Hope you guys got in on our NHL anytime goal scorers piece last night, since Jake DeBrusk and Brock Nelson helped us cash out on some quality winnings.
Tonight, the NHL slate isn’t as big as it was last night, so we’re going to zero in on them all. The schedule tonight includes the Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings vs Winnipeg Jets, and St. Louis Blues vs Utah Mammoth.
Let’s dive into my NHL best bets, picks, and predictions for Friday January 9.
NHL Best Bets for Friday, January 9
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8:00 p.m. | |
  | 8:00 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. | ||
Capitals vs. Blackhawks
The Capitals hosted the Stars on Wednesday night, and it was a total domination by Dallas, with a score of 4-1.
Washington has been totally brutal in these past 10 games, going 3-5-2, which also includes a loss to tonight’s opponents, the Blackhawks.
Chicago’s been at a disadvantage since Connor Bedard went down with an injury, but don’t look now, the boys are rolling with their first four wins to kick off the year 2026.
One of those wins includes a 3-2 shootout win against Washington in our nation’s capital.
I’m a little concerned about Washington right now, as it’s currently playing bottom-funnel hockey at 5-on-5. Since December 22, the Capitals are ranked sixth-worst in expected goals, with a 43.65 xGF% and are fifth-worst defensively with a 3.25 xGA/60.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are totally hummin’, driving play to a 51.04 xGF%, as well as a 2.62 xGA/60.
Not only that, Chicago’s special teams over the previous 10 games have been dynamite, scoring at will with a 28.6% success rate on the power play. On the penalty kill, it’s been just as good, stuffing opposing PPs at an 86.7% rate.
This seems like a really good opportunity to back the Blackhawks here since the Hawks are home. Chicago is sporting a 10-8-4 record at home, while the Capitals have lost seven out of their last eight away games.
Pick: Blackhawks ML (+125)
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Kings vs. Jets
Seeing the Jets in the position they’re in now breaks my heart.
After winning the President’s Trophy last season, and then addressing their roster’s needs by adding Tanner Pearson, Cole Koepke, and Jonathan Toews after losing Nikolaj Ehlers, it gave me an uneasy feeling that this was going to be a lost season.
Last night, Winnipeg pulled ahead against the Oilers 3-1 in the first period at home, until Edmonton stormed with three unanswered goals for the win.
That seems to be the theme of this season for the Jets. Lose, lose, lose. And then lose some more.
They’ve only won one game since December 6, and are currently on an 11-game losing streak.
For Los Angeles, the Kings are wrapping up a four-game homestand. The difference is, the Kings are dominant on the road, going 11-5-5 and have been playing some sound 5-on-5 hockey with a 52.21 xGF% and a 2.61 xGA/60.
It’s been a major boost getting goaltender Darcy Kuemper back, who was recently named to Team Canada in the Olympics.
Over the previous 10 games, Kuemper has played to a 3.9 GSAx; however, given the poor play from the Jets as of late, this could be an opportunity for Anton Forsberg to see the ice for the first time since December 29.
Forsberg, whom I’ve always been skeptical of, has been sound in recent starts, so as of right now, I don’t see a problem with either of the Kings’ options.
I actually think this does have a solid chance at going over the 5.5 total, since Connor Hellebuyck started last night against the Oilers, and it will force Eric Comrie to assume the crease.
With how well Los Angeles has played, too, I think the Over is the play here.
Pick: Over 5.5 (-115)
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Blues vs. Mammoth
Whenever the St. Louis Blues hit the road, it usually spells imminent trouble for goaltenders Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer.
We already discussed how poorly the Jets have been, but it’s almost insane to see how much of a dumpster fire the Blues are as well.
As much as it was a good laugh for fans, seeing Binnington reject coach Jim Montgomery’s request for him to come in after getting smoked by the Blackhawks, and then Hofer hiding in the locker room… it’s just a bad look overall.
St. Louis has a lot of figuring out to do. And it feels like it’s going to take longer than this season to get its ducks in a row.
The Blues’ 5-on-5 attack has been brutal all season, and even in the past two weeks, they’re playing to a seventh-worst 43.85 xGF% and a 2.95 xGA/60.
All while Utah has been playing lights out at 5-on-5 play, leading the charge with a 62.84 xGF% and a 1.94 xGA/60.
From the looks of it too, the wins are starting to pile up as well for the Mammoth, winning three out of their last four games, though I’m skeptical of Utah’s goaltending.
Both Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek have not been great over the past 10 games, and could be a reason why the Mammoth haven’t been overly dominant.
Utah has the skill with Clayton Keller playing like one of the best forwards in the game right now, and Dylan Guenther looks well on his way to becoming a 30 goal scorer for the first time in his career.
I’m going to parlay this game. Utah’s moneyline is pretty steep for me, but I still feel confident in the Mammoth winning this game. While I’m also feeling confident on anytime goal scorers, I feel great about Guenther.
Guenther was held goalless last game against Ottawa, but he’s been a scoring machine as of late while also hammering 6.9 shot attempts per game.
With Guenther’s laser, I think he’s capable of getting one past the swiss cheese net of St. Louis.
Pick: Parlay (Utah ML & Guenther AGS, +297)
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