NHL Betting Previews For January 21, 2014

The Columbus Blue Jackets — yes, the Blue Jackets — are the hottest team in the NHL these days.
The Columbus Blue Jackets — yes, the Blue Jackets — are the hottest team in the NHL these days.

Ten games on the NHL hockey betting docket tonight, including the Senators, Maple Leafs, Canucks, Oilers and Jets in action. Here are betting previews, offshore betting odds and Proline betting odds for all the action (Proline odds are from Ontario):

Panthers at Sabres
Offshore betting odds: Sabres-118, O/U 5
Proline betting odds: V+ 2.50/V 1.80/T 6.00/H 1.70/H+ 2.40, O/U 5

The line on this game opened at pick ’em but early money quickly came in on the Sabres. Buffalo is showing a lot of fight under Ted Nolan, with each of its last six games being decided by one goal — four of them in shootouts. Second game in as many nights for the Panthers, who stunned the Penguins 5-1 last night and could let down against Sabres. Florida is 17-39 in its last 56 games on the road, but the Sabres are 15-36 in their last 51 overall. Plug your nose, no matter who you’re taking in this one.
Our pick: Regulation tie


Blues at Devils
Offshore betting odds: Blues -125, O/U 5
Proline betting odds: V+ 2.00/V 1.50/T 6.50/H 2.10/H+ 2.90, O/U 5

This line moved dramatically towards New Jersey after opening with St. Louis as -147 chalk. The Devils are rested, having not played since a 3-2 loss at Phoenix Jan. 18. St. Louis will be playing its third game in four nights. New Jersey is playing its first home game after a four-game road trip, not typically a good spot, but the Devils are 36-15-2 in their last 53 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Our pick: Devils

 

Islanders at Rangers
Offshore betting odds: Rangers -183, O/U 5.5
Proline betting odds: V+ 3.30/ V 2.50/T 6.50/H 1.35/H+ 1.70, O/U 5.5

The battle of New York actually features two hot teams for a change. The Islanders have won six of their last eight and eight of their last 11, while the Rangers are 6-1 in their last seven. Despite the Islanders’ improved play of late, the early money was behind the Rangers in this one, lifting the odds from an opener of -163. The Rangers have won eight of their last 10 home games against the Islanders. It’s also worth noting the over is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings in the series, and 6-2 in the last eight at MSG.
Our pick: Over

 

Hurricanes at Flyers
Offshore betting odds: Flyers -122, O/U 5.5
Proline betting odds: V+ 3.00/V 2.20/T 6.50/H 1.45/H+ 1.90, O/U 5.5

The Hurricanes have not enjoyed their recent trips to Philly, going a combined 5-17-2 in the last 24 meetings hosted by the Flyers. But that didn’t stop early money from coming on Carolina, as the Flyers dropped from an opening favourite of -157. Philadelphia is coming off a tough 4-3 loss to the Islanders yesterday, blowing a 3-1 third-period lead and falling in the shootout. Carolina has lost three of its last four after a five-game winning streak.
Our pick: Flyers

 

Senators at Capitals
Offshore betting odds:Capitals -122, O/U 5.5
Proline betting odds: V+ 2.90/V 2.10/T 6.50/H 1.50/H+ 2.00, O/U 5.5

Why are the Capitals laying any sort of chalk in this one, even at home? Washington has been awful of late, losing eight of its last 10 and being held to one goal in four of its last five. The Senators aren’t exactly tearing it up themselves, losing three of their last five, but they’ve owned the recent series, winning their last six against the Caps. Washington, however, has won 11 of its last 14 home games against Ottawa.
Our pick: Senators

 

Kings at Blue Jackets
Offshore betting odds: Kings -108, O/U 5
Proline betting odds: V+ 2.30/V 1.65/T 6.00/H 1.85/H+ 2.60, O/U 5

Quick, who is the hottest team in the NHL? Try the Blue Jackets, who are a sparkling 7-0-1 since the acquisition of Nathan Horton. Bettors are buying in, jumping on Columbus at the opener to bet the Kings down from -131 chalk. LA is struggling through a bit of a cold spell, losing seven of its last 11, though two of those losses came in shootouts. The Kings could also be a bit flat after a 3-2 loss in Boston yesterday.
Our pick: Blue Jackets

 

Wild at Stars
Offshore betting odds: Stars -127, O/U 5
Proline betting odds: V+ 2.60/V 1.85/T 6.00/H 1.65/H+ 2.30, O/U 5

Minnesota hates trips to the Lone Star State, where it has lost 20 of its last 23 visits. But Dallas is as beatable as ever these days, having lost nine of its last 10 including a visit to Nashville last night. The Stars are also 14-38 in their last 52 games playing on zero days rest.
Our pick: Wild

 

Maple Leafs at Avalanche
Offshore betting odds: Avalanche -178, O/U 5.5
Proline betting odds: V+ 2.90/V 2.10/T 6.50/H 1.50/H+ 2.00, O/U 5.5

Break up the Maple Leafs! After a prolonged slump that had fans calling for the head of Randy Carlyle, Toronto has rattled off five straight wins to regain some traction in the Eastern Conference standings. The Leafs are scoring goals once again, netting 20 markers in their last five games following a four-game losing skid. The Avs, however, are enjoying a resurgence of their own, posting wins in eight of their last 10. Colorado is also 25-9 in its last 34 against the East, and the Leafs are 4-12 in their last 16 road games.
Our pick: Over

 

Canucks at Oilers
Offshore betting odds: Canucks -126, O/U 5.5
Proline betting odds: V+ 2.20/V 1.60/T 6.00/H 1.90/H+ 2.70, O/U 5.5

Think that line brawl and 3-2 shootout win over the Flames Saturday cured all the Vancouver Canucks’ problems? Well, early bettors don’t, jumping all over the Oilers as the Canucks plummeted from an opening line of -152. Vancouver, which has lost eight of 10, will be in its first game without suspended coach John Tortorella, which could pose a distraction. The home team has won the last five meetings in the series, but let’s not forget the Oilers have lost eight of 10 themselves.
Our pick: Under

 

Jets at Ducks
Offshore betting odds: Ducks -215, O/U 5.5
Proline betting odds: V+ 4.50/V 3.25/T 7.00/H 1.20/H+ 1.40, O/U 5.5

Winnipeg looks for its fourth straight win under new coach Paul Maurice, but the Jets aren’t being given much of a chance of getting it. Winnipeg has outscored its opponents 13-5 since Maurice took over last week, outshooting its opponents 100-63. But that was against the Coyotes, Flames and Oilers. Let’s see what happens now against the Ducks, who still have yet to lose at home (20-0-2) this year and have won 37 of their last 51 overall. It’s not a great spot for Anaheim (coming off a two-game road trip in which it was outshot 71-42), but the last time the Ducks played a home game after a two-game trip, they spanked the Canucks 9-1.
Our pick: Ducks -1 on the puckline