NHL Betting Preview – 22nd January 2020
It’s a shortened week on the NHL schedule with the All-Star break beginning on Friday. There is a six day break in the fixture list after tonight’s doubleheader.
Winnipeg Jets @ Columbus Blue Jackets
When: Wednesday January 22nd @ 7:38PM
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Odds: Winnipeg Jets +145 Columbus Blue Jackets -175
Mid-table Winnipeg Jets head south of the border to face the in-form Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio.
Our Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets (-1.5) @ +150 with VIP Sports.
The Blue Jackets have managed to keep themselves in the hunt for the post-season with five wins in a row. John Tortorella’s side sit back in sixth in the Metropolitan Division. However, they are only three points back from the third placed Islanders and a win here could see them jump up to fourth before the All-Star break.
This is the second game of a back-to-back for the Jets. They lost 4-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. They have now lost their last three games in a row and are placed fourth in the Central Division.
Columbus won last time out against the Rangers thanks to two goals from Oliver Bjorkstrand. The Dane now has 25 points to his name this season. Pierre Luc-Dubois is their top point scorer this season with 35. Back him to score anytime with VIP Sports at +180.
We expect the Blue Jackets to keep their good run of form going. A two goal win is definitely on the cards and for that reason we’re backing them in the Puck Line betting.
Detroit Red Wings @ Minnesota Wild
When: Wednesday January 22nd @ 8:08PM
Where: Xcel Energy Arena, St. Paul, Minnesota
Odds: Detroit Red Wings +365 Minnesota Wild -175
Two of the worst teams in the league face each other at the Xcel Energy Arena on Wednesday night.
Our Pick: Tie @ +390 with VIP Sports.
This isn’t exactly one to get the pulses racing. The Detroit Red Wings have the worst record in the league (12-34-4). The Wild are bottom of the Central Division with a 22-21-6 record.
A tough one to call then. Home advantage will play into Minnesota’s favour but a recent record of seven defeats in their last ten games doesn’t bode well. The Red Wings have been on a similar run of form with a few heavy defeats included.
The season went from bad to worse for the Red Wings with news of Anthony Mantha’s season-ending injury announced earlier this week. In his absence, Tyler Bertuzzi and Dylan Larkin will have to shoulder much of the offensive load for the remainder of the season. They can be backed at +225 and +210 respectively to get on the scoresheet on Wednesday night.
It’s too close to call between these two and we can see it going all the way to a shootout. You back the tie with VIP Sports at an attractive +395.
If you’re interested in player betting then there’s a couple of interesting lines to look out for. The Red Wings are know for having a leaky defense and Mats Zuccarello and the Wild offense might prosper. Zuccarello to have over 1.5 shots on goal can be backed at -140 with VIP.
