NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (1/8)
We’ve got a huge 12-game slate on the docket for this evening, including some juicy matchups to look at. Let’s dive in.
Thursday’s NHL Best Bets & Picks
Anaheim Ducks @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Canes (26-14-3) sit atop the Metro Division and are tied with the Lightning for most points in the Eastern Conference. They are also fully healthy again after missing Sebastian Aho for some time at the end of 2025. The Ducks (21-19-3) have lost seven in a row and have tumbled out of the playoff picture after a blazing hot start to the year. The reason? They cannot stop anyone from scoring. During their losing streak, they have allowed 35 goals while only scoring 17. There is way too much firepower in Carolina for Anaheim to keep up, so let’s hit the puck line and assume Aho will pick up a couple of points.
Pick: Carolina -1.5 (+119)
Pick: Sebastian Aho 2+ Points (+196)
Nathan MacKinnon 2+ Assists (+170)
The NHL’s best team plays host to the Senators, who have the worst save percentage in the league. Nathan MacKinnon has not tallied a point in his last two games and is now one behind Connor McDavid for the league lead. The law of averages, coupled with the fact that Ottawa is terrible, suggests it’s going to be a very big night for Mr. MacKinnon. The books know it, too, and have his anytime goal at -125 and picking up two points at -164. Therefore, let’s go where the money is and see if he can pick up two helpers tonight.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Vegas Golden Knights
In what should be another lopsided contest, the Golden Knights (18-11-12) play host to the lowly Blue Jackets (18-17-7). Columbus is frisky, but they’re not that frisky. And while Vegas loves to play close games (seriously – 12 have gone to overtime), I don’t foresee this one going that direction, but the trend is too strong to pick the puck line. Therefore, we’ll put a points parlay together and get plus money instead. Zach Werenski has a point in 13 of his last 15 games, while Mitch Marner had three points the last time these two teams met back on December 13.
Pick: Zach Werenski + Mitch Marner Point Parlay (+103)