NHL Best Bets Today, 1/23: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday
We have a loaded 11-game slate tonight and there are options abound for NHL best bets today!
This is an awesome slate with so much scoring potential and some very clear player props to target.
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/23
The NHL season rolls on with some massive slates and we're getting incredible action every night.
The scoring was on display last night with 5+ goals from multiple teams.
Blue Jackets vs. Hurricanes Prediction: Thursday, January 23rd
The Columbus Blue Jackets are coming off a big 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs last night, but they face another tough test tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The calling card for the Hurricanes over the last few seasons has been tons and tons of shots or shot attempts. Since the start of January, the Hurricanes come in with 75.08 Total Shot Attempts Created per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the best in the NHL.
On the other side, the Blue Jackets have allowed 64.18 Total Shot Attempts in the same situations since the start of January, which is the sixth-most in the league. We have a matchup of two teams at the opposite ends of the shot creation and shot prevention spectrum, and it's all about the Canes tonight.
Let's turn to Andrei Svechnikov, who leads the Hurricanes with 133 shots on goal this season, or 2.7 per game. Over his last eight games, Svechnikov has hit three shots on goal five times, due to his role on the first forward line and the first power-play unit.
This is a very clear spot for Svechnikov to continue piling up the shots against a weaker defensive team.
- Expert Picks Blue Jackets vs. Hurricanes
- Andrei Svechnikov Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-114 on FanDuel)
Golden Knights vs. Blues Prediction: Thursday, January 23rd
It's been a weird stretch of games for the Vegas Golden Knights but they're still a team worth trusting in the prop market. Vegas has the third-most points in the NHL and yet they come in as losers of six of their last seven, including four straight.
Hockey can be a weird sport sometimes, but the best teams generally rise to the top and it can present a buy-low opportunity. Despite these losses, Vegas is still playing “well”, at least by my definition. Since the start of January, they come in with 64.46 Total Shot Attempts Created per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-best in the league.
They're doing the right things on offense, they just aren't scoring goals and getting rewarded for their efforts. This is something I can buy into – doing things the right way, but variance not falling in their favor.
This brings me to Pavel Dorofeyev, who has the second-most (138) shots on goal for Vegas this season. Over his last 10 games, he has at least two shots on goal in nine of those games, and over 2.5 in seven of them. He's a consistent option on offense for them and that's what they continue to need in this little slump.
- Expert Picks Golden Knights vs. Blues
- Pavel Dorofeyev Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-106 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/23
- Kirill Kaprizov Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+100 on FanDuel)
Player News
Yang Hansen amassed 10 points (4-of-8 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot.
After recording a complete 10/4/5/1/3 stat line in his summer debut on Friday, Yang was not as impactful on Saturday. The rookie recorded five turnovers, a reminder that there will be nights like this for the 20-year-old as he gets acclimated to the NBA game. However, Yang’s abilities as a facilitator were still evident, and that’s an area where he can offer value. Portland moving on from Deandre Ayton helped free minutes for Donovan Clingan, who will be the starting center, and Yang. However, Robert Williams III is also on the roster, and his presence may allow Portland to take a more conservative approach to Yang’s playing time next season.
Caleb Love shot 7-of-21 from the field and 1-of-2 from the foul line in Saturday’s loss to the Grizzlies, scoring 18 points with one rebound, one assist, one block and three three-pointers.
While Love finished Saturday’s defeat with a solid point total, this was not one of the rookie’s best efforts. He did not provide much value outside of points and three-pointers, and the undrafted rookie was inefficient as a scorer and playmaker. Love is on a two-way deal for the 2025-26 season, and becoming more consistent as a floor general will be critical for the former Arizona standout as he looks to solidify his place in the NBA.
Sidy Cissoko accumulated 20 points (7-of-14 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and three three-pointers in Saturday’s loss to the Grizzlies.
Cissoko is on a two-way contract, so his fantasy value for the 2025-26 season is virtually non-existent. However, players on those deals can earn opportunities throughout the season. Cissoko, who was traded twice before the February deadline, played well against the Grizzlies, but he’ll have to do a lot to crack a deep forward rotation in Portland.
Armando Bacot accounted for 14 points (4-of-9 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and four blocks.
The Grizzlies have used two of their three available two-way contract spots, meaning the competition for the final slot should be fierce. Bacot is among the candidates, and his performance against first-round pick Yang Hansen was solid. The former North Carolina standout recorded a double-double and blocked four shots, with the rim protection not being something he was known for as a collegian or during his 2024-25 season in the G League.
Jaylen Wells finished Saturday’s win over the Trail Blazers with 23 points (7-of-16 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and two three-pointers.
While Wells was one of the most impressive players in last season’s rookie class, he only had two games in which he scored 23 points or more. With Desmond Bane no longer in the picture in Memphis, Wells is one of the players with more opportunities to contribute offensively. Saturday’s performance was excellent, as the second-year wing’s scoring did not diminish his defensive value. With the Grizzlies having played in Salt Lake City last weekend, it’s fair to wonder if Wells will be shut down soon. Regardless of what happens, he’ll offer solid fantasy upside next season.
Bo Bichette doubled twice and drove in a run in a loss Saturday to the Athletics.
Bichette is now tied for third in doubles with 25 on the season. The 27-year-old has been on fire over the past week, as this was his third multi-hit game since Monday. Bichette’s overall numbers are solid as well with a slash of .283/.325/.445, 53 RBI and 12 homers over 389 at-bats.