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NHL Best Bets: Odds, predictions and picks for Sunday, January 8th
Scroll down for best bets and make sure to check out the news and notes section for other important betting information.
Best Bets
Winnipeg Jets -180
Notes:
I’m tracking all my plays on Betstamp: a third party bet tracking app. The bets reveal themselves after the games start. I keep my own personal records as well and they may differ slightly from Betstamp due to several factors, but for the most part, it should line up closely.
Wins: 51
Losses: 55
Units Won: -8.07 units
ROI: -17 percent
All game lines via DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM Sportsbook, but I will sometimes use the consensus odds from the VSiN NHL Odds page if it is a better price and widely available. All recommended bets will be accompanied by recommended stake size. All stats via Evolving Hockey and Natural Stat Trick.
Vancouver Canucks (+160) at Winnipeg Jets (-180)
Bet: Winnipeg Jets -180
Risk: 1.8 units
To Win: 1 unit
Vancouver was the sixth-best team on offense between Oct. 1st and Dec. 7th. It was all the team had going for them. However, over the last month, the Canucks have been on a nosedive, ranking 25th in goals (per 60). Vancouver also ranks as the sixth-worst team in goals against (per 60) over the last month.
Meanwhile, the Jets are back to full strength, with Nikolaj Ehlers, Blake Wheeler and Cole Perfetti all returning to the lineup in the last game (a 4-2 win over the Lightning). Not to mention the fact that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck continues to be lights out.
Hellebuyck has saved the team almost 22 goals above expected year-to-date and he’s saved about one goal per game above expected over his last five starts. The Canucks will get Thatcher Demko back between the pipes sooner than later, but Spencer Martin is expected to start in goal on Sunday.
Winnipeg started to dip toward the end of 2022 due to injuries, but they’ve won four in a row, including a 4-2 win over the Canucks on Dec. 29th and have allowed just seven goals during that stretch.
Vancouver hasn’t done well against teams like the Jets that are competent offensively and have great goaltending, and my model sees the home team as a -200 favorite, which makes the Jets a solid bet on the moneyline at -180 or better.
News and Notes