NHL Picks

The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Nashville Predators Monday afternoon. The Red Wings are currently ranked 7^th in the Eastern Conference. They are 1-1 since the Olympic break but they faced off against the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes. Those 2 teams lead the league in fewest shots against them. This means that we should see more shots out of the Red Wings today against the Predators. The Red Wings also rank 7^th this season in power play goals with 43 total goals. This should come in handy against the Predators who rank 12 for most power play opportunities against them.

For the Predators, they are also 1-1 since the Olympic break with a win over the Chicago Blackhawks and a loss to the Dallas Stars. On the season, the Predators rank 6^th in goals allowed with 3.44 goals per game. The Predators also give up 29.2 shots per game with a 14^th ranked penalty kill. I suspect we will see the Red Wings find plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net. I think we are getting increased value because of the tough defenses they have faced, but that will not be the case today. I am rolling with the Red Wings on the money line.

Red Wings vs. Predators Prediction: Red Wings ML (-110) available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to avoid a 3-game losing streak when they visit the New York Rangers on Monday night. Columbus has been on fire since Rick Bowness took over for Dean Evason behind the bench, but they’ve struggled out of the gate following the Olympic break with back-to-back losses to the Bruins and Islanders. However, the good news is that the offense is still in a groove, as they’ve scored 5 goals over the last 2 games and out-shot Boston 40-22 and New York 30-26. Zach Werenski continues to produce at an elite level, as he enters this contest riding a career-best 9-game point streak. The Rangers have not been a solid defensive team this season, and a lot has been asked of Igor Shesterkin between the pipes. He was dynamite on Saturday against the Penguins, but the Blue Jackets should come out firing an give him all he can handle.

New York’s offensive struggles at home are well-documented, but going up against Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins could present plenty of opportunities. After Jet Greaves started for Columbus on Sunday night against the Islanders, Merzlikins is expected to be in net for this contest at Madison Square Garden. Merzlikins has essentially been regulated to Columbus’ back-up role, as he owns a 3.47 goals-against average to go along with a less-than-ideal .887 save percentage in 22 games this season. Make it a small play, but look to the over in this one.

Blue Jackets vs Rangers prediction: Over 6 (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

The Carolina Hurricanes kick off a four-game road trip through the Western Conference, first stopping at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle to face the Kraken at 10 p.m. ET. Carolina edged Seattle 3-2 as heavy favorites on Jan. 10 in Raleigh. The Kraken led 2-1 heading into the third period, but Jordan Martinook leveled the score midway through the third, and William Carrier notched the game-winning goal a few minutes later. Seattle was able to muster just 12 total shots against rookie Brandon Bussi, who ended up making 10 saves to outduel Joey Daccord, who had 33 saves.

We’re projected to see Bussi and Daccord in a rematch. Carolina heads into this road trip on quite the roll, sitting atop the Metropolitan Division. The Canes have won five straight games, including 5.0 goals per game in the first two games since the Olympic break. They’ve also picked up at least one point in 12 in a row, going 10-0-2 in the span since Jan. 16. They’re also 14-1-3 in the previous 18 outings, including the 3-2 victory against the Kraken in Raleigh. Seattle has won four in a row at home, but three of those victories have come against teams not currently inside the playoff picture. Back the Canes, if you’re looking for a same-game parlay, but, more importantly, go Under on the total.

Under 5.5 (+115) at time of publishing. Playable to -110.

The Dallas Stars enter Monday night’s matchup against the Vancouver Canucks without one of the best players in the league available. Mikko Rantanen is slated to be out at least 2 weeks with a lower body injury, and it goes without saying that his absence is a big one. Dallas is still plenty capable of putting up great offensive numbers without Rantenen in the mix, but other impact players are nursing injuries as well. Roope Hintz is a game-time decision, and Tyler Seguin is out for the season with a knee injury. Those absences hurt Dallas’ forward depth, and it will be interesting to see how the Stars adjust over the next few weeks. Dallas has been stout defensively since the Olympic break, as they’ve allowed just 3 total goals in 2 games in their return to action. They seem to have another favorable matchup going up against a Vancouver offensive attack that is among the worst in the NHL.

The Canucks have struggled to score goals on a consistent basis all season long. They rank 30th in the NHL scoring 2.51 goals per game, and their power play percentage of 17.9% ranks 24th. That number may even be a bit inflated, as the power play was in much better shape earlier this season when Quinn Hughes was quarterbacking the man advantage. The Canucks have scored just 3 total goals in 2 games after the Olympic break, and the Stars are one of the toughest defensive teams to play against. This has the makings of a low-scoring affair.

Stars vs Canucks prediction: Under 5.5 (+115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.