Top NHL picks January 25: Bet on Canucks to be competitive against Kraken
There are five NHL games on Wednesday and three bets we’re looking to make.
The pregame narrative: The Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars are both receiving excellent goaltending, making the under a good bet for their contest. We’re also targeting the over between the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators, and like the Vancouver Canucks to keep it close against the Seattle Kraken.
Find our top NHL picks for January 25 below.
Odds as of 12:15 p.m. on 01/25/2023.
NHL picks
Best Bet: Hurricanes vs. Stars under 6 goals (-113)
Carolina and Dallas are two of the most defensively sound teams in the NHL, making the under on this total a solid bet.
The Hurricanes just don’t give their opponents much. They’re allowing the fewest shots on goal per game (26.5) and the seventh-fewest goals per game (2.65). The Canes have been even tougher to beat in recent outings thanks to the stellar play of Frederik Andersen.
Since returning from injury, he’s 4-0-0 with an impressive .942 team save percentage. He’s the biggest reason why Carolina ranks fourth in team save percentage (.936) over the last week, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The Stars have been equally impressive defensively. They place second in goals against per game (2.55) this year and can count on Jake Oettinger for quality goaltending. He’s tied with Connor Hellebuyck for second in save percentage (.925) among all netminders with 10 or more games.
Take the under in a game where defence and goaltending should reign supreme.
Key stat: Dallas is the fifth-best unders team (58.2%) in the NHL this season.
Quick picks
Islanders vs. Senators over 6 goals (-109): When all else fails, you can typically rely on New York to get solid goaltending.
That hasn’t been the case as the Islanders rank 26th in team save percentage (.873) across the last seven days. They’re also allowing the seventh-most expected goals against per 60 (3.87) in that span.
The Senators are no better. They own the fourth-worst team save percentage (.860) and are surrendering the ninth-most expected goals against per 60 (3.66) over the last weeks.
The over on this total has pushed or hit in three of the last five games for either team.
Canucks +1 (+100): Vancouver’s first game under new head coach Rick Tocchet was a success, as the Canucks used a three-goal third period to down the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2.
They face a tougher test in the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, but we’re expecting the positive results to continue.
Vancouver places fourth in expected goals percentage (57.59%) across the last seven days. The Kraken, meanwhile, have lost three of their last four and haven’t covered this number in any of those contests.
