After a slow Monday night with just one game, the NHL betting board has a whopping 13 games tonight with the puck dropping for the first five matchups at 8 p.m. ET.
So get ready to watch some hockey as we break down the NHL odds and bring you our three best free NHL picks and predictions for Tuesday, January 26.
NHL Picks for Today
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins
The Bruins began this season looking like they forgot how to score, but their offense sparked to life in their two-game set against the Flyers. They scored four goals in the third period against Philly last Thursday to send that game into overtime, where they won via shootout. Then continued that offensive success by slotting six goals on Saturday.
Now, the Bruins get a real treat as they match up against a Penguins team allowing a whopping 3.83 goals per game, and likely starting Tristan Jarry, who has a brutal 4.28 GAA with a save percentage of .849.
Not only has the Penguins' goaltending been bad, but the left side of their blue line has been decimated by injuries which has resulted in some very sloppy play in the back.
That said, the Pens have been able to find the back of the net, scoring at least three goals in five of their six games this season. They're averaging 3.17 goals per game this season, almost identical to their 3.2 goals per game last season. Look for this game to go Over the current total of 5.5.
PREDICTION: Over 5.5 (-120)
Edmonton Oilers vs Winnipeg Jets
We took Winnipeg's team total Over 3 against Edmonton on Sunday, and while that bet pushed, it wasn't from lack of trying, as the Jets peppered Mikko Koskinen with 38 shots in a 4-3 loss. It was an outstanding performance from an average goaltender in Koskinen who has a 3.18 GAA in seven starts this season.
Edmonton's defense was seen as one of their biggest flaws before the year began, and a season-ending injury to Oscar Klefbom has exacerbated that problem. The Oilers are allowing the fourth-most shots in the league while they rank 24th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes.
While the Jets defense has also been a sieve, they have one of the best goalies in the league to make up for that. Last year's Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck returns to nets after being given the night off on Sunday. And although the Oilers have two of the best forwards in the world in Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, they have little depth around them, while the Jets are averaging 3.67 goals per game.
With the Jets having the edge when it comes to scoring and goaltending, we're expecting a bounce-back game from Winnipeg and taking them on the moneyline.
PREDICTION: Winnipeg (-105)
Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars certainly took their sweet time showing up to the NHL dance this year, but like any fashionably-late cool kid, wasted no time scoring. The Stars played their first game of the season on Friday and hammered the Predators 7-0 before beating them again on Sunday by a score of 3-2.
Dallas might be the most underrated Stanley Cup runner-up ever and has solid depth and experience, an excellent defensive corps, and a standout goalie in Anton Khudobin. Khudobin has turned aside 49 of 51 shots this year and is coming off a regular season where he went 16-8-4 with a 2.22 GAA and a .930 save percentage.
After having the worst point percentage in the league last season and finishing with the fewest goals scored and most goals allowed, the Red Wings once again look like the worst squad in the NHL.
Detroit is coming off back-to-back crushing losses against a mediocre Blackhawks team where they were outscored 10-3.
It's also worth noting that in the last seven games in the head-to-head, Dallas won by multiple goals five times. Don't overthink this one and back the Stars on the puck line
PREDICTION: Puck Line Dallas -1.5 (+125)
Top NHL Consensus for Today
Want to know who today's biggest NHL betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NHL consensus picks.
Sunday's picks: 1-1-1 (-0.09 units)
Season record to date: 11-22-2 (-9.99 units)
NHL Betting Card for January 26
- Pittsburgh/Boston Over 5.5 (-120)
- Winnipeg (-105)
- Puck Line Dallas -1.5 (+125)
NHL Parlays
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NHL betting picks, you could win $70.54 on a $10 bet?
Use our NHL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where Can I Bet on the NHL?
You can bet on NHL odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NHL moneylines, puck lines, Over/Under totals, and a ton of NHL prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on NHL odds in your area.
