NHL Daily Gambling Preview – 1/13/22

Even with the huge letdown from the Leafs losing 2-1 in Arizona while outshooting the Yotes 46-18, yesterday was actually another profitable NHL day, going 4-2 to win 1.02 units. Huge eleven game slate tonight, let’s crush it!

Bruins vs. Flyers (7:00)

Tuukka Rask makes his return for the Boston Bruins tonight for the first time since Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Rask is a very good goaltender but its tough to gauge how a goalie will perform coming off a significant surgery. His 20-11-2 B’s have been fantastic lately, winning six of their last seven games since the Christmas break and coming off of their 5-1 beatdown on the Habs last night. They’ve got the hottest offense in that time, averaging 4.71 goals per game. On the season they’re averaging 3.12 goals per game and allowing an eighth fewest 2.55 goals per game. The Flyers suck and after their 3-2 OT loss on Saturday to San Jose, they’re currently on a five game losing streak with a record of 13-15-7. Their offense sucks, averaging a sixth fewest 2.57 goals per game and they’re not much better on the backend, allowing a tenth most 3.31 goals per game. These teams have played twice already this season and split both of those games (both in Philly) with a 6-3 Flyers win in October and a 5-2 Bruins win in November. I have a bit of uncertainty on this game with Tuukka’s first game and the B’s on the second half of a back to back, but the way the Bruins are playing is too tough to stay away from at home tonight so I’ll go with a unit on the Bruins in regulation.

Lightning vs. Canucks (7:00)

The Lightning electrocuted the shit out the Sabres on Tuesday night, crushing them 6-1 for their third win in their last four games. The Bolts are 24-9-5, averaging a seventh most 3.32 goals per game and allowing an average of 2.82 goals per game. On Tuesday night, the Canucks took their first regulation loss since hiring Bruce Boudreau, 5-2 to Florida. They’ve been playing good hockey with an 8-1-1 record in their last ten games. On the season, they’re averaging only 2.51 goals per game but they’re allowing only 2.8 goals per game. I’d lean that Tampa wins this game but the Canucks have played great lately and by no means do I think the -235 on Tampa tonight is worth it whatsoever, so I’ll skip a side on this game. There’s actually some value at +195 on Vancouver ML or the +1.5 for only -122, but I feel like those would just be stabs that I don’t really see the point in betting. I’d also lean the under here but not enough to bet it.

Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets (7:00)

Columbus is 16-17-1 on the season but recently they’ve been playing terrible hockey with only four wins in their last 16 games. On the season, their offense hasn’t been too bad, averaging 3.09 goals per game but they’ve been awful defensively and in goal, allowing an average of 3.56 goals per game, fifth most in the NHL. Carolina is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to Florida on Saturday (double winner for me on that game) but they’ve been fantastic this season, with a 24-7-2 record on the year and a 9-1-1 record in their last eleven games. The Canes are at the top of the stat sheets, averaging a fourth most 3.48 goals per game and allowing the fewest goals in the NHL, just 2.21 goals per game. I love Carolina here to crush the Jackets at home tonight, just as they did the first two times they played in Columbus, where the Canes won 5-1 and 7-4. The ML is too expensive for me here but I’ll take Carolina in regulation for 3 units and the the Carolina TT over 3.5 for 2.5 units.

Red Wings vs. Jets (7:30)

Detroit’s 16-16-5 on the season and haven’t been playing good hockey lately, losing five of their last six games coming out of the Christmas break. They’ve been decent at home this season with a 12-5-2 record at Little Caesars Arena. They’re averaging a tenth fewest 2.7 goals per game and allowing and ninth most 3.35 goals per game. Winnipeg’s won three of their last four games and have a 16-12-5 record on the season. They’re just averaging 2.88 goals per game, but have been pretty good defensively, allowing 2.85 goals per game. With Connor Hellebuyck starting in goal and the Jets on a full week of rest, I’ll take the Jets ML here for a unit. I’d lean the under as well but not enough to bet on it.

Islanders vs. Devils (7:30)

The Islanders haven’t played a game since New Year’s Day when they beat the Oilers 3-2 in overtime. They’re 10-12-6 on the season, with three wins in their last four games. The Isles haven’t been good this year and despite allowing an eleventh fewest 2.75 goals per game, they haven’t been able to score, averaging a third fewest 2.29 goals per game. The Devils have kind of sucked this season too at 14-17-5 but have been decent coming out of the Christmas break, with four wins in their last six games. They’re averaging 2.89 goals per game and allowing an average of 3.39 goals per game, seventh most in the NHL. To make that worse, they’re going with their third string goalie Jon Gillies in goal tonight. These teams have played twice this season with the home team winning each one, a 4-0 shutout win for the Devils and then a 4-2 Isles win. I’d lean the Islanders win this game at home tonight, but no shot I’m laying the -220 on this one, so I’ll just completely skip the game.

Predators vs. Sabres (8:00)

There’s a lot of lopsided matchups on the NHL slate tonight, but this one to me as a jaded Sabres fan, might be the biggest lopsided game. The Sabres straight up blow. They’re 10-19-6, they’ve lost their last six games and only have have three wins in their last 20 games. Buffalo’s only averaging a sixth fewest 2.57 goals per game and they’re allowing a sixth most 3.54 goals per game. With UPK’s injury on Tuesday night against Tampa, the Sabres will likely have to go with Aaron Dell in goal tonight, one of the worst goalies in the NHL, who’s 0-5 with an atrocious 4.52 GAA and .872 save percentage. Nashville on the other hand are one of the hottest teams in the NHL with a 12-1-1 record in their last twelve games. The Preds are 24-11-2 with an 11-5 record at home in Smashville. They’re averaging 3.14 goals per game and are allowing an eighth fewest average of 2.65 goals per game lead by their top notch goaltending from Juuse Saros. Nashville should be able to cruise through the Sabres tonight. Its not smart to lay -375 on any hockey game so going about this game a bit different, with four units (I know, it’s a lot) on the Preds TT over 3.5 and two units on the Preds in regulation at still a pretty heavy price of -205.

Blues vs. Kraken (8:00)

St. Louis has been very good this season, with a 21-10-5 record and a 9-2-1 record in their last twelve games. They’ve been really solid at home, with a 14-3-2 record at Enterprise Center. They’re averaging a sixth most 3.44 goals per game and have one of the top power plays in the league, capitalizing on 30.1% of those chances. They’re allowing a ninth fewest 2.67 goals per game. Tonight they’re going with Ville Husso in goal, who’s actually been decent this season with a 2.28 GAA and .931 save percentage. The Blues are missing three of their top six forwards tonight in Vladdy Tarasenko, David Perron and Brayden Schenn though which could be a big blow to their offense. The Kraken have been a terrible team at 10-21-4 and come into this game with seven straight losses and only one win in their last eleven games. They’ve been brutal defensively and in goal, allowing the most goals in hockey, an average of 3.71 goals per game and they haven’t been great offensively either, averaging 2.77 goals per game. I still think the Blues win this one, but missing three of their top six forwards and starting their backup, this could be a weird let down spot so I’ll skip this game, I’d lean the over as well.

Blackhawks vs. Canadiens (8:30)

This is a battle between two pretty shitty teams. Last night the Habs got smoked 5-1 to the Bruins for their fourth straight loss with only one win in their last twelve games. They’re one of the worst teams in the NHL on both ends of the ice, scoring the fewest goals in the league, only an average of 2.09 per game and allowing the fourth most goals in hockey, an average of 3.66 goals per game. Chicago’s won their last two games against Columbus and Vegas, but they’re pretty brutal too and those were their only two wins in their last eight games. The Blackhawks are 13-18-5, averaging a fourth fewest 2.33 goals per game and allowing eighth most 3.36 per game. The first time these teams played on December 9th in Montreal, the Hawks won 2-0. I’d lean Chicago wins this one again since they definitely have more talent especially in goal with Fleury confirmed tonight, but this team isn’t even close to worth the -245. I’d lean the under as well, but not enough to bet on it.

Flames vs. Senators (9:00)

Calgary’s been good this season at 17-10-6, but come into this game with three straight losses to Carolina, Tampa and Florida. They’re averaging 3.09 goals per game, and allowing the sixth fewest in the NHL, an average of 2.52 goals per game. Ottawa hasn’t played a game since New Year’s Day, a 6-0 shutout loss to the Leafs and tonight is only their second game in almost a month, and besides that Leafs game on the 1st, they haven’t played since December 18th. The Sens come into this game with three straight losses as well, but the story on them this season’s significantly different. They’re averaging a ninth fewest 2.69 goals per game and are allowing a third most, 3.69 goals per game. The first time these teams played this season on November 14th, Calgary got a 4-0 shutout win. I like the Flames to get it right tonight, but I’m not laying the -295 here. I’ll take Calgary in regulation for 2.5 units.

Kings vs. Penguins (10:30)

Both of these teams have been playing good hockey lately. After winning my game of the year in Anaheim on Tuesday with a 4-1 win, the Penguins are 21-9-5 and only have one loss in their last twelve games. Their offense is averaging a tenth most 3.29 goals per game and just got Evengi Malkin back in the lineup. They’ve been incredible defensively, allowing a second fewest 2.46 goals per game with Tristan Jarry being one of the top goalies in the NHL, with a 1.91 GAA and .932 save percentage. LA’s 18-13-5 with four wins in their last five games. They’ve been very good defensively too, allowing a fourth fewest 2.5 goals per game but haven’t done much offensively, averaging an eighth fewest 2.67 goals per game. The Pens are the significantly better team here and should win. I’ll take the Penguins ML here for 1.5 units and the under 6 for a unit.

Sharks vs. Rangers (10:30)

The Rangers have been really solid this season with a 23-10-4 record. They’ve won four of their last seven games since coming back from the Christmas break. They get their best player Igor Shesterkin back in goal tonight, who’s one of the best in hockey with a 15-4-2 record, 2.09 GAA and .936 save percentage. The Rags are averaging just 2.84 goals per game but allowing a fifth fewest in the NHL average of 2.51 per game. The Sharks come into this game with three straight losses and haven’t been terrible, they’re averaging only 2.81 goals per game but giving up an average of 3.05 per game/ When these teams played in MSG on December 3rd, the Rangers won a 1-0 barn burner shootout. I like the Rangers to win this one again. I’ll go with the Rangers ML here for a unit. I’d lean the under too but not enough to bet on it with how inconsistent the Sharks seem to play.

Game Bets

1u Bruins in regulation (-157)

3u Carolina in regulation (-175)

2.5u Carolina TT over 3.5 (-152)

1u Jets ML (-120)

2u Preds in regulation (-205)

4u Preds TT over 3.5 (-152)

2.5u Calgary in regulation (-182)

1.5u Penguins ML (-150)

1u Penguins under 6 (-129)

1u Rangers ML (-135)

Record (Regular Season Total): 287-206-12 (+29.74 units)