Welcome to VSiN’s NHL Betting Guide for Wednesday, January 18th, featuring odds, predictions and best bets. The guide also includes the latest news, projected starting goaltenders, and important injury updates. Whether you’re a seasoned NHL bettor or learning how to be on hockey, this guide is an essential resource for making informed bets on NHL games.
Today’s NHL Odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
- Pittsburgh Penguins (-115) at Ottawa Senators (-105)
- Boston Bruins (-195) at New York Islanders (+165)
- Colorado Avalanche (+110) at Calgary Flames (-130)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (-180) at Vancouver Canucks (+155)
- Dallas Stars (-155) at San Jose Sharks (+135)
NHL Model Predictions (Projected Home Team Win Probability)
*Subject to change based on starting goaltenders and injury news.
- Ottawa – 49.1 percent (+103)
- Islanders – 39.7 percent (+152)
- Calgary – 53.3 percent (-114)
- Vancouver – 36.4 percent (+175)
- San Jose – 46.8 percent (+143)
Best Bets
Dallas ranks 21st in goals (per 60) over the last month, but the Stars were the fifth-best team in expected goals and they were the third-best team on offense prior to this recent scoring slump. The Stars have scored at least four goals (nine total) in both of their previous matchups versus the Sharks, who have allowed at least four goals in 10 out of their last 13 games.
Handicapping the Stars' chances of beating the Sharks in San Jose on Wednesday is tough because star forward Roope Hintz' status is still up in the air, and there's a good chance that backup Scott Wedgewood will be between the pipes. However, the Stars' chances of scoring at least four goals against James Reimer and the Sharks are better than 50 percent whether Hintz is in the lineup or not.
Wins: 53
Losses: 60
Units Won: -12.87
ROI: -10.3 percent
All bets tracked on third-party app Betstamp.
Schedule Notes
*Indicates that a team is playing the first half of a back-to-back
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Rest
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Away
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Home
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Rest
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1
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*TBL
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VAN
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2
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4/6
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PIT
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OTT
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1
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1
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*BOS
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NYI*
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1
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1
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COL
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CGY
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1
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1
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*DAL
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SJS
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1
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Projected Starting Goaltenders
No goaltenders are confirmed unless otherwise stated. Projections are based on factors like rest, venue, opponent and upcoming games. Projected starters underlined.
- Ottawa – Cam Talbot has lost four in a row, but he’s expected to start on Wednesday.
- Pittsburgh – Tristan Jarry will travel with the team, but it’s unclear if he will play. Casey DeSmith is expected to start.
- Boston – Jeremy Swayman is coming off a shutout win and might have earned himself another start. Boston is in the middle of playing three games in four days. The Bruins are in New York on Thursday.
- Islanders – New York is in Buffalo on Thursday, but it looks like Semyon Varlamov will get the start versus the Bruins.
- Calgary – Jacob Markstrom wasn’t the reason the Flames lost to the Predators on Monday, so maybe he earned himself another start, but Dan Vladar has been reliable and could be back between the pipes.
- Colorado – Pavel Francouz is back from injury and has won his last starts after posting a loss in his return. He’s allowed just three goals in his last two games (one shutout). Alexandar Georgiev hasn’t played since Jan. 10th, though.
- Tampa Bay – Brian Elliott is projected to start Wednesday in Vancouver. The Lightning are in Edmonton on Thursday.
- Vancouver – Spencer Martin is the projected starter until the team announces Thatcher Demko’s return.
- Dallas – Jake Oettinger isn’t going to play three games in four days. Scott Wedgewood is the projected starter in San Jose. Dallas plays in Los Angeles on Thursday.
- San Jose – James Reimer has been confirmed.
Injury Updates
Check out the VSiN NHL Injury Report.
- Pittsburgh – Kris Letang and Jan Rutta will not play. Tristan Jarry, Jeff Petry Ryan Poehling and Josh Archibald will travel with the team to Ottawa but it’s unclear if any will suit up.
- Ottawa – Josh Norris is expected to return to the Senators’ lineup.
- Islanders – The Islanders have felt the loss of Adam Pelech, and it doesn’t look like he will return in time for this game.
- Dallas – Roope Hintz isn’t expected to be out long term, but he is still listed as day-to-day.