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NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (1/13)

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We have a small three-game slate of hockey on Friday with some great matchups. Below, I give out my three best bets for Friday’s NHL slate.

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All odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Today’s Best NHL Betting Picks

 

New Jersey Devils (-275) @ Anaheim Ducks (+220) | O/U 6.5 (-115/-105)

The Metropolitan Division’s New Jersey Devils host the Pacific Division’s Anaheim Ducks in a cross-country matchup on Friday. First-period overs have recently been a hot bet in Anaheim’s games, cashing in each of its last eight contests.

This trend should continue in this game as goaltender John Gibson is slated to take the crease for the Ducks. It has been a tough campaign for Gibson, who is 7-18-3 with a .896 save percentage (SV%) and 4.07 goals against average (GAA) through 28 starts.

Based on his metrics, positive regression is unlikely for the veteran netminder. Among starting goaltenders, Gibson ranks 21st in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.

Unfortunately for Gibson, he starts behind one of the worst defenses in hockey. At 5-on-5, Anaheim ranks last in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

To make matters even worse, the Devils rank first in the league in expected goals per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. New Jersey will likely cash this first period over by itself, but there is an excellent safety cushion on this play just in case the period ends 1-1.

Best Bet: 1P Over 1.5 (-145)

 

Edmonton Oilers (-155) @ San Jose Sharks (+135) | O/U 6.5 (-130/+110)

In Friday’s nightcap, there is a Pacific Division tilt, with the fifth-place Edmonton Oilers traveling to San Jose to take on the seventh-place Sharks. Speaking of first periods, San Jose has been terrible to start games recently.

Over their last eight contests, the Sharks are 0-8 ATS in the first period. This trend will likely continue, with goaltender James Reimer projected to start between the pipes for San Jose.

It has been a brutal campaign for the veteran netminder, who is 7-13-3 with a .895 SV% and 3.26 GAA through 23 starts. Based on his metrics, positive regression is unlikely for Reimer.

At 5-on-5, he ranks second-to-last among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60. This poor play should continue against the Oilers, a team Reimer has fared poorly against over the last couple of seasons.

Across his last ten starts against Edmonton, the Sharks’ netminder is 2-3-5 with a .872 SV% and 3.74 GAA. That is bad news against a Connor McDavid-led offense, who have now won the first period in four of their last five games.

Best Bet: Oilers 1P -0.5 (+145)

 

Winnipeg Jets (+150) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (-182) | O/U 6 (-134/+110)

On NHL Network, the Metropolitan Division’s Pittsburgh Penguins host the Central Division’s Winnipeg Jets in what should be an entertaining affair. With both backup goaltenders slated to start between the pipes, six goals should not be too difficult to come by.

Since Winnipeg is on the second half of a back-to-back and Connor Hellebuyck started last night, goaltender David Rittich is set to start for the Jets. While Rittich has been solid in the backup role this season, his game is beginning to slip as he has posted a .891 SV% and 3.56 GAA over his last two starts.

Based on his metrics, this slide could continue in this game. If he qualified, Rittich would rank 23rd among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5.

Across the ice, a similar situation is brewing with backup goaltender Casey DeSmith. Over his last six games, DeSmith possesses a .878 SV% and 3.94 GAA.

Meanwhile, these offenses should thrive against two struggling backup goaltenders, as each team ranks in the league’s top half in xGF60 at 5-on-5. There have now been six or more total goals scored in each of the Jets’ last four games and in six of the Penguins’ last eight, two trends that are likely to continue in this matchup.

Best Bet: Over 6 (-134)

Best of luck!

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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.