You've probably seen the lines for tonight. On paper, it looks like a bloodbath. The Colorado Avalanche are sitting on a record-breaking season, literally tying the mark for the most regulation points (70) through 44 games. They're welcoming the Nashville Predators into Ball Arena tonight, and if you just glance at the standings, it feels like a foregone conclusion. But if you’ve been around the rink long enough, you know that hockey picks for today are never that simple.
The puck drops at 9:00 PM EST, and while Nathan MacKinnon is playing like a man possessed—leading the charge with 81 points—the value might actually be lurking in the shadows of the "Music City."
The Colorado Juggernaut vs. Nashville’s Gritty Reality
Honestly, Colorado is ridiculous. They are 33-4-8. That isn't a typo. They haven't just been winning; they’ve been dismantling teams. Scott Wedgewood is expected to get the nod in net, and while he’s been solid with 19 wins, he isn't Juuse Saros.
Saros is the kind of goalie who can ruin a bettor's night in a heartbeat. He’s seen over 1,300 shots this season. His save percentage is hovering around .913 for his career, but it’s his ability to steal games when Nashville’s offense goes cold that matters. The Predators are coming off a 4-3 win against Edmonton, which, let's be real, is a huge confidence booster.
The Preds aren't scoring much—25th in the league—but they are physical. If they can turn this into a muddy, grinding affair, that +200 or higher moneyline becomes a lot more attractive than laying heavy juice on an Avalanche team that is due for a "human" night.
Why San Jose vs. Detroit is Sneakier Than You Think
Over at Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Red Wings (28-16-4) are hosting the San Jose Sharks. Everyone talks about the Red Wings' resurgence, but can we talk about Macklin Celebrini for a second?
The kid has 70 points in 45 games as a rookie. He’s carrying the Sharks on his back. While Detroit has Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond firing on all cylinders, the Sharks have been a "spoiler" team lately.
- The Goalie Factor: John Gibson is likely for Detroit, while Yaroslav Askarov is holding it down for the Sharks.
- The "Over" Potential: This game feels like a track meet. Both teams have defensive lapses that lead to high-danger chances.
- Special Teams: Detroit’s power play is dangerous, but San Jose's rookie-led top unit is surprisingly efficient at drawing penalties.
Basically, if you're looking for a high-scoring affair, the Over 6.5 in Detroit is one of the more solid hockey picks for today. Don't be surprised if this one ends 5-4 in overtime.
Lightning vs. Blues: A Battle of Tired Legs?
The Tampa Bay Lightning are visiting St. Louis, and the odds have them as -185 favorites. Nikita Kucherov is doing Kucherov things (23 goals, 44 assists), but the Blues are desperate.
St. Louis is 18-21-8. They are fighting for their playoff lives. Robert Thomas is essentially the only thing keeping their offense afloat. When you look at the Lightning, you see a team that knows how to win, but they've been playing a heavy schedule. Andrei Vasilevskiy is a wall, but even walls get cracks.
The Blues are at home. They’re +160 underdogs. In a mid-January slog, taking a home dog with a chip on their shoulder is often the smarter play than betting on a "better" team that might be looking ahead to the weekend.
Injury Reports That Actually Matter Tonight
You can't make a smart pick without looking at the training table. It’s boring, but it’s the truth.
🔗 Read more: Flip Saunders Basketball Coach: Why the NBA Legacy Still Matters Today
In Carolina, the Hurricanes are facing the Florida Panthers. This is a heavyweight fight. However, the Canes might be without Shayne Gostisbehere, who missed practice because he "wasn't feeling great." On the flip side, Jaccob Slavin is back in a regular jersey, but the Hurricanes have a strict protocol about not playing him in both halves of back-to-backs. Since they start a set tonight, his usage is a question mark.
Florida is healthy-ish. Sam Reinhart has 24 goals. Sergei Bobrovsky is 19-12. If Gostisbehere and Slavin are limited, the Panthers' forecheck is going to eat the Hurricanes' secondary pairings alive.
Strategy for Tonight’s Slate
If you're building a parlay or just looking for a single edge, stop looking at the logo on the jersey and start looking at the situational spots.
- Fade the Public on Colorado: Yes, they are the better team. But the price is astronomical. Nashville is a "pro" underdog—meaning they play a system that keeps games close even when they're outmatched in skill.
- Target the Pacific Rivalry: The Ducks and Kings are meeting at Crypto.com Arena at 10:30 PM. These games are always nastier than the standings suggest. Alex Laferriere has been a value machine for anytime goalscorer bets (+290).
- Watch the Totals in Raleigh: If the Hurricanes' defense is shuffled, that Florida/Carolina game is going Over the 5.5 total easily.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of tonight's games, check the starting goaltender confirmations about 30 minutes before puck drop. A late switch from a starter to a backup can swing a line by 20 points instantly. Focus on the Panthers-Hurricanes line movement; if it shifts toward Florida late, it's a sign the "Canes" defense is as banged up as rumored. For those playing player props, Macklin Celebrini over 3.5 shots on goal is a consistent winner given his 21-minute-per-game usage.