NHL Best Bets Today, 1/24: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday
We have a four-game NHL slate to close out the week before a loaded weekend of games.
We've seen great action all week across the league and that should continue tonight with some solid matchups to look at for today's NHL Best Bets!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/24
It's been an up-and-down week with great results on Wednesday, and lackluster results yesterday.
We forge forward with some simple prop bets tonight to keep things as simple as possible.
Flyers vs. Islanders Prediction: Friday, January 24th
While the New York Islanders aren't traditionally known for their offense, they have been playing better since the start of January and will look to continue that tonight versus the Philadelphia Flyers.
Since the turn of the calendar to January, the Islanders come in generating 67.18 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-best in the NHL. I know, it's shocking to see them this high but they're playing fast and generating chances, which lead to shots on goal.
That all starts with Bo Horvat, who is the center on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, which has led him to rack up a team-high 36 shots on goal over his last 10 games. He has at least three shots on goal in nine of his last 10 games. Horvat is remarkably consistent in the shot department, and this is as simple of a prop bet as we can find tonight.
For the Flyers, they are exceedingly average defensively when it comes to preventing shot attempts and it shouldn't slow down Horvat tonight.
- Expert Flyers vs. Islanders Picks:
- Bo Horvat Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-120 on DraftKings)
Utah Hockey Club vs. Jets Prediction: Friday, January 24th
The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the strongest teams all season and they have a ton of different players to consider in the prop market. Tonight, they'll be up against the Utah Hockey Club, who comes in on a three-game winning streak, and frankly, have been playing a bit above their head.
Keeping things in line with a simple approach tonight, we'll turn to Nikolaj Ehlers for his shot prop. Generally speaking, Kyle Connor is the player to trust for shots when it comes to the Jets' offense, but he's taken a slight step back recently. Over the last 10 games, Connor has 27 shots on goal while Ehlers has 26.
Ehlers has proven himself to be a consistent option and comes in with at least two shots on goal in eight of his last 10 games, putting him in play to hit this on most nights. Pushing to three shots on goal really shouldn't be an issue for Ehlers, who skates on the second forward line and the first power-play unit.
As for Utah, they are slightly worse than the league-average in terms of Total Shota Attempts Allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations since the start of January. This isn't a matchup we should be afraid of and in fact, we should trust one of the best offenses in the league to push the pace tonight.
- Expert Utah Hockey Club vs. Jets Picks:
- Nikolaj Ehlers Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-115 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/24
- Tampa Bay Lightning 3-Way Money Line (-145 on DraftKings)
Player News
Kel’el Ware accounted for 21 points (8-of-15 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), 15 rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block and three three-pointers in Monday’s win over the Celtics.
Give Ware credit for responding to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s recent comments about the young center’s need to improve his professionalism and consistency. The 7-footer shot 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in Monday’s victory and grabbed 15 rebounds. Once he moved into the starting lineup last season, Ware was able to develop into a solid fantasy option in standard leagues. He possesses a high ceiling heading into Year 2, especially if he’s consistently aggressive on both ends of the floor.
Pelle Larsson recorded 24 points (7-of-14 FGs, 9-of-10 FTs), two rebounds, six assists and one three-pointer in Monday’s win over the Celtics.
Larsson and the Heat picked up their first win of the summer on Monday, and he led the way offensively as a scorer and playmaker. While Kel’el Ware being called out over the weekend grabbed the headlines, he wasn’t the only Heat player whose competitiveness left something to be desired in Miami’s first two games. Larsson stepped up against the Celtics, and the Heat will need him consistently next season.
Hugo González tallied 10 points (3-of-12 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in Monday’s loss to the Heat.
While González has not shot the ball well in his two appearances in Las Vegas, going 7-of-24 from the field, the competitiveness and ability to contribute in various ways have been on display. The first-round pick was solid on the glass and as a playmaker, which was also the case in Boston’s win over the Grizzlies on Friday. Due to the changes to the Celtics’ roster, González will have opportunities to contribute next season. While not a lock to be fantasy-relevant next season, he’s worth holding in dynasty league drafts.
Baylor Scheierman amassed 19 points (7-of-18 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, nine assists, five steals and four three-pointers in Monday’s loss to the Heat.
Scheierman had another productive showing on Monday, finishing one assist shy of a double-double. With Jayson Tatum set to miss most of the 2025-26 season, if not all of it, as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon, and Jrue Holiday gone, rotation minutes will be available on the perimeter. Scheierman’s ability to make plays for himself and others makes him someone to watch, even if he isn’t guaranteed to be fantasy-relevant.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said Monday that Kyrie Irving is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn left ACL.
Irving was injured in early March and does not have a concrete timeline for returning to game action. However, Harrison’s words about the point guard will spark optimism regarding his return to the court. “Kyrie’s ahead of schedule, but we kind of knew he would be because of the way he attacks his rehab,” Harrison said, according to the Dallas Hoops Journal. “He’s going two or three times a day. As much as he wants to rush it, we don’t want him to. But he’s going to be fine.” Due to Irving’s injury, the Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell in free agency and re-signed Dante Exum. They’ll handle the point guard responsibilities while Dallas awaits Kyrie’s return, with Russell being worth the risk in standard league drafts.
Jordan Walsh was ejected from Monday’s game against the Heat during the second quarter.
Walsh started well on Monday, but the 2023 second-round pick could not keep his cool, resulting in a premature trip to the showers. He picked up two technical fouls during the first half, the second after shoving Pelle Larsson out of bounds. With his contract for the 2025-26 season only partially guaranteed, Walsh can’t make his case from the locker room. He finished with 12 points, three rebounds, one steal and one three-pointer, shooting 5-of-8 from the field.