Hello and welcome everyone to the Thursday edition of the NHL Best Bets on January 16, 2025! Back in the saddle on the NHL picks here after a fantastic 5-1 finish on the Tuesday slate! 

Now I can’t wait to dive into this jam packed 13-game slate to keep the money flowing! Many opportunities to make some green tonight so check out my thoughts below and let’s get after it!

 

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/16

In this NHL Best Bets Today article you will find a wide array of choices from some Money Lines and Team totals to plenty of player props for the action today in NHL Picks! 

Now, let's dive into my expert NHL Best Bets today!

  • Regular Season Record: 130-98-1
  • Bankroll: +19.4 Units

*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10

 

 

 

Capitals vs. Senators Prediction: Thursday, January 16th

By this point in the NHL season these teams have shown us who they are so why not just start believing them? The Capitals are a perfect example as they have shocked the hockey world through most of the season, but the numbers wouldn’t surprise you as they are playing fantastic defense and getting top tier goaltending from Logan Thompson. 

Of goalies that have played at least 15 games Logan Thompson is 2nd in goals saved above expected at 21.2! He is well behind Hellebuyck for first but what company to be in. The Caps team overall are also allowing just 2.57 goals per game on the road which is a top 3 mark in the NHL this season. These kinds of stats speak to me of an under wager but let’s talk about the Senators too. 

Ottawa has sort of reinvented themselves this season as they were known for years to not play defense and win games on the back of their forwards, but it seems like those days are long gone. Between Linus Ullmark and Leevi Merilainen this team is stingy, and the latter has done a nice job filling in lately with a 1.98 GAA and .925 SV% that includes a pair of shutouts in just 7 starts! 

The Senators overall have gone under the total at a record of 25-13-5 on the season as well to the excellent goaltending so let’s hit that as one of the best bets today. 

  • Expert Capitals vs. Senators Picks: 

 

 

 

Sharks vs. Blue Jackets Prediction: Thursday, January 16th

In the year 2025 I can’t believe I am about to type this, but I love the way the Columbus Blue Jackets are playing hockey right now. This team still has a lot to achieve but on home ice there’s something special brewing in the Ohio capital. They are 15-5-3 straight up this season and are scoring the most goals per game at home this season with 4.09! 

That’s right. the Blue Jackets are leading the league in home scoring, wow. That leads me into today’s other top wager as the San Jose Sharks are coming to town and this team is just a complete mess right now. 

The Sharks come into tonight losers of 7 in the last 10 games and the worst goal differential in the entire NHL at -41. They are awful on the road as well with a Money Line record of 6-17 straight up on the season. San Jose is allowing 3.43 goals per game as a road team this season which is 8th most in the NHL and score only 2.48 goals on the offensive side. 

Their goaltender in Alexandar Georgiev doesn’t figure to help much either with his 3.44 GAA on the season and -7.2 goals saved above expected stat line. Give me the Blue Jackets to win in regulation tonight on the 60-minute Money Line and let the good times continue to roll in Columbus. 

 

 

 

Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/16