Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, January 26

This Friday night should bring some of the best matchups of the week as some could be conference championship previews or Stanley Cup Finals previews. 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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Florida Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Thursday

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

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

• Total: Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-126)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Follow our link and score $200 in Bonus Bets at DraftKings.

My Pick: Florida Panthers (FLA)

One of the first games of the night is set as the Florida Panthers (29-14-4) go on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (21-17-6) in an Eastern Conference. This is a game that could potentially be a defensive battle from start to finish.

The last time these two teams met on the ice, the Panthers defeated the Penguins 3-1 at home on December 6. The Panthers showed why they possess the more efficient as they held the Penguins to only 26 shots with Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky saving all, but one. Center Anton Lundell accounted for two assists against the Penguins.

Both the Panthers and the Penguins are coming into this game with two of the most efficient defenses in the league. Florida is coming in this matchup with the top defenses in the league as they rank fourth in goals allowed per game (2.6). They have been among the most consistent defenses in the league since the start of the season.

The Penguins are ranked seventh in the league in goals allowed per game (2.73), thanks to a stellar combination of great goalie play, solid defenders, and reliable defensive coaching schemes. Pittsburgh, however, has been up and down in terms of offensive efficiency despite having numerous stars on the team. They have never been able to get over the hump when it comes to scoring consistently. With a championship-caliber roster, that is a huge problem to overcome, especially against a good defense like the Panthers.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Thursday

• Moneyline: Kings (+120) | Avalanche (-148)

• Puck Line:  Kings +1.5 (-218) | Avalanche -1.5 (+180) 

• Total: Over 6 (-130) | Under 6 (+110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet $5, snag $200 in bonus bets with DraftKings.

My Pick: Colorado Avalanche (COL)

The second matchup to be featured is one of the biggest Western Conference games of the week as the Los Angeles Kings (22-14-9) go on the road to take on the Colorado Avalanche (31-14-3). This game tonight would be the third meeting this season between the Kings and the Avalanche.

The Avalanche defeated the Kings to open the 2023-2024 NHL season with a 5-2 score. They met again on December 3rd as the Kings offense and defense took over in their home stadium to defeat the Avalanche with a 4-1 score.

Since then, Colorado has turned into the most electrifying offense in the NHL thanks to the stellar play of their three big stars. The Avalanche rank first in the league in goals per game as they averaged 3.81 goals per game. Among the top players for the Avalanche and the entire is center Nathan McKinnon, who is accounting for 82 points, with 30 being goals and 52 being assists.

Colorado will take on a Los Angeles Kings defense that ranks third in the league in goals allowed (2.58). Even in the Kings' rough start to the new year, their defense has been playing at any good level. Los Angeles has only allowed five points scored in the game within the last 14 games played. Los Angeles has lost 12 of the last 14 games. During these 14 games, the Kings have only scored 32 goals.

Colorado's defense, while on a slight slump, should have no problem withholding a Kings’ talented but struggling offense.