Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, January 2

New year means a new set of games in the NHL to watch and place bets on. There are two games where the better teams come into the game as close favorites against inefficient struggling teams. These oddsmakers are giving great opportunities for fans of the NHL and casual bettors to potentially earn some great winnings tonight through DraftKings.

Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks

• Time: 10:00 PM E.T. - Tuesday

• Moneyline: Senators (+124) | Canucks (-148)

• Puck Line: Senators +1.5 (-185) | Canucks -1.5 (+154) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (-130) | Under 6.5 (+110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Skate into NHL action with DraftKings – Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets!

My Pick: Vancouver Canucks (VAN)

This Tuesday night will be the meeting of two Canadian teams heading off in opposite directions. The Vancouver Canucks (23-10-3) are on a solid path towards a long run towards the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Ottawa Senators (14-18) are still attempting to recover their season after firing their coaching staff.

This game will be the second matchup of the season between the Canucks and the Senators. Vancouver previously took down Ottawa with a 5-2 score on November 9 in an early stretch of the season. The Canucks had huge input from center Elias Pettersson, forward Ilya Mikheyev and center J.T. Miller. Pettersson accounted for one goal and two assists, Mikheyev accounted for two goals and Miller accounted for one goal and one assist.

The Canucks possess the top-ranked scoring offense (3.78 goals per game) and the fourth-ranked scoring defense (2.56 goals allowed per game). The Senators are coming around on the offensive side of the ice thanks to the stellar play of center Tim Stutzle. Ottawa is ranked ninth in the league in goals per game (3.44) while their defense still holds the team back as they allow an average of 3.5 goals per game (28th in the league).

Vancouver comes into this game as a close favorite, surprisingly against an Ottawa team that has yet to find their mark after firing up their coaching staff. This game should be a great opportunity for NHL fans and casual bettors to earn significant winnings. 

Detroit Red Wings vs. San Jose Sharks

• Time: 10:30 PM E.T. - Tuesday

• Moneyline: Red Wings (-185) | Sharks (+154)

• Puck Line: Red Wings -1.5 (+130) | Sharks +1.5 (-155) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (-130) | Under 6.5 (+110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet $5, snag $150 in bonus bets with DraftKings. Win or lose, you're a winner!

My Pick: Detroit Red Wings (DET)

The final and potentially one of the night's best bets is the expected close matchup between the Detroit Red Wings (17-16-4) going on the road to take on the San Jose Sharks (9-25-3). The Sharks are currently on an eight-game losing streak. Detroit has only won one game in the last four matchups.

This will be the season's second matchup between the Red Wings and the Sharks. The last time these two teams have met was on December 9 when the Sharks shocked the Red Wings in Detroit 6-5 in overtime. Sharks center Mikael Granlund accounted for one goal and two assists, while their other key center in Tomas Hertl accounted for two goals.

Much like in the previous matchup less than a month ago, there isn’t expected to be any reliable defensive play. Detroit ranks 27^th in the league in goals allowed per game (3.46), while the Sharks remain easily the worst allowing an average of 4.05 goals per game.

On the other side of the ice, the Red Wings possess the fifth-ranked scoring offense by scoring an average of 3.54 goals per game. Detroit is seeing excellent impact from forward Alex DeBrincat and center Dylan Larkin.

The Sharks, however, possess the least efficient scoring offense in the league, averaging 2.03 goals per game. Hertl and Granlund are the only players for the Sharks who have accumulated more than 20 points this season.

The Red Wings are coming into this game with some doubt as they are close favorites against the Sharks, the worst team in the league. Detroit should be coming into this game as a big favorite, which could be a great opportunity for fans to earn more winnings.

For more betting opportunities check out our best NHL betting bonuses and promo codes.