Daily NHL betting guide: January 6
Getting a little skin in the game can make watching NHL hockey even more exciting.
During the 2021-22 season, Daily Faceoff will help you become an improved bettor thanks to this betting model and our betting tools.
NHL MODEL PICKS
Each day we will look at each game, the Sportsbook Odds (via PointsBet), and the odds of each team winning based on the model created by Philip Bulsink. Based on those two numbers, we can quickly identify which teams we need to bet on, which teams to avoid and which lines to keep an eye on throughout the day.
You can quickly determine which teams are the best bets by following this simple table:
All “Recommended Bets” are 1 unit wagers.
I will also provide some analysis on the best bets and update this post throughout the day to point out big injury news, lineup changes, and backup goalies starting.
The number to keep an eye on is the “Diff.” which is the percentage difference between the model’s projected Win% and the projected Win% based on PointsBet odds. To find out how odds turn into percentages, use our Odds Calculator.
Model’s Picks
Recommended Bets
Minnesota Wild (@ BOS)
The Wild have struggled a little bit of late, but a lot of that can be attributed to injuries. While Jared Spurgeon and Joel Eriksson Ek remain out, they will get Jonas Brodin back on Thursday. Additionally, star prospects Marco Rossi and Matthew Boldy are expected to make their NHL debuts after shredding the AHL over the last three months. They will provide enough of a spark to make the Wild an intriguing bet at +151.
1 Unit Bet: MIN +151
Arizona Coyotes (vs. CHI)
This might be the only time we recommend a bet on the Coyotes this season, but there appears to be some value on them at +142. The Coyotes are playing a lot better as of late and are set to face a Blackhawks team that has lost seven straight. Chicago’s offense is among the worst in the NHL, so there’s a chance the Coyotes could steal this in a low-scoring affair.
1 Unit Bet: ARI +142
Anaheim Ducks (vs. DET)
The model sees the healthy version of the Anaheim Ducks, but they were extremely shorthanded in their most recent game due to COVID-19 protocol. They could get Trevor Zegras back, which would make them more appealing, so wait on that news before placing this bet. Detroit has lost three in a row on the road and is an ugly 4-10-1, while averaging 2.47 goals for and 4.20 goals against away from home this season.
1 Unit Bet: ANA -134 (if Zegras plays)
Proceed with Caution ⚠️
Columbus Blue Jackets (@ NJD)
Both of these teams come into Thursday’s game shorthanded, so this is a tough game to handicap and a difficult game for the model to get a grasp on. While it’s entirely possible that the Blue Jackets beat a Devils team that will likely be without Nico Hischier, Pavel Zacha and Dougie Hamilton, they have the fourth worst xGF% (43.38) in the NHL over their last 10 games–fourth-worst in xGF and xGA over that span.
Tyler Yaremchuk’s Picks
Game Pick
Florida Panthers in regulation vs. Dallas Stars (+105)
The Panthers have been rolling since coming out of the COVID break, winning four in a row and scoring 24 goals in the process. That’s insane production and I like their chances of keeping the ball rolling tonight against a Stars team that hasn’t played a game since Dec. 20.
One area that does worry me here is that the Panthers have been a sub-par road team and the Stars have been great at home, but I’m still taking the hot hand here and rolling with the Panthers to win in regulation.
Prop Pick
Jack Hughes Over 0.5 assists vs. CBJ (+100)
A heartbreaking loss last night as Jordan Kyrou scored, but didn’t get an assist. It was a tough night all around, but we’ll try to bounce back tonight.
Jack Hughes has picked up six assists in his last four games and tonight, the Devils will be going up against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have allowed 17 goals in their three games since the COVID break. I think the Devils can get some goals on the board and I think Hughes can be involved.