After a Monday night with not much action (only three games), the NHL returns with a big slate of games. For January 10th, there are seven games scheduled and plenty of intriguing matchups. With the NHL returning to action and the season picking up momentum as teams start to prepare for a big stretch of games from now until the All-Star break, there are plenty of good games to find favorable and profitable bets.
Columbus Blue Jackets (-110) Vs. Chicago Blackhawks
| Blue Jackets stat line | 16 wins in 33 games | 3.12 goals per game | 3.55 goals against per game |
| Blackhawks stat line | 12 wins in 35 games | 2.29 goals per game | 3.40 goals against per game |
The Blue Jackets and Blackhawks are both looking to make up ground in their respective divisions. The Blackhawks have played better in the recent games, but the Blue Jackets look to find favorable matchups on both ends of the ice. The Blue Jackets defense should step up and limit the Blackhawks top-heavy offense with Jake Bean, Zach Werenski, and the rest of the defensive unit stepping up at the blue line and cutting off angles to the net while Elvis Merlikins steps up and blanks shots on the net.
The Blue Jackets offense, meanwhile, will run up the score against the Blackhawks struggling offense with Max Domi, Boone Jenner, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the odd-man rush and establishing a strong offensive zone presence. Moreover, the Blue Jackets will find open shots with great puck movement in the offensive zone while Adam Boquist and Zach Werenski pick apart the Blackhawks defense from the point.
The Blue Jackets will win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Also Consider: Over 6 – Both teams look poised to pile on the goals against two struggling defenses and find the back of the net throughout the game.
Under 6 – Tampa Bay Lightning Vs. Buffalo Sabres
| Lightning stat line | 23 wins in 37 games | 3.24 goals per game | 2.86 goals against per game |
| Sabres stat line | 10 wins in 34 games | 2.62 goals per game | 3.47 goals against per game |
The Lightning travel to Buffalo to face a struggling Sabres team. The Lightning offense has been great but both teams are led by their defenses and even better goaltenders. The Sabres should limit the Lightning offense with Colin Miller, Rasmus Dahlin, and the rest of the defensive unit limiting passing lanes for the Lightning forwards while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen blanks shots on the net.
The Lightning meanwhile should eliminate and potentially shut out the hapless Sabres offense with Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, Jan Rutta, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone alike while limiting shots on the net. Moreover, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is having a great season in the net and looks to cover up the initial shots on the net and eliminate second-chance scoring opportunities for the Sabres.
The Under will cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defenses.
Anaheim Ducks (+125) Vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
| Ducks stat line | 19 wins in 38 games | 2.97 goals per game | 2.71 goals against per game |
| Penguins stat line | 20 wins in 34 games | 3.26 goals per game | 2.50 goals against per game |
The Penguins have been playing great lately and are climbing the Metropolitan Division standings. It’s easy to think they will add on another win on the road, but the Ducks are having a great season and look to exploit mismatches on both ends of the ice. The Ducks should limit the Penguins’ offense with Kevin Shattenkirk, Hampus Lindholm, Cam Fowler, and the rest of the defensive unit controlling the blue line to limit the Penguins from finding quick scoring chances on the odd-man rush. In addition, goaltender John Gibson should step up and blank the Penguins’ shots on the net.
The Ducks offense, meanwhile, will look to run up the score with Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, and the rest of the forward unit creating quick shots on the wing and the odd-man rush while also establishing a strong offensive zone presence. The Ducks will also allow Kevin Shattenkirk to open up the offense from the blue line by finding open skaters near the net while also generating shots through traffic.
The Ducks will win the game and provide great odds in the process as home Underdogs.
Also Consider: Over 6 – Both the Penguins and the Ducks have talented forward units that should find the back of the net throughout the game and create quick shots on the rush throughout the game.
Over 6 – Toronto Maple Leafs Vs. Vegas Golden Knights
| Maple Leafs stat line | 22 wins in 33 games | 3.39 goals per game | 2.48 goals against per game |
| Golden Knight stat line | 23 wins in 38 games | 3.47 goals per game | 2.97 goals against per game |
The Maple Leafs face the Golden Knight in a matchup between two of the best teams in the NHL. Both teams have talented defenses but are led by their forward units and look to find the back of the net throughout the game. The Golden Knights will create plenty of scoring opportunities with Reilly Smith, Mark Stone, Jonathan Marchessault, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and finding quick shots on the net. Moreover, the Golden Knights defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore will help pick apart the Maple Leafs defense with great shots on the net from the point.
The Maple Leafs will also pile on the goals with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and quick shots on the net with great puck movement. The Maple Leafs will also create open ice in the center of the offensive zone to allow Matthews, Nick Ritchie, and the backend of the forward unit to find open shots near the net to overwhelm the Golden Knights.
The Over will cover in a high-scoring game controlled by both offenses.
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