Check out NHL best bets, picks and predictions for Friday, January 10.
We have a decent slate tonight with 10 teams in action and the playoff race continues to get tighter. With the Cotton Bowl starting at 7:30 p.m. ET, I figure I give you an appetizer with two NHL best bets, both in the 7:00 p.m. slot.
Let's get into Friday's NHL Best Bets and predictions.
NHL Best Bets, Friday January 10
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our NHL betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
  | 7:00 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Blackhawks vs. Red Wings
The Chicago Blackhawks have started the year 2025 well, winning two out of three games, but you’d hardly know it looking at their expected goals with a 44.18 xGF%.
Chicago has statistically been one of the worst teams in the league all season, but every once in a while, a rose grows out of a crack in concrete. The Blackhawks have strung decent stretches on the scoreboard, winning three straight last month and continuing with their current little run.
They’ll eventually get to where they need to be with their young and talented roster. But play time’s over.
They come into the Motor City to face the Detroit Red Wings, who since firing coach Derek Lalonde and hiring Todd McLellan, have won five consecutive games. Remember a few months back when I talked about “new coach luck?” It’s a real thing and McLellan has the boys in red humming.
Since the hire, the Red Wings are the sixth most efficient offense in the league with a 55.01 xGF% and sixth-best defense with a 2.73 xGA/60.
Star forward Lucas Raymond has certainly benefitted from the change, with nine points in six games. He’s also had his way against Chicago in his career, playing at over a point-per-game pace in the seven games he’s squared off against them.
Candidly, I still think Detroit needs an upgrade in net. Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon aren’t going to cut it for too long. While Lyon has played at a high level as of late, he will be day-to-day after getting pulled during Tuesday’s game vs. Ottawa with an upper-body injury.
Regardless, the momentum is riding in Detroit’s favor and I anticipate the Wings coming out of this matchup with a regulation win.
Pick: Red Wings 60 Minute ML (-115)
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Canadiens vs. Capitals
Two red-hot teams will go at it in our nation's capital with the Washington Capitals hosting the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal hasn’t played since Monday, so there’s a chance it starts slow, but the Habs are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Nick Suzuki is on a four-game point streak and Cole Caufield has a goal in four straight.
Similarly, the Caps are running roughshod through the NHL with the league’s second-best record. Spencer Carbery has had his guys playing at a high level with key contributions from Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas (both with points in four out of their past five games).
Both teams have managed to score in bunches, and during the two times they’ve battled this season, it’s gone over the total of 5.5. Not only that, Montreal is rolling out its rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes who has blown the league away in his first two starts; only allowing one goal in 57 shots faced.
However, all good things must eventually come to an end. Dobes has shown a lot of promise, but it’s been almost a week since he’s played, and Washington has the potential to run the score up, scoring over three goals five times since returning from the holiday break.
I’m sensing a red-light party tonight, so hammer the total.
Pick: Over 5.5 (-135)
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