Free NHL Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (1/19/23)

It's Friday and the NHL presents us with a four-game slate this evening. Let's comb through the action and grab some value while padding those bankrolls heading into the weekend!

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In this article, I'll provide my favorite betting picks for the NHL games on Friday, January 19, 2024. We will focus on money line bets, totals, and team totals. With all of that said, let's break down some hockey games. Follow me on Twitter/X @BKemp17.

Today's NHL Betting Picks - New Jersey Devils vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

O/U: 6.5 | Moneyline: NJ (-162)

It's a Metropolitan Division clash at Nationwide Arena tonight in Columbus as the Blue Jackets play host to the visiting New Jersey Devils.

The home side enters this one having snapped a three-game losing streak with a major upset over the Vancouver Canucks in a shootout on Monday. It's just their third win in their last 11 contests as the numbers are poor across the board.

On the surface, they rank 20th in overall offense and 30th in overall defense. Underneath the surface, they rank 23rd in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and five-on-five and 28th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5v5. This is a team that has scored a little bit above its head this season while the defensive numbers add up as one of the worst defensive clubs in hockey.

The Devils have been fighting the injury bug all season as the sexy pre-season Stanley Cup pick is in a battle for a postseason spot. At just 22-17-3, the Devils are four points back of the Lightning for the final Wild Card spot in the east but the Islanders, Penguins, and Capitals all sit in between New Jersey and Tampa Bay.

The numbers are there, however. The offense has been dangerous as they sit seventh in overall offense and sixth in xGF/60 at 5v5. While they sit 28th in overall defense, they also rank 11th in xGA/60 at 5v5. A 23rd-ranked penalty kill and 31st-ranked 5v5 save percentage have wasted their solid defensive work at even strength.

Despite their impressive offensive numbers, the Devils are without No. 1 center Jack Hughes and talented offensive blueliner Dougie Hamilton (for the rest of the season). It's been a season-long struggle for Timo Meier while Tyler Toffoli has regressed from a career year a season ago.

Another angle to this one is the second consecutive start for the disgruntled Elvis Merzlikins who helped the club topple the heavily-favored Canucks in his first start in more than two weeks on Monday. Following a trade request, the Latvian netminder is playing with a chip on his shoulder.

The Devils are an impressive 13-7-1 on the road this season, far superior to their 9-10-2 record at home. However, the Jackets are coming off of a big win while the Devils have dropped two in a row. It's tough to trust this Devils team right now, especially at -162.

Let's see if the Jackets can pull off the upset over an uneven opponent tonight.

Pick: Blue Jackets moneyline (+136, DraftKings sportsbook)

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Today's NHL Betting Picks - New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks

O/U: 6 | Moneyline: NYI (-250)

The New York Islanders will travel to the Windy City tonight for a clash with the host Chicago Blackhawks, a team struggling like no other at the moment.

The loss of Connor Bedard for six to eight weeks has been rough on this team. The young phenom has been asked to do a lot offensively for this team but without him, the Blackhawks have scored one regulation goal or fewer in five straight games and in eight of their last 10. They have averaged 1.2 regulation goals per game during that time. Add it up and they sit 31st in overall offense and dead last in xGF/60 at 5v5.

For good measure, they also sit 29th in overall defense and 31st in xGA/60 at 5v5. They rank 31st on the power play and 27th on the penalty kill. It just keeps getting uglier in Chicago.

In all fairness, it's been ugly for the Isles of late, as well. They have dropped five of their last six and their lone win in that time was a come-from-behind 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs in which they trailed 3-1 in the third period. They have been outscored 12-3 in three games since that victory.

As a result, they're fifth in the Metro at 19-15-10 and sixth in points percentage within the division. Interestingly, while they sit 23rd in overall offense, they're actually ninth in xGF/60 at 5v5. They also sit ninth on the power play. Their 2.37 GF/60 at 5v5 sits well below their 2.68 xGF/60 at 5v5. They should score more moving forward, at least at even strength.

As they sit 23rd in offense, they also sit 23rd in overall defense. Additionally, they rank 27th in xGA/60 at 5v5 and 29th on the penalty kill. It's been an uncharacteristically poor season for netminder Ilya Sorokin who sports a 3.18 goals-against average and .910 save percentage in 32 appearances. It's unclear who will start in goal for either team tonight but Sorokin hasn't been himself for much of the season.

Regardless of how bad it's been for the Islanders, the Blackhawks are struggling so badly on offense. Furthermore, they're in a back-to-back situation tonight after dropping a 3-0 decision last night in Buffalo. It should be a struggle again tonight.

Add it up and there's no excuse for the Islanders not to pounce in this one. They haven't played since Tuesday. A win by at least a pair should be in the cards tonight.

Pick: Islanders puck line -1.5 (+105, DraftKings sportsbook)

Good luck, RotoBallers! Let's cash some bets and make some money today!

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