NHL Best Bets for Monday January 12 2026
Use Code WWWC The NHL action is heating up the ice on Monday with a total of 9 games on the slate. The pucks start dropping at 7 PM EST, but continue until 10 PM EST. That is over 3 hours of starting game times with roughly 2 extra hours for game play. With that being said, we are giving you are our best best for the NHL games at Winners and Whiners, but you can find all of our free NHL picks to be helpful as well.
Panthers vs Sabres
Buffalo has played good at home with a 14-5-2 record on home ice. The Panthers for their part have struggled to reach a five hundred mark on the road. Buffalo is coming into the game here with an offense that is playing better as well with 3.19 goals per game versus the Panthers 3.02 goals per game. Defensively the Sabres are better as well giving up 3.12 goals per game versus the 3.21 of Florida. Those factors combined make it easier for me seeing Buffalo picking up the home win.
Hurricanes vs Red Wings
In a Metro vs Atlantic leader matchup the Hurricanes are facing the Red Wings in what should be one of the marquee matches on Monday. The Red Wings are outmatched in this game as Carolina is putting in 3.36 goals per game and the Red Wings counter with only 3.11 goals per game. Defensively the game is a little more competitive, but it tilts slightly to Carolina as well with 2.96 goals allowed versus the 3.04 from Detroit. In this game, though, and playing on home ice I see the Red Wings pulling out the win.
Kraken vs Rangers
The Rangers looked downright horrible in their last game against the Bruins giving up 10 goals. However, the Rangers are also in the middle of a long slide that have seen them pick up the win only one time in their last 5 games. The Kraken, though, are coming off of a close and tough loss in their last game against Carolina. That can make it harder for the Kraken to lose as the close game was a heart breaker, but it is a loss and the Kraken are on the road and on the opposite coast compared to normal. The road fatigue along with the the fact that the Kraken are only slightly better overall makes it easier for me to pick the Rangers as my winning pick in this game.
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Lightning vs Flyers
The Lightning and Flyers are a couple of teams that do have some history this season already. However, the Flyers have looked more like an AHL team in the games against the Lightning. The Flyers have lost both of the games to Tampa Bay already this year and it was by a combined total of 10-2 and the Flyers in the opening game of the series was blanked. The Lightning seem to have the Flyers number and I do not see that changing in this game here.
Canucks vs Canadiens
This used to be a great matchup and one that the fans would circle on the calendar. However, in recent years the Canucks have not looked like a team that could be good and the Canadiens for their part are not flashy, but are consistent. That type of consistent play makes it easier for me to see the Canadiens being able to take advantage of the struggling Canucks and secure the win on the day.
Devils vs Wild
The Devils are a team that has not really played that well on the road so far this year with a 11-13-0 road record. The Wild for their part are playing very impressive hockey at home with a 13-4-6 record. The Wild are also coming in with a better leader on the ice with Kaprizov putting in 52 points on the year versus Bratt from the Devils who has ended up getting only 34 points, but only 9 of those have come from goals. That makes it easier for us to see the Wild relying on their stronger impact players and home ice advantage to get the win.
Oilers vs Blackhawks
Edmonton is heading to this game here with an offense that is very potent on the year with 3.38 goals per game scored, but the Blackhawks have only managed to get 2.82 goals per game. The Blackhawks defense has allowed 3.09 goals per game and that is decent, but the Oilers has allowed 3.31 goals per game. The Blackhawks offense, though, I do not see being strong enough to make up the difference in the game here and as the Oilers are able to secure the win.
Maple Leafs vs Avalanche
Colorado is one of the best teams in the NHL this year with only 4 losses on the year. The Maple Leafs for their part has played good on the season, but still are sitting on only a 22-15-7 record. The last 5 games have seen Toronto get a 4-0-1 mark in their last 5 games, but the Avalanche have posted a 3-2-0 record on the year. Colorado is also coming off of a shutout victory over the Blue Jackets and that is going to help give Colorado confidence coming into this game here to secure the win.
Stars vs Kings
Dallas comes to this game here with the better offense with 3.42 goals per game versus the 2.64 goals per game for the Kings. The Kings are playing better defense, but just barely with 2.73 goals per game allowed and the Stars have 2.80 goals per game allowed. With this being a road game, I actually see the special teams making an impact and the lack of conversion for the Kings costing the Kings the game here.
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