Tuesday NHL Matchups Preview, Predictions & Odds

Your 10-game Tuesday NHL matchups preview is highlighted by a Metropolitan Division clash between the New Jersey Devils (25-12-3, 53 points) and the Carolina Hurricanes (25-8-7, 57 points). With the Devils trailing the ‘Canes by four points in the NHL standings, you can bet that both teams will be at their best with a regulation win sending a massive message to the victor. Carolina has cashed four straight overs, New Jersey two, but both streaks may be broken tonight. Let’s take a look at tonight’s NHL lines starting with our feature match-up.

Must-Watch Television

There shouldn’t be anything that resembles panic in Raleigh, but the last time they won a game was against the New Jersey Devils (5-4) in a shootout. Since, the Metro leaders have dropped three games, all as a favorite including games against the Columbus Blue Jackets (-360) and Nashville Predators (-225) as massive favorites.

The most lethal team in the NHL news has been just okay while scoring just three goals in each while allowing 14, including the loss to the New York Rangers (5-3) to start the small losing streak. It doesn’t appear as if the oddsmakers have lost any faith, making the Hurricanes a -135 favorite, with the public pushing that number up to -155. It’s almost mid-January but this is a key match-up for New Jersey which needs a win to keep pace with Carolina.

A regulation loss would put them six points behind the ‘Canes, a win they could close the gap to two. From a betting perspective, there are few things that are a bigger gift than pre and post-game press conferences. The Devils talk about getting back to their game and hitting the reset button. You have to read between the lines some, but that just means we have to play better defensively, something you can say for both clubs.

That statement takes on extra meaning for New Jersey after failing to beat the Hurricanes in either of their meetings this NHL season, making up most of the current point deficit for the Devils. We do know that Devils head Coach, Lindy Ruff has been more of an offensive coach throughout his career, but it seems as if he puts more of an emphasis on playing well in his team’s defensive zone.

‘We do know that Devils head Coach, Lindy Ruff has been more of an offensive coach throughout his career, but it seems as if he puts more of an emphasis on playing well in his team’s defensive zone.’

If the numbers hold, this will be the first time in his career that his NHL team stats will have turned a profit betting the under since 2011-12 when he was behind the bench for the Buffalo Sabres. To conclude our first NHL matchups preview, our recommendation is to take the under 6, a number that has been bet down from 6.5. We don’t think a 6.5 will pop up again despite 65% of the tickets coming in on the over, because 75% of the money wagered is on the under.

An interesting stance the bookmakers are taking on the total is set at 5.5. The Dallas Stars are the fourth-highest-scoring team in the league, averaging 3.51 goals per game. That has only translated into three overs in their last 10 games with a push (3-6-1) but we still thought the number would be six.

The Islanders are on a 5-3-2 to-the-under streak, mostly on the back of reliable goaltending. Jake Oettinger (17-7-3, 2.34 GA, .922) is likely to get the start in net for Dallas against Ilya Sorokin (13-12-1, 2.35 GA, .924) for New York. All of that sounds like an easy recipe for an underplay except for one small trend that we’re going to follow in this game. The Islanders were embarrassed by the Calgary Flames four days ago (4-1).

The Flames were in control for 60 minutes. That sets us up for an over wager in this one with Gerard Gallant’s team showing the willingness to turn up the offensive intensity after getting just 25 pucks on Flames Goaltender Jacob Markstrom in the loss.

We often talk about defensive reset buttons, but there is one for offense as well and we’ve seen Gallant reach for it as recently as a week ago when they put up six goals on the Canucks after dropping a 4-1 decision to the Seattle Kraken on New Year day. Expect that again tonight, with this game flying over the generous 5.5.

To warp up our top NHL matchups preview we go to New York, where Marc-Andre Fleury and the Wild take on Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers. We bring up the goaltenders early because that is the story of the game. MAF will be back after taking a few days away from the team to head his head right. If we’re being honest, the 2021 Vezina Trophy winner hasn’t looked right since leaving the Vegas Golden Knights.

‘We bring up the goaltenders early because that is the story of the game. MAF will be back after taking a few days away from the team to head his head right. If we’re being honest, the 2021 Vezina Trophy winner hasn’t looked right since leaving the Vegas Golden Knights.’

The three-time Stanley Cup champion gave up six goals in an overtime loss to Buffalo and then strangely took his mini leave of absence. It was a peculiar move considering Fleury had been playing well up to that point, not allowing more than three since December 9th against Edmonton and three just once in that six-game span. We know Fleury some and we can tell you that there are off-the-ice issues that he has had to deal with over the last few years.

He is very sensitive and is likely harder on himself than any other netminder in the league (neck in neck with Jack Campbell). Our wager is going to be on the over until confidence can be restored in one of the league’s most popular NHL players Stats, we’re just not sure the Rangers, who put up 33 shots a night, are the team you want to face when you’re looking to get refocused.

Ice Chips

The Kraken have won five straight games but we think this is where the streak ends. Buffalo is 12-5 the game after scoring two goals or less and has beaten Western Conference opponents six straight times. They’ll get the best of the Kraken who dropped eight of 11 when playing on back-to-back nights. Buffalo leads the NHL schedule in scoring (3.89) so don’t get too overboard after being shut out by the Flyers (4-0), Monday.

Wait For the Highlights

Not much to say about the clear stinker game of the night, but if you’re a glutton for punishment we recommend the under as we anticipate a slow-paced affair after the Coyotes were once again embarrassed on home ice against the Penguins (4-1), Sunday. The Yotes have NHL scores just nine goals in their last five games and three in their last three.

Want more articles like this? Check these out:

• Sabres vs Red Wings Betting Odds: Atlantic Division Showdown on Wednesday Night
• Knights vs Bruins Game Preview & Pick
• Panthers vs Winnipeg Odds: Jets Battle Florida on Tuesday Night
• Maple Leafs vs Stars Betting Odds & Hockey Analysis
• Rangers vs Knights Betting Preview: Vegas Strip Showdown On Wednesday Night