NHL Best Bets, Odds, & Picks: Friday (1/23)
The NHL is back with an eight-game slate to enjoy on Friday night. The biggest matchup on the ice tonight includes Vegas vs. Toronto, although there’s a ton of value in the other seven games that we’re going to target.
My NHL Best Bets, Odds, & Picks: Friday (1/16) wound up a losing night at 1-2. The winner came through on under 5.5 total goals during a 3-2 upset win by St. Louis over Tampa Bay in overtime at -102 odds. Florida’s moneyline on the road against Carolina wound up a 9-1 blowout loss, while Colorado also lost outright as a huge home favorite against Nashville, failing to cover -1.5 during a 7-3 defeat.
Let’s bounce back with a winning card on the frozen pond during Friday’s eight NHL matchups. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay_ for more NHL analysis and free picks throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Tampa Bay is set to face-off against Chicago on the road at the United Center tonight. The Blackhawks are on the second half of a back-to-back following a big-time overtime win on the road against Carolina on Thursday night.
The Lightning have a big rest advantage. Plus, Tampa Bay is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games played, while Chicago is 0-6 on home ice in their last six matchups against the Lightning.
The edge goes to Tampa Bay’s goaltending. Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected in the net and he’s held six straight opponents to two or fewer goals. Meanwhile, Chicago’s expected to start Arvid Soderblom, who has a woeful 3.97 GAA.
Tampa Bay is 17-9 ATS on the road this season. Chicago is also 18-9 ATS at home, however, the Lightning have more star players and depth, better goaltending, and a significant rest advantage.
The line has already moved from +100 to -105 for Tampa Bay to cover -1.5 puck line as road favorites. Let’s jump on this number right now and bet on the Lightning -1.5 against the Blackhawks.
Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 (-105)
St. Louis Blues vs. Dallas Stars
A Western Conference tilt between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars is where we’ll go for our second wager on tonight’s NHL slate. The total has been set to 5.5, implying oddsmakers expect goal scoring to be a premium.
No goaltenders have been confirmed yet, however, Jake Oettinger and Jordan Binnington are expected in the crease. Oettinger has held three of his past four opponents to two or fewer goals, while Binnington has been struggling, allowing 15 goals across his past three starts for St. Louis.
Dallas is coming off a lackluster 1-0 road loss to Columbus on Thursday night. The Stars are in the second half of a back-to-back and traveled back home to face a Blues offense ranked 32nd in goals per game at 2.40.
Binnington’s performance is the key factor in this matchup. The 5.5 goal total has already shifted from +104 odds to +102 odds.
Under 5.5 has hit in five of the Stars’ previous six games played. It’s also settled as a win in four straight matchups for the Blues.
Let’s fade these underperforming offenses and bet under 5.5 total goals while it’s still available at plus odds before tonight’s opening puck drop.
Pick: Under 5.5 Total Goals (+102)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Seattle Kraken
Let’s head out to the West Coast for our third and final wager between the Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken. The Kraken have already moved from home underdogs at -102 odds to marginal favorites at -115 odds.
Anaheim had previously cooled off following a red-hot start. However, the Ducks did just hand the Avalanche another loss during a 2-1 shootout win on the road in their last outing, rattling off their fifth straight win.
The Kraken finally snapped a four-game losing slump with a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night. After falling into a 1-0 deficit, Seattle scored four unanswered goals to beat a quality opponent on home ice.
Goaltenders are projected to be Lukas Dostal and Joey Daccord. Dostal has a 3.04 GAA and a 17-12-2 record, while Daccord is slightly better at 2.89 GAA with a 12-12-5 record as a starter.
Daccord has been a liability lately, allowing four or more goals in four of his previous five starts for Seattle. Dostal has been trending upward, holding opponents to two or fewer goals, including the Avalanche, in three of his past four outings.
Each team has had a full day’s rest, negating any advantage. Goaltending superiority currently goes to Dostal and the Ducks. Anaheim has also scored three or more goals in three of its past five wins, posting victories against the Stars, Kings, Rangers, and Avalanche.
Seattle is 11-8 at home this season, while Anaheim is 11-13 on the road. The Ducks’ hot streak will end at some point, but Daccord doesn’t inspire much confidence right now. Plus, the Kraken are 2-6 SU across their last eight matchups.
Let’s fade the steam and bet on the Anaheim Ducks to post a sixth straight win as a slight underdog at -104 moneyline odds in Seattle tonight.
Pick: Anaheim Ducks Moneyline (-104)
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