Predicted Score: Blue Jackets 4 – Ducks 3
NHL Pick: Over 5.5 (-113) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Today we have our top NHL picks for Moneyline, Puck Line, and Total bettors working on a Thursday night slate of NHL action.
In our first of three, we see all signs pointing to a high-scoring game in the Ducks/Blue Jackets contest which means over is the play.
Let’s check out the NHL odds as we look to sweep the board on Thursday night!
Remember, fans from the Golden State and the Buckeye State who are looking to make a wager on this game should be sure to check out our top-rated California and Ohio betting sites.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Thursday, January 19, 2023 – 07:00 PM EST at Nationwide Arena
The Total Pick
These are two very bad teams, and in a perfect world they’d both lose, but we’re not here to decide who emerges victorious, we are here to make a case for over the posted total.
As of this Thursday morning writing, we see a few major shops with totals as low as 5.5 which makes this wager even more enticing.
The Ducks have turned losing into an art form but we should note that the over has cashed in Anaheim’s last 6 games, allowing an average of 4.6 goals per game.
The Ducks' defense is actually quite offensive, ranked dead last in goals allowed, but their opponents on Thursday night, the Columbus Blue Jackets, have the 30th-ranked defense in the league which means the offenses, as anemic as they are, should find plenty of opportunities.
Let’s take a look at some trends that could convince you in case you are on the fence.
- The Over is 6-0 in the Ducks’ last 6 overall
- The Over is 4-0 in the Ducks’ last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- The Over is 4-0 in the Ducks’ last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
- The Over is 5-1 in the Ducks’ last 6 road games.
- The Over is 8-2 in the Ducks’ last 10 games playing on 1 day’s rest
- The Over is 4-0 in the Blue Jackets’ last 4 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- The Over is 5-1 in the Blue Jackets' last 6 games playing on 1 day’s rest.
Predicted Score: Blue Jackets 4 - Ducks 3
NHL Pick: Over 5.5 (-113) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
New York Islanders vs. Buffalo Sabres
Thursday, January 19, 2023 – 07:30 PM EST at KeyBank Center
The Puck Line Pick
The Islanders dropped a 4-1 decision to the Bruins in their own barn last night, just as we knew they would, and now have to turn around and head north to meet the Sabres tonight.
Fading teams on the second leg of back-to-backs is nothing new but backing the opposition laying 1.5 goals can be a bit risky, particularly when one considers that the Isles are ranked 8th in goals allowed, surrendering an average of 2.7 goals per game.
However, the Sabres own the No. 2 offense, scoring 3.8 goals per game, but have been struggling recently, and have lost 5 of their last 6 games.
But the Sabres are in an ideal spot to snap that streak on Thursday night against a team that will be dragging after getting outplayed by Boston last night and has a tough time scoring, ranked 23rd in that category averaging 3.0 goals per game.
I doubt the Islanders will get more than one goal in this one and wouldn’t be surprised if the high-flying Sabres offense doesn’t put this one away early.
We are getting a huge return for taking a risk like this on a struggling team. However, it’s a good situation for Buffalo and we should also note the Sabres have won 4 of their last 5 games against the Islanders and three of those games were by two goals or more.
Predicted Score: Sabres 3 - Islanders 1
NHL Pick: Sabres -1.5 (+225) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
New Jersey Devils vs. Seattle Kraken
Thursday, January 19, 2023 – 10:00 PM EST at Climate Pledge Arena
The Moneyline Pick
The first thing you should know is that the Devils are the best road team in the league with a sizzling 18-2-1 mark. New Jersey is also on a 5-game winning streak with their latest effort, a 4-3 shoot-out win over the Sharks on Monday.
The Kraken are a fun team to watch that can light the lamp, but at home they have been middling at best, sporting a 10-9-2 record at the CPA. And they are also a team that has cooled recently after ripping off 7 straight wins. Seattle has dropped their last two games with the most recent being a 5-2 loss to the Oilers on Tuesday night.
New Jersey boasts one of the best defensive teams in the business, ranked 3rd, allowing 2.6 goals allowed while Seattle ranks 17th surrendering 3.1 goals per game.
The Devils have had an extra day of rest and should be ready to rock on Thursday night to keep their winning streak alive.
Predicted Score: Devils 4 - Kraken 3
NHL Pick: Devils (-125) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
