NHL Betting Picks for Tuesday 1/16/24: Kings, Stars Face in Conference Clash

An eight-game slate on Tuesday has plenty of options worth considering as some of the NHL's top teams collide.

Whether it's moneylines or total goals, there are plenty of ways to bet on the NHL action all season. It's a long 82-game campaign, meaning that the best selections of each night can be very different based on backup goalies coming into play, injuries that add up, and if teams are due for positive or negative swings.

Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All NHL betting odds and totals are from the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All advanced statistics are used from MoneyPuck.com and NaturalStatTrick.com.

NHL Best Bets

Los Angeles Kings at Dallas Stars

Kings +1.5 (-210)

In one of the premier matchups of tonight's slate, the Los Angeles Kings will head south to take on the Dallas Stars.

The Kings are the team we're targeting in this tilt. They're underdogs to the Stars at home, se're taking Kings +1.5 (-210) with some confidence. Los Angeles has done everything right this season.

Offensively, the Kings rank in the top three with a 66.68 Corsi For per 60 minutes. Their goals per 60 minutes isn't at high, ranking 11th at 3.28, but nonetheless, they can still put the puck in the net on their many offensive chances. On the defensive end, they're as good as anyone. Los Angeles ranks fifth in the NHL with a 55.09 Corsi Against per 60 minutes. They take it another step further in limiting pucks in their own net, coming in with the second-best goals against per 60 minutes (2.46). They should do well against a Stars offense that has averaged 3.59 goals per 60 minutes (third-best).

Not that the Kings have a huge advantage, but Jake Oettinger is back and still figuring things out since returning. He's allowed five goals in his first two games back from injury with just one coming against the weak Chicago Blackhawks.

Los Angeles is expected to start Cam Talbot, who has been one of the league's best stories throughout the 2023-24 campaign. Notably, he has struggled in recent outings (five goals allowed in his last game), but he's still sporting 2.34 goals against average and .918 save percentage. That should be enough to keep the Kings in it.

Colorado Avalanche at Ottawa Senators

Over 6.5 (-140)

With how these two offenses has played this season, taking the over between the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators feels like a must.

Each team ranks in the top 10 within the NHL for goals per 60 minutes with the Avs ranking 2nd (3.62) and the Senators ranking 9th (3.30). These two offensively gifted units shouldn't have a tough time getting the puck in the net against one another considering they're both allowing over 3.00 goals per 60 minutes, too.

To be exact, the Senators are the second-worst team in the NHL at stopping goals from going in their own net, allowing 3.67 goals per 60. The Avalanche don't struggle nearly as much in that regard, ranking 16th in hockey (3.06) -- but it's enough for us to like the over.

Both goaltenders tonight are expected to be backups. The Avalanche are sending out Justus Annunen while the Senators are likely to start Mads Sogaard. Annunen has not been impressive in his first two starts this season; he's coming off a game where he allowed six goals. Sogaard will get his first go in the NHL this year and based on his past, it's surely nothing to write home about. In 21 NHL games, he has a 3.30 goals against average and .889 save percentage.

We're taking over 6.5 Goals with confidence tonight between these two offensively gifted teams.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Edmonton Oilers

Over 6.5 (-158)

Speaking of offensively gifted teams, it's hard to not be excited about a matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers.

The Maple Leafs have lived up to their offense's expectations. They're currently sixth with both a 64.6 Corsi per 60 minutes and 3.44 goals per 60 minutes. Edmonton has completely shaken off that early season rut that they dealt with, returning to form in every way.

The Oilers are just a step above the Maple Leafs in both Corsi For per 60 minutes (65.61) and goals per 60 (3.46), ranking fifth in the NHL within both categories.

Each of these teams are ranked in the middle of the NHL in terms of goals against; the Oilers are 13th (2.97) while the Maple Leafs sit 19th (3.17). These numbers aren't enough to fear when it comes to these two teams on offense and and the goaltenders can still be a bit inconsistent despite recent turnarounds.

Martin Jones and Stuart Skinner will both between the pipes tonight. Jones been a much needed find for Toronto, but he's allowed eight goals in his last two starts. That's what we like to see. Skinner has allowed seven goals in his past six games but has just a .903 save percentage on the year. The Maple Leafs' prolific attack should be able to score even with that recent success.

These two teams possess the scoring skills to make this a shootout. It's hard not to like the odds of that happening.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.