NHL Picks Today: Friday, January 2
New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
Anyone who mentions Florida’s record in its most recent games is being disingenuous. The Panthers are 2-2-1 in their last five games, but those three defeats came on the second leg of a back to back and against two teams (Tampa Bay and Montreal) that are about ten games over .500. They face an opponent today that they must be expected to beat soundly. The Rangers currently sit at one game above .500. Florida has not lost to a team of this caliber in nearly a month.
The Rangers are also extra bad right now because they are struggling without injured captain J.T. Miller. Due to his absence, the Rangers have lost three games in a row. Because they lost those three games by an average of two goals and because Florida has won the last three games that directly followed a loss by two goals or more, it makes sense to play the Panthers -1.5. The moneyline is chalky, so you would be wise to place the Panthers ML in one of your parlays.
Seattle Kraken vs. Vancouver Canucks
Seattle is known for having a very good defense but a very bad offense. The Kraken, by a clear margin, score the fewest goals per game. So, generally, it makes sense to look to bet the “under” in their games. However, there are specific circumstances in which their defense struggles mightily. It is obvious that one should look to fade them when those circumstances apply because then both their offense and their defense will be very bad.
These circumstances apply today because they are traveling from their home venue to a road venue. This season, the Kraken have proven to be terrible in their first road game that follows a home game. They have lost their last four such road games. It is worth playing the Canucks -1.5 because the Kraken lost all four of those games by multiple goals. The Vancouver ML is pricey, so it would be wise to place the Canucks ML in a parlay – perhaps with the Panthers ML.
Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks
Minnesota is a team that could only merit concern because of its offense. The Wild own the fourth-best goal-scoring defense, so one can count on them to limit their opponent’s goal total. While their offense has been strengthened by the arrival of Quinn Hughes, whose 27 assists attests to the fact that he fits in very well with his new team, Minnesota’s weakness – relative to its elite defense – technically remains its offense. The Wild have a great outlook tonight because they won’t have to worry about scoring goals against Anaheim. The Ducks allow the third-most goals and have been struggling particularly in their most recent games. After giving up three goals to the offensively deficient Kraken, they have conceded a combined total of 15 goals in their last three games.
Minnesota is in a particularly good spot tonight because the Wild are 4-0 in their last four games that directly followed a one-goal loss (including losses that took place after regulation). Their defense and offense become extra solid in this situation. So, wager on Wild ML.
| Matchup | Pick | Odds | Confidence Level | Sportsbook |
| Rangers vs. Panthers | Panthers -1.5 | +180 | Highest | BetOnline |
| Kraken vs. Canucks | Canucks -1.5 | +153 | Highest | BetOnline |
| Wild vs. Ducks | Wild ML | -128 | Highest | BetOnline |
New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
Anyone who mentions Florida’s record in its most recent games is being disingenuous. The Panthers are 2-2-1 in their last five games, but those three defeats came on the second leg of a back to back and against two teams (Tampa Bay and Montreal) that are about ten games over .500. They face an opponent today that they must be expected to beat soundly. The Rangers currently sit at one game above .500. Florida has not lost to a team of this caliber in nearly a month.
The Rangers are also extra bad right now because they are struggling without injured captain J.T. Miller. Due to his absence, the Rangers have lost three games in a row. Because they lost those three games by an average of two goals and because Florida has won the last three games that directly followed a loss by two goals or more, it makes sense to play the Panthers -1.5. The moneyline is chalky, so you would be wise to place the Panthers ML in one of your parlays.
Seattle Kraken vs. Vancouver Canucks
Seattle is known for having a very good defense but a very bad offense. The Kraken, by a clear margin, score the fewest goals per game. So, generally, it makes sense to look to bet the “under” in their games. However, there are specific circumstances in which their defense struggles mightily. It is obvious that one should look to fade them when those circumstances apply because then both their offense and their defense will be very bad.
These circumstances apply today because they are traveling from their home venue to a road venue. This season, the Kraken have proven to be terrible in their first road game that follows a home game. They have lost their last four such road games. It is worth playing the Canucks -1.5 because the Kraken lost all four of those games by multiple goals. The Vancouver ML is pricey, so it would be wise to place the Canucks ML in a parlay – perhaps with the Panthers ML.
Minnesota Wild vs. Anaheim Ducks
Minnesota is a team that could only merit concern because of its offense. The Wild own the fourth-best goal-scoring defense, so one can count on them to limit their opponent’s goal total. While their offense has been strengthened by the arrival of Quinn Hughes, whose 27 assists attests to the fact that he fits in very well with his new team, Minnesota’s weakness – relative to its elite defense – technically remains its offense. The Wild have a great outlook tonight because they won’t have to worry about scoring goals against Anaheim. The Ducks allow the third-most goals and have been struggling particularly in their most recent games. After giving up three goals to the offensively deficient Kraken, they have conceded a combined total of 15 goals in their last three games.
Minnesota is in a particularly good spot tonight because the Wild are 4-0 in their last four games that directly followed a one-goal loss (including losses that took place after regulation). Their defense and offense become extra solid in this situation. So, wager on Wild ML.
. GL today. Great read as always.