Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, January 22

This Monday starts a new week of NHL matchups that are not only going to be fun to watch but also present great value in the sports betting industry. Most of these great games are going to cross-conference matchups between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference teams. These oddsmakers are giving great opportunities for fans of the NHL and casual bettors to potentially earn some great winnings tonight through DraftKings.

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Vegas Golden Knights vs. New Jersey Devils

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Monday

• Moneyline: Golden Knights (+102) | Devils (-122)

• Puck Line: Golden Knights +1.5 (-250) | Devils -1.5 (+205) 

• Total: Over 6 (-120) | Under 6 (+100)

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My Pick: Vegas Golden Knights (VGK)

One of the top games of the new week is a cross-conference matchup between teams that are desperately attempting to revitalize their seasons. The Vegas Golden Knights (27-14-5) go on the road to take on the New Jersey Devils (23-18-3), who are playing their eighth consecutive game without star center Jack Hughes.

After an 11-0-1 start to the season, the Golden Knights haven't had the easiest transition towards the final two months of the season. After losing the first two games of the new year, the Golden Knights have won five of the last seven games. They have won three consecutive games against playoff-caliber teams.

The Devils also started the 2023-2024 NHL Season in great shape within their first 11 games. For a while, a combination of bad defensive play and missing center Jack Hughes to an upper-body injury derailed the Devils. New Jersey was on another solid streak until they lost Hughes to another upper-body injury. Since his injury in the 4-2 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks on January 5, the Devils are 2-5.

The Golden Knights are in one of their best stretches since the start of the season. In the last seven games, the Golden Knights have outscored their opponents 20-13. Their offense is still mostly inconsistent, but their defense has been stout. They haven't allowed more than three goals in any of the last seven games.

The Devils have remained one of the top offenses in the league as they have scored 19 goals in the last seven games. Their defense, however, has become worse in the seven games without Hughes. New Jersey has allowed 24 points in the last seven games.

Defensively, the Golden Knights are much more superior as they have allowed an average of 2.65 goals per game while the Devils have allowed an average of 3.48 goals.

Florida Panthers vs. Nashville Predators

• Time: 8:00 PM E.T. - Monday

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

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

• Total: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)

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My Pick: Florida Panthers (FLA)

One of the shortest-distanced Western Conference versus Eastern Conference matchups begins on Monday as the Nashville Predators (25-20-1) host the Florida Panthers (27-14-4). This is a matchup that is going to be determined by the strategic play of the Panthers and the Predators on both sides of the ice.

The Predators have been up-and-down for most of the season as they have been in the middle ground of the league. The last ten games are a good example of their lack of consistency. Nashville is 6-4 in its last ten games as they have lost to underwhelming teams such as Calgary and Anaheim. They have, however, found ways to win at the Dallas Stars with a 6-3 score and a 2-1 win at the Los Angeles Kings. Nashville is 13-11 in games at home this season.

The Panthers went on an incredible nine-game winning streak with stellar play on both sides of the ice before losing their last four. During the nine-game winning streak, the Panthers averaged 4.3 goals while allowing 1.9 goals. In the last four games, Florida has only averaged 2.75 goals while allowing an average of 4.5.

The Panthers are the more efficient team on both sides of the ice. They are ranked in the league in points per game (3.16) and fourth in goals allowed per game (2.64). The Predators have been in the middle ground of the league on both sides of the ice. They average 3.07 goals (18th in the NHL) and allow an average of 3.09 goals (16th in the NHL).

Florida is coming off a three-day rest, which should be a significant amount of time to re-establish their rhythm and shed this losing streak.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Arizona Coyotes

• Time: 9:00 PM E.T. - Monday

• Moneyline: Penguins (-148) | Coyotes (+124)

• Puck Line: Penguins -1.5 (+170) | Coyotes +1.5 (-205) 

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

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My Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins (PIT)

The final game of the night to feature two teams with a winning record is set as the Pittsburgh Penguins (21-16-6) go on the road to take on the Arizona Coyotes (22-19-3). The last time these teams faced each other, both the Penguins and the Coyotes struggled to get over .500%.

The Penguins defeated the Coyotes 4-2 in the only previous matchup this season on December 12. Penguins center Jeff Carter was the breakout star of the game by scoring two goals. Penguins forward Jake Guentzel also scored two goals. Coyotes forward Lawson Crouse accounted for one goal and an assist.

Both Pittsburgh and Arizona look to use this win to re-establish some consistency on the ice. The Coyotes have won five of their last 11 games, while the Penguins have won three of their last eight. Pittsburgh is coming off a brutal slate of consecutive games against playoff contenders.

The Penguins have better productivity on both sides of the ice and have been playing well despite the losses. Pittsburgh is ranked 22nd in the league in goals per game (3.0) and seventh in goals allowed per game (2.67). Arizona is ranked 22nd in goals per game (2.95), while also ranking 13th in goals allowed per game (2.96).

The Penguins’ defense has played well within the last few games against average or below-average offenses. Their defense alone should give a clear indication of the outcome tonight.