Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, January 31

Tonight is the final day of the first half of the 2023-2024 NHL Season before the 2024 NHL All-Star games set in. There will be three games that will have great value in the sports betting industry that will give NHL fans and sports bettors a great chance to win big time if their bet is correct. These games will be fun to watch, but the opportunity to win some earnings through DraftKings will be even better.

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

Ottawa Senators vs. Detroit Red Wings

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Wednesday

• Moneyline: Senators (+102) | Red Wings (-122)

• Puck Line: Senators +1.5 (-218) | Red Wings -1.5 (+180) 

• Total: Over 7 (+105) | Under 7 (-125)

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

My Pick: Over 7 Points Scored

The first game of the night in the NHL is also set to be potentially the highest-scoring game of the night as the Ottawa Senators (19-25-2) go on the road to take on the Detroit Red Wings (26-18-5). It is also likely to be one of the highest-scoring games in the new year.

This matchup tonight between these two Atlantic Divisional rivals will face each other for the fourth and final time this season. Ottawa, who has experienced a coaching change during the season, has defeated Detroit in two of the last three matchups.

There is a convincing argument that the Red Wings will win big at home or the Senators could create another. The best bet to get into for tonight’s big matchup is the over/under of this potentially high-scoring game set at seven goals.

Both the Red Wings and the Senators have been two of the most explosive offenses since the start of the season. Detroit is ranked fifth in the league in goals per game (3.51), while Ottawa is ranked 11th in goals per game (3.35). Both the Red Wings and the Senators possess high-volume offensive playmakers who have helped create some of the most consistent offenses in the league.

Another key aspect of this game tonight is the need for more efficiency from both teams. The Red Wings have been worse earlier in the season, but are currently ranked 22nd in the league in goals allowed per game (3.22). The Senators possess one of the worst defenses in the league as their bad play on defense has ruined their season up to this point. Ottawa is ranked 30th in goals allowed per game (3.65).

One final aspect of this game is the matchup between these two teams have all been six or more points this season. One matchup featured both teams scoring a total of nine points. This game has the potential to score more than seven points.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Nashville Predators

• Time: 7:30 PM E.T. - Tuesday

• Moneyline: Kings (-118) | Predators (-102)

• Puck Line: Kings -1.5 (+205) | Predators +1.5 (-250) 

• Total: Over 6 (-108) | Under 6 (-112)

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

My Pick: Los Angeles Kings (LA)

The top game of the night is set for a nationally televised game as the Los Angeles Kings (22-15-10) go on the road to take on the Nashville Predators (26-22-2). This game will be a rematch of the 2-1 Predators road win less than two weeks ago. Nashville goalie Juuse Saros allowed only one goal out of 34 total shot attempts.

The Predators caught a Kings’ offense that has been in decline since near the start of the New Year. In the first 31 games of the season, the Kings have averaged 3.6 goals per game. In the last 16 games this season, however, the Kings have averaged 2.25 goals per game. Los Angeles has been outscored by 20 goals during this span.

Los Angeles has averaged only two goals per game in the last seven games and has scored more than one goal against teams with bad defenses. The Predators possess a defense that is in the middle of the league in efficiency as they have allowed an average of 3.12 (18^th in the league).

One matchup on the ice that gives the Kings the edge is their defense. The Kings possess an elite defense that is ranked fifth in the league in goals allowed per game (2.66). They will be up for the task against a Predators offense that is in the middle of the league but has played up to the level of their opponents in key games.

The Kings are a borderline elite team, who are in a serious decline of productivity offensively. They are currently still projected to get into the playoffs but as a wild card team. If the Kings want to control their own destiny, they will need to win games like this tonight.

San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks

• Time: 10:30 PM E.T. - Wednesday

• Moneyline: Sharks (+150) | Ducks (-180)

• Puck Line: Sharks +1.5 (-155) | Ducks -1.5 (+130) 

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

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My Pick: Anaheim Ducks (ANA)

The final regular game of the week will be the Pacific Divisional battle between the San Jose Sharks (14-32-4) going on the road to take on the Anaheim Ducks (17-30-2). This is a game that shouldn’t attract much attention from fans of the NHL outside of Ducks and Sharks fans.

There will be a solid betting opportunity tonight as this game between two of the worst teams in the Western Conference possesses great value. The Ducks are coming into this game as significant favorites over the Sharks despite San Jose gaining some unusual momentum.

For most of the season, the Sharks have given teams an automatic due to their incredibly poor play on the offensive and defensive side of the ice. In these last few games, however, San Jose has found ways to win games. The Sharks have won four of the last five games, including the 5-3 home win over Anaheim on January 20 that started the run.

San Jose is going into the second game of a back-to-back after shocking the Seattle Kraken at home with a 2-0 score. The Sharks won both games of their previous back-to-back at the Los Angeles Kings and against the New York Rangers on January 22 and 23.

This sets up for the Sharks to possess the momentum, but the Sharks have rarely had success this season. The Kings and Rangers have slipped in their games before the NHL All-Star Break.

Anaheim has a more trusting offense and defense over the Sharks even if it isn’t by much. They are also coming off a good set of momentum by winning two of the last three games. Most of all, the Ducks are going to be coming off a four-day rest and will want revenge over their divisional rival.