Happy Monday and Martin Luther King Jr. day everyone! Hopefully you have a place of business that gives you today off so you can stay in and bet on some hockey all day long! This is the PSA, the first game starts at noon ET but many games also drop the puck at 1pm ET so be ready! In today's article there is no Dog of the Day (not forcing bets) but there is a pair of Money Line wager and a game total to check out! If you like the rationale then tail the picks, if you don't feel free to fade as sometimes the best bets are the ones not taken!

  • Season Record: 72-61-3
  • Bankroll: +4.85 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 6-8 (+1.05 Units)

Follow me on twitter @jwaggs10

**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

NHL Best Bets for January 15th

New York Islanders at Minnesota Wild

I must say it really pains me that this pick came up with a edge through the model because I hate the Islanders this season and have gotten burned betting on them and against them all season long. But numbers are numbers and they don't lie so here we go, the Islanders are in almost every game they play as they've gone to overtime in 15 games this season. They've been a pesky team scoring 3.02 goals per game but the matchup is good and this pick is more about fading the Wild than anything else. Minnesota has now lost 8 of their last 10 games and has sunk to a -23 goal differential on the season. They've become one of the worst teams in Corsi metrics and xGF over the past month and have some key injuries. I don't like the Islanders normally but when they shoe fits, you take the shoe on the Money Line to win the hockey game. 

Pick: New York Islanders Money Line (-120 on BetMGM)

 

Seattle Kraken at Pittsburgh Penguins

It seems to me that this fantastic run of taking the Kraken to win has come to an end this afternoon as they get set for a matinee against the Penguins. I like the Kraken a lot moving forward I just think this is a troublesome matchup for them as the Penguins dominate puck possession and produce scoring chances at a top rate. The Kraken have also struggled with top tier defenseman this season and with Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson they will have their hands full. The Penguins also have a locked in Tristian Jarry back in the net after some time away and has stopped 51 of the last 54 shots he's faced. I also like the under for what it's worth so there may be a same game parlay to be had but for this matchup I will throw my bet down on the Money Line of the Penguins side. 

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins Money Line (-140 on BetMGM)

 

Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens

The Avalanche are a runaway train on offense right now and I am here for it! They have scored 4+ goals in 5 of the last 6 games in which 5 of those games during that span did go over as well. They've also been bad defensively on the road allowing 3.7 goals per game over the past month which has the antenna up for an over the game total bet! Its a crowd pleasing bet but one that takes discipline so let's look into Montreal. The Habs have allowed 3.55 goals per game on home ice this season, the 5th most in the NHL and are scoring 2.55 goals per game. Safe to say we shouldn't rely on the Habs to cover their end past 2 goals but I do feel that 5 or more is in the cards for the Avs tonight. It will be tight but over 6.5 goals is the play in this game, no doubt. 

Pick: Avalanche & Canadiens Over 6.5 Goals (-115 on BetMGM)