NHL Betting Guide: Tuesday 1/18/22
We've got a nice eight-game slate on Tuesday, so let's see where we can find some value when we bet.
Please note that lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. Please check here to make sure you're seeing the most updated information.
Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators
Canucks (+112): 1-Star Rating Out of 5
Canucks +1.5 (-250): 2-Star Rating Out of 5
The Vancouver Canucks are finishing up a brutal road trip that has seen them face some of the league's best teams. They lost their first three games of the trip before an impressive win against the Washington Capitals. Tonight's game won't be easy, but there are reasons for optimism.
Vancouver's season changed when Bruce Boudreau took over as coach; they have gone 9-3-1 in his 13 games behind the bench. They've been shoring up the defensive side of their game, ranking second in goals against per game in that span. They are also in the top 10 in shots against per 60 minutes in that time frame.
The Canucks will face the Nashville Predators tonight. Nashville is coming off a loss last night and will be missing some key players. The Predators are one of the teams that withhold starting goalie information until the last possible moment, but it seems likely that David Rittich will start instead of Juuse Saros. Saros has been playing great of late, helping the Predators win despite trailing in shots for 8 of their last 10 games. Rittich, on the other hand, has allowed 2.65 goals over expected in just six games this season.
Nashville will also be without Mattias Ekholm and Dante Fabbro on defense, leaving them with Roman Josi and some guys who are borderline NHL players. If Elias Pettersson has found his 2019-20 form like he showed last game, Vancouver can exploit this defense. Our model likes Vancouver +116, so this makes sense as a bet tonight.
New York Islanders vs Philadelphia Flyers
Islanders (-134): 1-Star Rating Out of 5
Islanders -1.5 (+210): 1-Star Rating Out of 5
This has been a disappointing season for the New York Islanders. Many people finally came around to them being serious contenders this season after consecutive runs to the semifinals, and they've let those people down. Things have turned around of late though, and they have a good chance of continuing tonight.
The Islanders are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, having had a lot of players return to the lineup. They've been the solid defensive team we expected in that stretch, allowing exactly two goals per game. They get to match up against a familiar division foe tonight which we know they can beat.
The Islanders will play the Philadelphia Flyers on the road 24 hours after playing them at home. The Islanders played very well in that game, creating 3.75 expected goals while allowing just 2.26. It feels like another lost season for the Flyers, who have lost three in a row (and 8 of their last 10).
The Flyers will still be without Sean Couturier, who is probably their best player. He impacts both sides of the puck, and his absence will make it hard to slow down Mathew Barzal and the Isles' first line. We just saw the Islanders beat the Flyers 4-1 in a game they definitely deserved to win, so betting on their momentum to win -- or even cover the puck line -- makes sense.
