Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (1/7)
It's hard to believe, but we're already halfway through the 2025-26 NHL regular season. The action continues on Wednesday with a five-game slate, including a heavyweight showdown in the nation's capital between the Stars and the Capitals.
Below, I'll dive into that game, as well as two others, from a sports betting perspective. Here are my top NHL picks & predictions for Wednesday, January 7th.
Wednesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)
Dallas Stars (+115) vs. Washington Capitals (-140) | O/U 6.0 (-118/-102)
The Stars (25-10-8) have been a force this season, but they're desperately trying to snap a six-game losing streak (0-3-3). They come into tonight's contest on the second night of a back-to-back, and this will be a tall task against a solid Capitals squad (22-15-6). Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
What stands out about Dallas' six-game losing streak is that they've allowed four or more goals in each of the six losses. Five of those six games have featured seven or more combined goals. Considering we have a couple of elite offenses going at it, I'm not going to overthink this one and just play the over.
So far in 2025-26, the Stars rank third in goals per 60 minutes (G/60 minutes) with a mark of 3.34, while the Capitals are sixth (3.26). Dallas also boasts the second-best power-play unit, which is cashing in at a 30% success rate. Only Edmonton (33.90%) is better.
Washington has struggled on special teams, ranking 30th on the power play (15.57%) and 27th on the penalty kill (76.87%). The Capitals should notch a few goals during 5-on-5 play, though, as they're second in G/60 minutes (2.95) during even-strength play, and will be taking on a Stars side that has the third-most giveaways during 5-on-5 play over the last 10 games (149). Let's take the over.
Bet: Over 6 Goals (-118)
Calgary Flames (+120) vs. Montreal Canadiens (-145) | O/U 6.0 (-115/-105)
The Flames (18-20-4) open up a five-game road trip on Wednesday, and the first stop is in Montreal to take on the feisty Canadiens (23-13-6). This cross-conference clash gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET from the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC.
Montreal continues to play solid hockey this season, coming into tonight's contest sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference with 52 points. The Habs are currently enjoying an 8-2-3 run, meaning they've logged at least one point in 11 of their last 13 games. Of those eight victories, six have come by two or more goals.
Considering the disparity between these two offenses, I think this is a great spot to take a plus-money flier on the Canadiens -1.5. But before I dive into my "anti-Flames offense" rant, I just want to mention that Calgary has a league-worst 175 giveaways over the last 10 games. That's not a great recipe when your next task is trying to slow down a Canadiens offense that boasts a sharp-shooting 12.86% shooting rate (second), while also ranking eighth on the power play (23.77%).
The Flames also remain one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL. Coming into Wednesday's game, Ryan Huska's club ranks 29th in G/60 minutes (2.59), 24th in expected goals per 60 minutes (xG/60 minutes) with a mark of 2.9, 31st in shooting rate (8.88%) and dead last on the power play (14.50%). This game has 4-2 or 5-2 written all over it. Give me the Habs to notch a multi-goal win.
Bet: Montreal Canadiens -1.5 (+165)
Ottawa Senators (+105) vs. Utah Mammoth (-125) | O/U 6.0 (-115/-105)
Let's wrap things up in Salt Lake City, where the Mammoth (20-20-3) are gearing up to host the Senators (20-16-5). This contest is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT.
I'll be jumping on the over in this cross-conference game as well. Starting with a few trends, the over is 4-1 in Ottawa's last five games, as well as 7-2 in their last nine road affairs. The over has cashed in seven of the last nine meetings between the teams, and the Mammoth are 6-1 to the over in their last seven home games.
I have my doubts concerning Utah's offense overall, but the Mammoth should have no issues hitting the three-goal mark in tonight's game. They draw a matchup against an Ottawa side that is currently ranked 24th in GA/60 minutes (3.22), 32nd in team SV% (.871) and 31st on the penalty kill (72.88%).
The Senators have been able to stay competitive thanks to their offense, which over the last 10 games ranks third in G/60 minutes (3.78) and sixth in shooting rate (12.42%). They're also sixth overall on the power play this season at 24.64%. I think we hit the 3-3 mark in this game, and then it'll only be a matter of time before the seventh goal finds the net and we cash our bet. Let's play the over.
Bet: Over 6 Goals (-115)