NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (1/16)

The NHL has an enormous 13-game slate to bet on Thursday night. Some of the marquee matchups include New Jersey vs. Toronto, Edmonton vs. Colorado, and Montreal vs. Dallas.

My NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions from last week’s edition went 2-0. Tampa Bay beat Boston 4-1 to go under 5.5 total goals at plus odds, while Colorado routed Minnesota on the road, 6-1, easily cashing the Avalanche moneyline at -140 odds.

I’m back with two NHL best bets to wager on tonight’s 13-game mega slate. Follow me on X at Matt_MacKay_ for more NHL free bets and weekly analysis.

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Thursday’s NHL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

New Jersey Devils vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

The New Jersey Devils will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on the road on Thursday night, looking to finally beat Toronto after losing both previous matchups at home in October and December. The Devils have been a streaky team lately, alternating wins and losses, beating the Kraken and Lightning, while losing to the Sharks, Rangers, and Panthers.

Jacob Markstrom is expected to start tonight, while Toronto goaltender, Joseph Woll, has already been confirmed in between the pipes. Woll has allowed nine goals in his last two starts, losing to Carolina and Dallas, the latter which came on home ice. Markstrom has been solid for New Jersey, holding three of the past four opponents he’s faced to two or fewer goals.

The Maple Leafs are 13-3 SU against the Devils in their last 16 head-to-head matchups. The under is another strong trend, hitting in five consecutive road games for New Jersey, while going under in four of Toronto’s last five home games.

The Devils will find a way to win this game for head coach Sheldon Keefe, who was Toronto’s head coach last season. New Jersey won against a good Tampa Bay team recently and lost in a shootout to the Panthers on Tuesday night. Toronto is currently riding a three-game losing skid, including a home shutout loss to a mediocre Vancouver Canucks offense. Toronto’s shaky goaltending works in New Jersey’s favor.

Let’s bet a unit on the Devils to win outright on the moneyline as road favorites.

Pick: Devils Moneyline (-132)

Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche

We head west to Ball Arena in Denver for what projects to be a great matchup between the Colorado Avalanche hosting the red-hot Edmonton Oilers. The Avalanche are 3-3 SU in their last six games played, alternating wins and losses. Colorado is 4-1 SU at home in their last five games, with their lone loss coming against Montreal in a shootout on January 4th.

Edmonton erased a two-goal deficit on Wednesday night in Minnesota to wind up winning 5-3, led by two goals from star center, Connor McDavid. The Oilers didn’t start Stuart Skinner in the net last night, so he should earn the start after resting. Skinner is coming off of two shutouts in his last three starts against Los Angeles and Boston.

Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start for Colorado in between the pipes. Blackwood has been excellent since being traded from San Jose to the Avalanche, allowing two or fewer goals in every start, yielding a 9-2-1 record for Colorado. Edmonton’s offense facing Blackwood is the key matchup in this game.

Edmonton is at a rest disadvantage after playing on Wednesday night, while Colorado last played at home on Tuesday, recording a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers. Both of these teams are playing well right now but we did see the Oilers slide against Pittsburgh, 5-3, for their only loss in the past eight games. That was a road game that saw Skinner allow five goals.

Colorado lost to Edmonton at home 4-1 back in November as a favorite. The Avalanche have scored three or more goals in all of their previous three wins entering tonight’s game, while being held to one or fewer goals during those three losses.

As tempting as it is to back Colorado’s moneyline odds as a slight home favorite, I’d rather bet a unit on under 6.5 total goals at -112 odds instead. This is due to high-quality goaltending on both ends, combined with Edmonton’s minimal rest after a hard-fought win against the Wild.

Pick: Under 6.5 Total Goals (-112)