NHL Betting Guide: Wednesday 1/4/23
Even laying the juice with Edmonton, an 0-3 start is not what we needed to open 2023. Of course, there's a long way to go to get it back.
There are only three games Wednesday, and only one is popping with a multi-star projection.
Where? I'll show you.
Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All ratings are out of five stars. All NHL betting odds and totals come from FanDuel Sportsbook.
New Jersey Devils at Detroit Red Wings
Under 6.5 (-110) - 2 Stars
The Devils' prolific offense seems to be the only path to failure on this elevated total.
Both New Jersey and Detroit are in the bottom 12 of expected goals allowed (xGA) per 60 minutes this season in the NHL. While the Red Wings' mediocre offense is 23rd in expected goals scored (2.94 xGF), New Jersey is the concern, ranking the best in the league in that category.
It's almost like the Devils are a -172 favorite for a reason. However, Detroit will always have a shot with Ville Husso in net. He's posted the 19th-best goals saved above expectation this year (5.28 GSAx). After a sluggish start, the opposing Vitek Vanecek has a respectable mark not too far behind (2.90).
These two squads are also prone to unders. The under has hit in 58.3% of the Devils' games, and that mark is 54.3% in Detroit's decided totals thus far.
Overall, our model sees the under as 58.1% likely to hit against these standard 52.5% implied odds. It makes me feel even better that the majority of bets and money are leaning the other way at present.
