Daily NHL betting guide: January 3rd
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
Proceeed with Caution ⚠️
New York Rangers (vs. EDM)
The model really likes the Rangers tonight but they are going to be without Artemi Panarin, who was added to the COVID-19 protocol list before Sunday’s game. Sure they shut out the Lightning 4-0 but they were dominated and Igor Shesterkin was terrific. With a back-to-back on-tap, Alexandar Georgiev will likely start Monday. Even with the Oilers’ recent struggles, it’s difficult to get too eager about a Rangers team without Panarin and Shesterkin.
If for whatever reason, they go back to Shesterkin tonight, I like the Rangers as home underdogs +106.
1 Unit Bet: NYR +106 (if Shesterkin starts again)
BONUS Prop Bet:
Since there’s a good chance I am not recommending a bet tonight, here’s a bonus Prop Bet for you tonight: Mika Zibanejad to score a goal +164.
The Oilers aren’t exactly a defensively sound hockey team and their goaltending has been dreadful, so it’s not hard to imagine one of the NHL’s hottest scorers getting another one tonight. Coming into Monday’s game, Zibanejad has goals in four of his last five games with six goals total over that stretch. Additionally, he’s averaging 5.0 shots per game in those games, giving him plenty of opportunities to get one past Mikko Koskinen (projected to start).
RECORD: 43-33 (+0.45 Units)
Tyler Yaremchuk’s Picks
Game Pick
Oilers vs Rangers over 6.5 (-115)
Since the NHL returned from its pause, we have seen an average of 7.1 goals per game. Scoring is up over the last week and I think that trend will continue tonight. Since December 1st, the Oilers are 23rd in goals against per game and while the Rangers are top five in that time when it comes to preventing goals, they do have ten goals in their last three games. The last time these two teams met, the final score was 6-5 and there’s a chance the goaltending matchup tonight is the same that it was back in that game (Koskinen vs Georgiev). I like the over here.
Prop Pick
Zach Hyman over 0.5 points (-130)
I think there will be a lot of goals tonight so betting on a player who gets top-line minutes and is the net-front presence on the Oiler’s top power-play unit feels like a good bet. He has just one point in his last three games, an assist on Saturday against the Islanders, but I like the chances of Hyman finding the scoresheet tonight in what could be a high-scoring affair.
RECORD: 67-44-3 (+15.7 units)