NHL Games to Watch Thursday, January 17, 2019

The New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Nashville Predators will all be looking to take care of business on their respective home ice in a trio of NHL Thursday Night matchups that look like they’re all offering some stupendous value against their NHL Odds. Now, let’s find out if all three home teams can get it done!

#NYR game night for an Original Six matchup @TheGarden!
🆚 Chicago
🕰 7pm
📺 @MSGNetworks
📻 @ESPNNY98_7FM
🎟 https://t.co/6ueN75QRLJ pic.twitter.com/otOquynQHi

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 17, 2019

Chicago has gone 3-4-3 over their last 10 games, but just 8-13-3 on the road this season. The Blackhawks have dropped four straight including their humbling 8-5 loss to New Jersey on Monday. Chicago averages 3.0 goals per game (16th) while allowing a whopping 3.7 goals per game defensively (30th).

The Rangers have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games and an encouraging 12-6-3 at home. New York has won two of three and come into this contest off an emphatic 6-2 win over Carolina on Tuesday. The Rangers average 2.8 goals per game (26th) while allowing 3.4 goals per contest defensively (27th).

For this matchup, I’m going to advise you to play the Over in this matchup. The Over is 7-0-1 in Chicago’s last 8 games against a team with a losing record and 4-1-1 in their last 6 games against teams from the Eastern Conference. The Over is also 4-0 in New York’s last four home games and 4-1 in their last five games following a win. Both of these teams are pretty awful at the defensive end of the ice and that means, at least seven goals are going to be scored in this contest.

Predicted Score: Chicago Blackhawks 3 | New York Rangers 4

Toronto has gone 5-5 over their last 10 games and a stellar 15-5-1 on the road this season. The Leafs have lost two straight and three of their last four games including their 6-3 loss to Colorado on Monday. Toronto averages a stellar 3.6 goals per game to rank fourth in scoring while allowing 2.8 goals per contest defensively (9th).

Tampa Bay has gone a red-hot 8-2 over their last 10 games and a stupendous 19-4 on their home ice this season. The Lightning have won four of their last five games including a 2-0 shutout win over Dallas on Tuesday. Tampa Bay averages a league-leading 4.0 goals per game while limiting the opposition to 2.8 goals per game defensively (8th).

Tampa Bay has won eight of their last 10 home meetings against Toronto while the home team in this matchup of Eastern Conference heavyweights has gone 4-0 in the last four meetings. With the Leafs going 2-5 in their last seven and 1-4 in their last five games against a team with a winning record, I say back the explosive Tampa Bay Lightning to get it done while sending a message to their conference rivals should they meet in the postseason.

Predicted Score: Toronto Maple Leafs 2 | Tampa Bay Lightning 3

Winnipeg has gone 6-4 over their last 10 games and a decent 12-8 on the road this season. The Jets have won three straight and five of six including their statement-making 4-1 win over Vegas on Tuesday. Winnipeg averages 3.5 goals per game to rank sixth in scoring while allowing 2.8 goals per contest defensively to rank an identical sixth in goals allowed.

Nashville has gone 6-2-2 over their last 10 games and an impressive 16-7 on their home ice. The Predators have won four of their last six games and snapped a modest two-game skid by smacking the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals senseless en route to a commanding 7-2 win on Tuesday night.

The Nashville Predators might be playing at home and they might be coming off an impressive win against the defending champs, but for this intriguing showdown of elite Western Conference cup contenders, I’m going to advise you to back the Winnipeg Jets to get the big upset on the road.

Forward Blake Wheeler is dishing out assists like they’re going out of style and playing at a seriously high level. The Jets have gone 7-2 in their last nine games against a team with a winning record while Nashville has gone an uninspiring 2-5 in their last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game and 1-6 in their last 7 Thursday games. With the road team in this rivalry going 4-1 in the last five meetings and the Jets simply playing better hockey than the Predators recently, I say back Winnipeg for the win.

Predicted Score: Winnipeg Jets 3 | Nashville Predators 2