Three-game NHL slate favors favorites: back Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals on the moneyline, and consider Utah Mammoth -1.5 (+142) on the puck line — Mammoth’s recent form and the Blues’ road struggles suggest a likely multi-goal Utah win, making the +142 puck-line price appealing for value-seeking bettors.
Friday NHL Three-Game Slate — Best Bets & Breakdown
The short Friday slate features three games where favorites look authoritative. I’m backing the Kings and Capitals on the moneyline and targeting Utah on the puck line for value. Below are game-by-game looks, context for bettors, and the reasoning behind each pick.
Kings at Jets — Pick: Los Angeles Kings ML (-125)
Winnipeg has dropped 11 straight games and sits at the bottom of the standings, while Los Angeles begins a quick two-game road trip on the back half of the Jets’ slide. The Kings have actually been better on the road (11-5-5) than at home (7-9-5) this season, and Winnipeg faces a back-to-back matchup. Expect the Kings to be more sizable favorites by puck drop; backing Los Angeles on the moneyline looks sensible given Winnipeg’s cold streak and fatigue concerns.
Capitals at Blackhawks — Pick: Washington Capitals ML (-148)
Chicago’s four-game winning streak includes multiple extra-time results, indicating results that may be unsustainable. Washington enters motivated after a recent loss and could get key power forwards Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson back, which would restore physicality and net-front presence. With Chicago’s surge likely to regress and Washington adding important personnel, the Capitals on the moneyline are the safer play in this matchup.
Utah Mammoth vs. St. Louis Blues — Pick: Utah Mammoth -1.5 (+142)
Utah is the heavy favorite on the moneyline, so the puck-line at +142 presents appealing upside. The Mammoth have won 12 of 21 games by more than a goal, and St. Louis has 17 regulation losses by multiple goals. The Blues just suffered another lopsided road defeat and have now lost several consecutive road games by large margins. Utah’s recent 3-1 win shows they can control the game; Mammoth -1.5 offers value for bettors expecting a decisive home victory.
Recommended Bets
- Los Angeles Kings — Moneyline (-125) - Washington Capitals — Moneyline (-148) - Utah Mammoth — Puck line -1.5 (+142)
Betting Notes
Lines can move before puck drop; monitor scratches and last-minute injury news. Adjust stakes if key players are ruled out or if lines shift significantly.
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Breaking down the best NHL bets on the ice for the three-game slate on Friday, January 9, including NHL picks for Kings vs. Jets, Capitals vs. Blackhawks, and Blues vs. Mammoth.
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