NHL Betting Guide: Lines, Trends & Picks For Thursday, Jan. 5

NHL Betting Guide: Today's Lines, Trends & Picks

Today we have a pretty large 10-game NHL slate on this tremendous Thursday, and it's the perfect one to start us off in the new year with some big winners. So be ready to make some wagers and let's cash. BetQL subscribers can see more betting trends and all of our best bets with star ratings for every pick.

Take advantage of BetQL's free trial and see all of today's best NHL bets!

We'll start things off in Columbus, where the visiting Washington Capitals will look to grab a win against the struggling Blue Jackets. Washington has won three of their last five games and comes into this one as one of those teams that people will certainly be backing in the second half of the NHL season. With the momentum they have been building recently and the players they will be getting back from injury, it's easy to see why. Plus, they have been getting some outstanding goaltending, allowing just 2.78 goals per game.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets have been one of the worst teams in the NHL. The only team they have beat over their last five games is the Chicago Blackhawks, who are actually the worst team in the NHL in terms of record. Columbus gives up almost 4.0 goals per game and is atrocious every which way you look at them. The offense scrapes by with just 2.5 goals per game and fails to reach 30 shots on goal for an average per night.

MY PICK: This is an easy one to me: Take the Capitals -1.5 to take care of business. Columbus has not shown it can beat anyone that actually wins games, and the Capitals are not the Blackhawks.

Next up, we'll head over to Las Vegas, where the Golden Knights will host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh has lost five straight games, and they have looked terrible in the process. They started out hot, but have been ice-cold recently. So, why are they such small favorites against a very good Golden Knights team? It doesn't make much sense to me. Pittsburgh is allowing almost 34.0 shots per game, and 3.0 goals per game.

The Golden Knights have been great all season long, building up a 26-12-2 record and pretty much rolling right through their schedule. Their offense is scoring 3.3 goals per game and getting 32.8 shots on net each night. The goaltending has been fantastic, allowing just 2.8 goals per game.

MY PICK: I really like Pittsburgh here tonight. This just seems like a fishy line, and it keeps moving further toward the Penguins. Take them at plus-money here to grab the win.

Bet NHL risk-free up to $500 at BetRivers right now! Take advantage below!

BetMGM NHL OGP Insurance Play of the Day

If you're not playing BetMGM's NHL OGP Insurance promo yet, you're leaving money on the table. Opt in to the promo and place a four-leg (minimum) NHL one-game parlay with at least +400 odds; if your OGP loses by one leg, you'll get your stake back in a free bet up to $25 -- and you can take advantage of this promo once every day there's an NHL game! 

Here is my play for today, using the strategy of adding three short legs to an anytime goal scorer in order to increase our chances of getting the insurance if the parlay doesn't hit; you can apply this strategy to any NHL game, any night: 

Sidney Crosby Anytime Goal
Penguins ML
Golden Knights Under 2.5 1P
Golden Knights +2.5
(OGP odds: +475)

Join BetMGM to start taking advantage of their daily OGP insurance promos across NBA, NFL, NHL and college football, too! New BetMGM customers also get a risk-free first bet up to $1,000 using the offer below!

Bet on NHL risk-free up to $1,000 at BetMGM right now! Take advantage below!

Take advantage of BetQL's free trial and see all of today's best NHL bets, plus what the model is projecting for every NFL, NBA and NCAA football and basketball game this week! Start your free trial today!