Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, January 5

There are only three games tonight in the NHL, but two of them have real value when it comes to the sports gambling side. The two games set to be played offer excellent value, even though one team is much better. These are the games to watch for good betting chances. The odds offered by DraftKings tonight are providing great opportunities for both NHL fans and casual bettors to potentially win big.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Friday

• Moneyline: Hurricanes (-170) | Capitals (+142)

• Puck Line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+145) | Capitals +1.5 (-175) 

• Total: Over 6 (-110) | Under 6 (-110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Skate into NHL action with DraftKings – Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets!

My Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (CAR)

Kicking off this Friday's slate of NHL matchups is the Eastern Conference matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals. This game tonight will be the second matchup between the Hurricanes and the Capitals.

The Capitals defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime on December, 17. Washington goalie Darcy Kuemper accounted for 28 saves on 29 attempts. Three different players contributed to goals in the game.

Carolina is on a four-game win streak, which includes a 3-2 win at the Toronto Maple Leafs and a 6-1 win at the New York Rangers this past Tuesday. Washington, on the other hand, is having a tough six-game performance, as they only won one game in the last six matchups. Their lone win was a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins this past Tuesday. They are coming off a 6-3 loss at home to the New Jersey Devils.

Carolina comes into this game with the eighth-ranked scoring offense, as they average 3.39 goals per game. Their offense is faster and more electric as opposed to Washington's, which has an offense that is slow and methodical. The Capitals only average 2.36 goals per game, 30th in the league.

Defensively, the Hurricanes and the Capitals are using the same efficiency measures. Washington is ranked 11th in the league in goals per game allowed, allowing an average of 2.89 goals, followed quickly by Carolina, whose ranks 14th in the league, allowing an average of 3.05 goals per game.

Carolina has progressed into one of the top Eastern Conference teams in the league since the loss to Washington. They should be coming out of this game with more productivity on the office side, as opposed to the previous matchup.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks

• Time: 8:00 PM E.T. - Thursday

• Moneyline: Flames (+102) | Predators (-122)

• Puck Line: Flames +1.5 (-245) | Predators -1.5 (-200) 

• Total: Over 6 (-115) | Under 6 (-105)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet $5 and get $150 Bonus Bet + NBA League Pass at DraftKings.

My Pick: Winnipeg Jets (CAR)

The final game of the night is set for a Western Conference matchup as the Winnipeg Jets go on the road to take on the Anaheim Ducks in one of the closest games of the night. This will be the second match of this season between these two teams and the game will be at Anaheim.

The Jets previously defeated the Ducks with a 4-2 win on the road on December 10. Four players for the Jets were able to score a goal, while defender Josh Morrissey was the only player to account for more than one assist.

Since the win over the Ducks, the Jets have won eight of the last 11 games played. They are currently on a four-game winning streak, which includes two wins over the Minnesota Wild and a 4-2 win at home versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Anaheim, on the other hand, has only played three games since the last two Winnipeg games. They have played ten games since that loss and are currently on a three-game losing streak. Their most disappointing loss was New Year's Eve at home versus the Edmonton Oilers, when the Ducks’ defense collapsed and allowed the Oilers to score seven goals.

Winnipeg is among the top offensive teams in the league, and they are second in the NHL in goals allowed per game (2.43). The Ducks are 29th in the league in goals per game (2.51) and have been getting better defensively, but a 7-2 loss to the Oilers suggests otherwise.

This game should be a no-brainer to make as fans who bet on the Jets should come away with more significant earnings than previously anticipated.

For more betting opportunities check out our best NHL betting bonuses and promo codes.