NHL Best Bets Today, 1/29: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
We have a solid five-game NHL slate to get us through the middle of the week and the story tonight is injuries.
A few teams are starting to see players pile up on the injury report and it changes lines and roles for the remaining players. With that said, let's jump into today's NHL Best Bets!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/29
While NHL injuries suck to see in terms of real-life hockey and putting the best product on the ice, it does open up an opportunity in the prop market.
If we believe certain players are due for an increased role, we can jump on props early before the sportsbooks react, which is perfect for our NHL best bets today.
Flyers vs. Devils Prediction: Wednesday, January 29th
The other night, we were under the impression that the New Jersey Devils' top-line center, Nico Hischier, was day-to-day and would be a minor issue. Today, we got the update that he is “week-to-week”, which changes our view of their players and their props.
While Jack Hughes is always a solid option, let's turn to Jesper Bratt, who should be looking to do a bit more on the offensive end to make up for Hischier being out. Long story short, Hughes' props are always in the same spot, but I believe we can jump on some Bratt props now and moving forward.
He comes in with 27 shots on goal in his last 10 games and while some of that sample size is with Hischier in the lineup, it's good to see he has at least three shots in each of his last four games. Three of those game occurred with Hischier in the lineup, a good indication that he's already a consistent shooter for the Devils.
When it comes to the matchup versus the Flyers, it's the same one we saw on Monday night where Bratt had six shots on goal. Bratt's prop is only at 2.5 and we're still getting plus money on it. I'm anticipating that it will stay at 2.5 for a few games but the juice will shift to the over. Let's jump on this while we can.
- Expert Flyers vs. Devils Picks:
- Jesper Bratt Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+122 on FanDuel)
- New Jersey 3-Way Money Line (-110 on FanDuel)
Wild vs. Maple Leafs Prediction: Wednesday, January 29th
The Maple Leafs come into this game on a two-game losing and I expect them to come away with the win over the short-handed Minnesota Wild.
A lack of scoring over the last two games for the Leafs but it hasn't been for a lack of trying, as they've out-shot their opponents in these last two losses. If they're going to bounce back with a win, I expect a good performance out of their best player, Auston Matthews.
He was held to just a single shot on goal in their most recent game versus the Ottawa Senators, but that shouldn't be the case tonight versus Minnesota. Since the start of the month, the Wild have allowed 62.9 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-worst in the league.
For the Lefas, over that same time and in the same situations, they've created 61.38 Total Shot Attempts, which is the 11th-highest in the league. The Leafs need to get back in the win column and Matthews will lead the way tonight.
- Expert Wild vs. Maple Leafs Picks:
- Auston Matthews Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (-132 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/29
- Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators over 5.5 Toal (-118 on FanDuel)
Player News
J.P. Crawford singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th as the Mariners edged the Yankees 2-1 on Tuesday.
Crawford was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts before his liner to left barely dropped into fair territory and plated the automatic runner in the 11th. It gave him his first RBI in nine games. He’s currently hitting .271/.378/.364 for the season.
Bryan Woo blanked the Yankees for 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision Tuesday.
Woo has come up big for the Mariners in pitching at least six innings every time out this season and going 4-1 with a 2.84 ERA. The 1-0 lead he left with tonight didn’t hold up, but the Mariners did prevail in extra innings to move to 6-2 in Woo’s starts. He’ll face the White Sox next time out.
Andrés Muñoz was charged with a blown save after giving up an unearned run in the ninth Tuesday against the Yankees.
Muñoz created his own trouble by hitting Paul Goldschmidt to start the ninth, but that was the only mistake he made as a pair of grounders went on to score pinch-runner Pablo Reyes. Muñoz still hasn’t given up an earned run this season.
Max Fried allowed one run over five innings before being lifted against the Mariners on Tuesday.
Fried needed 91 pitches to get his 15 outs, so he didn’t come back out for the sixth. Still, he was effective in allowing four hits and striking out five. He’ll take a 1.11 ERA into his next start, which will likely come Sunday against the Mets.
Devin Williams pitched a perfect 10th in a tie game Tuesday against the Mariners.
Williams followed Luke Weaver, who worked flawless eighth and ninth innings before the game went to extras. It’s Williams’ third straight scoreless appearance and sixth in seven games since he was pulled from the closer’s role. Weaver hasn’t had any issues, either, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Williams get a save chance sometime soon.
Robbie Ray allowed three runs over six innings and struck out nine in the Giants’ 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
Ray joined Max Fried as the only pitchers off to 6-0 starts thus far this season, and the Giants have gone 9-0 in his outings. His peripherals are significantly worse than his 3.04 ERA, but he’s definitely performed better in his last four starts than he did in his first five, when he seemed more lucky than good. He’ll pitch at home against the Royals next time out.