With tonight's jumbo NHL slate that features 12 games, I decided to take a look at the board and see who has the best chance to light the lamp tonight.
And after doing further research, I've determined that there are three games that my bat-signal is picking up for an anytime goal scorer. Those three games feature the Vancouver Canucks vs Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks vs Carolina Hurricanes, and Ottawa Senators vs Colorado Avalanche.
Let's dive into my NHL anytime goal scorer picks and predictions for Thursday, January 8.
NHL Anytime Goal Scorer Picks, January 8
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
  | 9:00 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Canucks vs. Red Wings
The Vancouver Canucks are a bit of a mess these days, but it’s something we’re used to.
They’ve suffered six losses in their last seven games, and from the looks of it, it doesn’t look like it’ll get much easier.
Vancouver heads to the Motor City, where it takes on the Detroit Red Wings, who are fresh off a 5-3 win against the Senators.
For this battle, I’m zeroing in on Jake DeBrusk, who may be starting to turn the corner. I say that because, in this stretch, he actually holds the worst goals above expected stat in all of the league with a minimum of 50 minutes played.
However, DeBrusk has played to a fourth-best 6.6 expected goals and a second-best expected goals per 60 minutes.
Not only that, he’s been actively getting involved in the right places. He’s tied for fourth in high danger shot attempts, as well as fourth in high danger expected goals.
What does all of this mean?
That’s telling me that DeBrusk has put himself in the right position at the right times; he just wasn’t getting a whole lot of luck. The difference is that luck is starting to turn around, as he has two goals in his past three games.
One more thing on this. Detroit has let up the eighth-most shots on goal in this 10-game stretch. So even though John Gibson has been a beauty thus far, the Wings continue to put him in a position to fight for his life.
And it’s even better if Cam Talbot starts tonight, who is notorious for letting up high-danger goals.
Pick: Jake DeBrusk Anytime Goal Scorer (+250)
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Ducks vs. Hurricanes
With a name like Cutter, the only logical option is to put money on him.
In all seriousness, Cutter Gauthier is definitely on the rise as one of the NHL’s most lethal scoring options. Which makes it mind-blowing that he isn’t on Team USA, but that’s another discussion for a different day.
Currently, he leads the Ducks in goals with 20, already tying his career high 43 games into the season.
Though the statsheet has been rather quiet for Gauthier since the holiday break. He broke that silence on Tuesday, when he scored against his former team in the Flyers. However, in his past 10 games, he’s only lit the lamp twice, so I think there’s a lot of reason to back a breakout once again.
In this 10-game stretch, he’s ranked third in the NHL in shot attempts per game with 8.4; however, only 3.9 of those attempts are actually hitting the goal.
He hasn’t been getting himself into the dirty areas, more so relying on his laser shot, which has probably hurt his chances of scoring, but the number of times he fires it, there’s reason to believe that he’s going to get his.
The Ducks play the Hurricanes tonight, and their goaltending situation is in total shambles. They’ve let up 3.5 goals per game and it’s hard to trust either Brandon Bussi or Freddie Andersen at this stage.
At +240, I like Gauthier.
Pick: Cutter Gauthier Anytime Goal Scorer (+240)
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Senators vs. Avalanche
Apart from being named an Olympian this season, Brock Nelson has been on a total heater. It doesn’t hurt that he plays on the NHL’s best team — the Avalanche — but the numbers have backed it up.
Five goals in his past five games, as well as eight assists.
But it isn’t just puck luck. Nelson is getting himself in position to score. Firstly, he’s tied for third in this 10-game stretch with a 65% Corsi – which means he’s firing the puck any chance he gets.
One of the more underrated parts about Nelson, is that he has a wicked wrist shot, so if he lets it rip and it’s on net, it could spell trouble for the netminder.
Not only that, Nelson is second in high danger chances, only behind Connor McDavid.
Right now, Nelson is ranking sixth in expected goals, while scoring a smidge more than one goal above expected.
Tonight, the Avs play the Senators and Ottawa has continued to disappoint year after year. It lost two games in a row, with both Linus Ullmark and Leevi Merilinen being horrific against high danger opportunities.
With the Sens being in Colorado, I fully expect the Avs to go haywire here, and for Nelson to be a contributing member of it.
Pick: Brock Nelson Anytime Goal Scorer (+190)
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