NHL

NHL Betting Guide: Wednesday 1/19/22

Coyotes goalie Karel Vejmelka has three wins over his past five starts. Can he make it four of six against the Devils on Wednesday night?

Even though we have only three games to choose from tonight, there are still some substantive edges in the betting market. Underdogs split the 10-game slate last night, cashing in five games. Based on our projections, we should expect more of the same, with implied advantages on the dogs in all three Wednesday night matchups.

Here's a look at some of our favorite wagers from our daily projections!

New Jersey Devils vs. Arizona Coyotes

Coyotes (+164): 3-Star Rating Out of 5
Coyotes +1.5 (-152): 4-Star Rating Out of 5

The Arizona Coyotes have been making some noise over their recent sample, but that hasn't impacted their position in the betting market against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night. The Yotes enter the contest as steep +164 underdogs, leaving an edge in backing them to win outright and covering the puckline.

Arizona has posted expected goals-for ratings above 50.0% in 5 of their past 10 games -- a span in which they have accumulated only four wins. The Coyotes have made some adjustments in their defending zone, limiting opponents to nine or fewer high-danger chances in three of six games. They've also limited them to 24 or fewer scoring chances in four of six. They can lean into their defensive zone coverage to limit a Devils offense that continues to spin their tires.

Jersey has been one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NHL this season, ranking in the bottom third of the league in goals scored. However, the Devils' bigger issue recently has been goaltending, as they've allowed at least three goals in 12 of their past 13 outings. Mackenzie Blackwood is the expected starter tonight, but that doesn't alleviate those concerns; the 25-year-old is stopping just 87.6% of shots over his previous nine starts.

The Coyotes have enjoyed some success recently thanks to improved metrics and better goaltending. That remains an area of concern for the Devils. They are 4-9-0 over their past 13 games. Based on our projections, the Coyotes should be favored in tonight's contest and have a 51.2% chance of winning. On that basis, Arizona's moneyline and puckline wagers are rated as three and four-star plays, respectively.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche

Ducks (+225): 3-Star Rating Out of 5

The Anaheim Ducks have wielded their home-ice advantage unmercifully this season, racking up the best points percentage in the Pacific Division. They can rely on their impressive offensive metrics to get past the Colorado Avalanche at the Honda Center.

The Ducks are averaging 23.2 scoring and 10.6 high-danger chances per game at five-on-five this season, helping them to an average of 3.2 goals per game at home. That's been on full display over their recent more recent home games, as they've recorded three or more goals in six of their past nine. That could make it hard for the Avs to keep pace as they deal with looming regression.

Colorado has overachieved relative to their metrics, getting outplayed at five-on-five in five of their past nine while still winning eight of those contests. Their only loss over that span was an overtime defeat, meaning the Avs have points in nine straight games. Those performances have resulted in a 1.023 PDO over their previous nine games, elevating the Avs' PDO to 1.016 on the season.

Colorado can't continue to get outplayed and win games. They'll have their hands full against a Ducks squad that has been good at home this year. Consequently, there's an edge in backing the Ducks on the moneyline, which we rate as a three-star play, per our projections.