Welcome to the first big time Thursday of the 2024 NHL calendar year! With NFL TNF in the rearview its time to hop on the bandwagon of hockey and what better way than a 13 game slate to dip your toes in the water. In today's article you will find a Money Line wager, game total bet, team total wager and a player prop, PLUS the Dog of the Day returns once again! If you like the rationale then tail the picks, if you don't feel free to fade as sometimes the best bets are the ones not taken!

  • Season Record: 59-53-2
  • Bankroll: +2.71 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 4-5 (+0.95 Units)

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**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

NHL Best Bets for January 4th

Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars

Death, taxes and the Stars getting into goal bonanzas at home this season in the Big D. I'm not kidding when I tell you the trend is remarkable with 15 of 19 games going over this season the money is smart on that to repeat again. I am actually a bit surprised the number isn't 7 goals either as both of these teams can score in bunches with the Stars scoring 4.1 goals per game at home and the Avalanche averaging 3.6 goals per game overall. The goalies help the cause too as Scott Wedgewood has been average in relief of Jake Oettinger and Colorado has been a revolving door of goaltenders trying to find the right one. Love this play tonight and who doesn't want to root for goals galore, take the over. 

Pick: Avalanche & Stars Over 6 Goals (-120 on DraftKings)

 

Calgary Flames at Nashville Predators

Going back to the well tonight on fading the Flames as they are a bad team but get good odds for some reason on the books around NHL betting. This team has a -11 goal differential on the season and is 7-13 straight up on the road this season, why are they getting respect with the odds? Nashville on the other hand have been very good on home ice this season allowing just 2.4 goals per game over the past month in front of Smashville. They are also 12-9 straight up in Music City and have the better roster over Calgary as well as their goaltender Juuse Saros who was off a bit to start the season but he's locked in now. I expect this one to be lower scoring and a tight game but I think the Preds pull this one out tonight and take it on the Money Line

Pick: Nashville Predators Money Line (-120 on BetMGM)

 

Chicago Blackhawks at New York Rangers

This game is just begging to be bet on but the Money Line is past -400 on the Rangers and the total is hard to predict because will Chicago pull their weight? I will opt out of that question because I am not really sure but what I do know is that the Rangers are prime to score some goals tonight as they host a Chicago team that is allowing 5.7 goals per game on the road over the past 30 days! That's San Jose Sharks this past October bad and that has me on the Rangers team total. You can grab it at 4+ or 3.5 on varying books right now but I opt for the 4 or more as the odds are just a bit better around -150. Going to eat some juice but this game is going to be a blowout and I want to cash in on that!

Pick: New York Rangers Team Total 4+ Goals (-150 on PointsBet)

Player Prop- Cam Atkinson, Philadelphia Flyers

This slate is loaded with big prop spots but none bigger for the Flyers taking on the Blue Jackets who are allowing 38 shots per game on the road over the last month plus. Enter Atkinson who has been up and down this season when it comes to shots on goal but he has gone over his 2.5 shots total in 62% of games this season and I am betting he tops it again. Lifetime he also has gone over 2.5 shots in 5 of 6 meetings with the Blue Jackets so he knows them well and its a revenge game!

Pick: Cam Atkinson Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (-120 on DraftKings)

DOG OF THE DAY

Minnesota Wild Money Line vs Tampa Bay Lightning (+115 on Caesars)