Following the Olympic Winter Games hiatus, we’re back with a loaded NHL slate tonight. Seven games are on tap for Friday, and shockingly, the Chicago Blackhawks are the biggest betting favorites.
There are a few notable matchups with playoff implications and betting value. It starts with an exciting Central Division matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars. There’s also the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens vs. Anaheim Ducks, and Minnesota Wild vs. Vegas Golden Knights.
I’ve got three NHL best bets to tail ahead of tonight’s opening puck drop. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay_ for more NHL analysis and free picks throughout the 2025-26 season.
Friday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars
The Avalanche and Stars sit atop a loaded Central Division, with Colorado holding a six-point lead. This is just the second time they’ve played this season, with Dallas recording a 5-4 road win.
Dallas is red-hot right now. The Stars are 10-0 SU in their last 10 games played, including multi-goal wins over Seattle, Vancouver, and Calgary since returning from the Olympic break.
Jake Oettinger and Mackenzie Blackwood are expected in the net for their respective teams tonight. Both netminders have held two straight opponents to three total goals, so this could be a physical, low-scoring affair.
The Avalanche are 2-5 SU in their last seven games against the Stars. Now, Dallas hosts, where they have won six straight games at American Airlines Center.
Let’s bet on Dallas to win outright as a rare home underdog at plus odds against their division rivals tonight.
Pick: Dallas Stars Moneyline (+106)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Anaheim Ducks
Montreal and Anaheim have both exceeded pre-season expectations. The Canadiens are 1-2 SU since returning to the ice, while the Ducks are 4-1 SU.
Anaheim’s lone loss during this stretch came against Colorado. Otherwise, the Ducks have been solid, beating the Oilers, Jets, Flames, and Islanders at home.
Anaheim has yet another game at the Honda Center tonight against the Canadiens’ third-ranked scoring offense. Sam Montembeault is confirmed in the crease for Montreal, while Lukas Dostal is expected for Anaheim.
Montembeault was lit up by the Islanders in his lone recent start, allowing four goals on 26 shots faced. Dostal has allowed four or more goals against top offenses like the Oilers, Jets, and Avalanche.
Despite Dostal’s shortcomings, the Ducks are 9-1 SU in their last 10 home games. Montreal is also 1-8 SU on the road against Anaheim in their last nine head-to-head matchups.
The Canadiens just lost 7-5 to San Jose, while Anaheim routed a good Islanders team 5-1 on Wednesday. I’m sticking with Anaheim at home as a moneyline pick’em against Montreal.
Pick: Anaheim Ducks Moneyline (-110)
Minnesota Wild vs. Vegas Golden Knights
We’ll wrap up with a great game in Vegas between the Wild and Golden Knights. Minnesota is healthy now, with Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov leading the offensive charge.
Vegas is dealing with injuries to several of its key scorers, including Mark Stone and William Karlsson. The Golden Knights are 5-10 SU in their last 15 games played.
Hill has been mediocre, allowing three or more goals in three straight starts since returning from the Olympic break. Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson is the better netminder, allowing four total goals across his previous three starts.
Minnesota is 7-2 SU in its last nine games. They have a better offense and goaltending tandem, which is why oddsmakers are slightly favoring the Wild on the road tonight.
Let’s finish with one final wager on the Minnesota Wild moneyline against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
Pick: Minnesota Wild Moneyline (-113)
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