NHL Betting Picks for Tuesday 1/2/24: Penguins, Capitals Clash in Rivalry Matchup

Following a single-game Winter Classic slate on New Year's Day, the NHL action is back in full swing tonight with 13 games to choose from.

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

Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins ML (-170)

Anytime that the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins go head-to-head, they have our attention.

This time is no different as the Metropolitan Division rivals collide in Pittsburgh. Right off the bat, one of these teams has been playing far better hockey this season, and it's why we're confidently taking the Penguins moneyline tonight.

The Penguins are still looking for results in the goal-scoring department, averaging just 2.97 Goals For per 60 minutes. However, that's still ahead of the struggles of the Capitals, who rank second to last in the NHL at a 2.24 clip.

The differences between these two teams are really heightened when looking at the opportunities they create. Pittsburgh has the fifth-best Corsi For per 60 minutes (65.34) while Washington, again, is at the bottom of the league (54.69).

Considering that the Penguins allow only 2.54 Goals Against per 60 minutes, there's confidence the already struggling Capitals can't muster up much offense against them. With Tristan Jarry expected to face Darcy Kuemper in net tonight, that's one final advantage for the Penguins to bring into this tilt

numberFire's model is all in on the Pittsbugh moneyline, giving them a 70.37% likelihood of grabbing the win -- better than the 63% implied probability.

Florida Panthers at Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes +1.5 (-182)

For much of the first half, the Arizona Coyotes have been seen as underdogs, but they've shown with their 19-14-2 record that they deserve respect.

They'll enter their game against the Florida Panthers trying to make up some ground and certainly have the ability to do so -- leading us to like the Coyotes covering +1.5 at home.

Florida is one of the best teams in hockey for good reason. The Panthers have the second-best Corsi Against per 60 minutes at 52.64, holding teams to just 2.54 Goals Against per 60 minutes. Arizona has been able to limit offenses, too, coming in with 2.8 Goals Against per 60 minutes.

Where the Coyotes do have an advantage over the Panthers is in actual scoring, averaging 3.05 Goals For per 60 minutes compared to Florida's 2.96.

These numbers are closer than what anyone would likely expect from the 'Yotes and Panthers. The difference will be between the pipes. Arizona will send out their top goaltender Connor Ingram to face off with Sergei Bobrovsky.

Ingram has been one of the best in the NHL this season, entering tonight with a 2.49 goals against average and .919 save percentage, both of which rank in the top 10. Add in his 13.41 goals saved above expectation (8th) to appreciate how great he's been and why the Coyotes should be able to keep up.

Bobrovsky has been solid once again this year. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has a 2.50 goals against average and .911 save percentage, making this game about goaltending in what should most likely be a low-scoring affair.

numberFire backs the pick of the Coyotes, giving them a 71.73% likelihood to cover.

Ottawa Senators at Vancouver Canucks

Canucks ML (-150)

If there's a chance to take the Vancouver Canucks in a plus matchup, we'll rarely be passing on the Pacific Division leaders.

The Canucks have been great on both ends of the ice through the first half of their campaign, so welcoming the Ottawa Senators shouldn't be much of a problem. Each team has been among the elite in scoring goals, with the Canucks leading the NHL due to an average of 3.75 Goals For per 60 minutes. The Senators rank 9th in the NHL at a 3.42 mark.

Defense and goaltending is where these two teams really begin to differ. Ottawa has been in the middle of the league when limiting their opponents, sporting a 60.8 Corsi Against per 60 minutes. Vancouver has simply been better, placing 10th with a 57.84 Corsi Against. They're also far better in Goals Against, limiting opponents to just 2.54 Goals, which is the fourth-best. Meanwhile, the Senators have been brutal in that category, entering the game 28th at 3.48 Goals Against. That's going to be the backbreaker tonight if we'd have to guess regarding this matchup.

As per usual, the Canucks will send out Thatcher Demko in this game, and the Senators will roll with Joonas Korpisalo. Demko enters tonight's slate as a co-favorite to win the Vezina Trophy (+350) and for good reason. The 28-year-old is 17-7-1 with a 2.46 goals against average and .917 save percentage. He also leads the circuit with 17.37 goals saved above expectation. Korpisalo can't say the same with his rough 3.66 goals against average, .890 save percentage, and brutal -8.24 goals saved above expectation.

These two teams are a ways away from each other in enough categories to leave us confident in the Canucks to grab the win at -150 odds. numberFire's model gives Vancouver a 70.86% likelihood of getting the victory.

Looking for more NHL betting opportunities? Check out all of the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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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.