Check out tonight's NHL best bets, picks and predictions for Saturday, January 4.
We have a near full slate for the NHL schedule and I've whipped up some of my weekly Best Bets for you.
Tonight, I've come up with two moneyline picks and a puck line pick because I'm feeling extra spicy for the first weekend of 2025.
NHL Best Bets for Saturday, January 4
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. | |
  | 10:00 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. | ||
Blues vs. Blue Jackets
All eyes were on the St. Louis Blues on New Year's Eve after they smacked the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 at Wrigley Field. Following that, they hosted the Ottawa Senators and stifled them at home last night, 4-0.
It’s a little too early to claim that the Blues are back, but it’s looking good so far. Jim Montgomery has had his team firing on all cylinders since he was hired, and since returning from Christmas, the Blues are the top 5-on-5 offense and defense in hockey.
They will play the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are as volatile as ever but purely dominant at home with a 12-5-3 record.
I like what they’re building in Columbus, but the problems remain in net. Elvis Merzlikins will never be “that guy,” nor will Daniil Tarasov or Jet Greaves. All have a sub-.890 SV% and a GSAx in the negatives.
I love Kirill Marchenko and am happy that he’s developing into a superstar sniper, but the goaltending is holding this team back.
Even though the Blues are fresh off traveling and are on the backend of a back-to-back, I feel comfortable in picking them over a volatile Blue Jackets roster.
Pick: Blues ML (+110)
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Wild vs. Hurricanes
I’ve had my eye on this game for about a week.
The Minnesota Wild are a bit of a bizarre team. They hold the fourth-best record in the NHL, but they can’t protect their home ice. Where they thrive is in opposing barns with a 14-3-3 record. After a shootout win in Washington, they head to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
Conversely, the Canes are among the top home teams in the NHL, with a 14-4 record. However, they’re coming home after a convincing win in Florida to beat the defending champ Panthers.
With these usually two dominating teams, they’ve both played at a middling pace over the past few months. Both are typically stifling defenses, but the difference tonight will be in net.
Especially now with Kirill Kaprizov on the shelf and has yet to resume skating.
Carolina’s goaltending has been suspect for a few years and continuously gets bailed out by the team in front. Pyotr Kochetkov has handled full-time responsibilities admirably, but he’s consistently inconsistent with a .902 SV% and 6.3 GSAx (goals saved above expected).
His GSAx is fine, but overall, he’s not a goalie I’ve felt comfortable backing for a while.
Filip Gustavsson of the Wild is a different story and is on a tear this season. He’s playing at an astounding level with a .924 SV% and a third-best 17.8 GSAx. He’ll also be on a few days' rest, with Marc-Andre Fleury getting the start on Thursday.
Both of these teams are armed with superstars, so it won’t be easy for either of these netminders. Ultimately, I think Gustavsson is the one that prevails and Minnesota caps off the mini-road trip with a win.
Pick: Wild ML (+160)
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Sabres vs. Golden Knights
It’s been a tormenting season for the Buffalo Sabres and their fans. Their 12-game losing streak was well documented, and yet, they’re still not the worst team in the standings.
After Buffalo ended its losing streak, it got back on the saddle and won three in a row, just like that. But I feel sorry for them regardless. The Sabres have been on the road for nine out of their past 11 games, including this recent West Coast road trip, which ends in Vegas tonight.
The Vegas Golden Knights are in a familiar position: first place in the Pacific Division, second in the league and 8-2 in their past 10. On top of that, they’re dominant at home with a 16-4 record.
I see this as a great opportunity to fade Buffalo, who has to be exhausted by now. In the Knights’ past six home games, they’ve won by more than one goal.
Buffalo may be playing decent defense down the stretch, but you have to wonder if the Sabres’ legs are straight goo at this point. I also can’t trust their goaltending either. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been OK at best, but I think this season is starting to wear on him too.
Playing the puck line is always a risk in hockey, but given how dominant Vegas has been and how tired Buffalo will be, I see this as a decent play.
Pick: Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (+130)
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