team Opening ML Current ML Spread Total
Calgary Flames -120 -140 -1.5 (+195) o5.5 (-120)
Winnipeg Jets +100 +120 +1.5 (-230) u5.5 (+100)

 

The Flames have won five of their last seven games including their last two. They haven’t been great offensively but they’ve been able to win low-scoring games thanks to the combination of Markstrom and Vladar. In their previous matchup against the Jets, they won 3-2.

Winnipeg has won their last two games but lost their previous three before that. The Jets had a great start to the year but have slowed down since then. The main reason for this is due to their depleted lineup without Blake Wheeler, Mason Appleton, and Cole Perfetti.

CGY: J. Markstrom (12-9-4), 2.78 GAA, .895 SV%

WPG: C. Hellebuyck (18-9-1), 2.32 GAA, .928 SV%

 

Dallas Stars @ Los Angeles Kings

  • Time: 10:00 PM ET
  • Dallas Stars: 23-9-6, 1st Central (12-5-3 Away)
  • Los Angeles Kings: 21-13-6, 2nd Pacific (11-6-2 Home)
Team Opening ML Current ML Spread Total
Dallas Stars -125 -125 -1.5 (+195) o6.0 (-110)
Los Angeles Kings +105 +105 +1.5 (-230) u6.0 (-110)

 

The Stars have won a season-high four games in a row. They start a two-game road trip tonight against the Kings and will face Anaheim tomorrow. In their previous matchup against the Kings this year, they won 5-2.

Los Angeles is on a bit of a hot streak, winning six of their last eight games. The Kings have struggled on the Penalty Kill allowing a goal in each of their last ten games. Pheonix Copley has also emerged as the new potential new number one for the Kings this year going 8-1-0 in his first nine starts.

DAL: J. Oettinger (17-5-3), 2.36 GAA, .921 SV%

LAK: P. Copley (8-1-0), 2.58 GAA, .905 SV%

 

Picks(s):

  • Tampa Bay Lightning/ Chicago Blackhawks over 6.5 (-109) – Barstool
    • Risk 0.27 to win 0.25 Units

(Wait until Elliot is confirmed as the starter for Tampa Bay)

This should be a high-scoring matchup when looking at these teams’ home/ away splits. Tampa Bay’s offense has been solid as of late while Chicago has surrendered at least three goals in their past ten games. As I alluded to above, the Blackhawks average almost a goal more at home so if they can get at least two, I think this game goes over the total. The expected goaltender matchup should also help (Elliot/ Stalock).

 

  • Edmonton Oilers in Regulation (+100) – DraftKings
    • Risk 0.25 to win 0.25 Units

Seattle just ended their three-game skid on Sunday defeating the Islanders 4-1 at home. The Oilers have struggled to string wins together this who year but have won three of their past five. Seattle’s offense has been great this year while they’ve been subpar defensively. This should hurt them tonight, especially against Edmonton’s offense. The Oilers will also have an advantage in net with Skinner getting the start for them.

 

  • William Nylander over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+105) – DraftKings
    • Risk 0.25 to win 0.26 Units

He’s gone over this number in three of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 4.8 SOG and 6.2 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 3.5 SOG in each of his last five. The Blues also rank 21st in shots on goal allowed per game and give up the 12th most shots on goal per game to Right Wingers.

 

Lean(s):

  • New York Islanders (-110) – FanDuel

 

Other Player Prop(s) to Target:

  • Thomas Chabot over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-140) – DraftKings
    • He’s gone over this number in four of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 2.4 SOG and 4.8 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in three of his last five. The Blue Jackets also rank 31st in shots on goal allowed per game and give up the most shots on goal per game to Defensemen.
  • Alex DeBrincat over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-103) – Caesars
    • He’s gone over this number in three of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 4.0 SOG and 6.2 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 3.5 SOG in three of his last five. The Blue Jackets also rank 31st in shots on goal allowed per game and give up the 9th most shots on goal per game to Left Wingers.
  • Michael Bunting over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+125) – FanDuel
    • He’s gone over this number in four of his last five games. During that span, he’s averaging 4.2 SOG and 5.8 shot attempts per game. At home, he’s recorded over 2.5 SOG in four of his last five. The Blues also rank 21st in shots on goal allowed per game and give up the 26th most shots on goal per game to Left Wingers.

 

Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting.