NHL January 14, 2026

Here's a matchup that looks straightforward on paper but gets interesting when you dig into the numbers. The Devils (23-21-2) are home favorites after knocking off Minnesota 5-2 in their last outing, but they've been one of the league's most frustrating teams to back this season. New Jersey ranks dead last in the NHL in offense at just 2.6 goals per game - that's brutal for a team with the talent they have. Jesper Bratt has been doing everything he can with 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points, but he needs more help from a supporting cast that's been inconsistent at best.

Seattle rolls into Newark riding a wave of confidence after their 4-2 victory over the Rangers, and here's the number that should make you sit up: the Kraken are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. That's not a fluke - this team has figured something out. They rank 4th in the league in goals against at 2.8 per game, and Joey Daccord has been solid between the pipes with a 12-10-5 record, .901 save percentage, and 2.8 GAA. Jordan Eberle leads the offense with 16 goals and 29 points, but it's the team defense that's carrying them right now.

The injury situation favors Seattle slightly here. The Devils are missing Stefan Noesen (knee), Marc McLaughlin (undisclosed), and Zack MacEwen (ACL), while the Kraken are without Matt Murray (lower body) and Brandon Montour (hand). Neither team is at full strength, but Seattle's depth has allowed them to weather their injuries better. The low total at 5.5 makes sense given both teams' defensive capabilities - Seattle's 4th-ranked defense against New Jersey's league-worst offense sets up for a tight, grinding affair.

Getting Seattle at +140 on the road against a struggling Devils team feels like value. The Kraken have been one of the league's best road teams lately, and New Jersey's offensive woes at home are well-documented. This isn't a spot to lay big money on the favorite - the Devils' inability to score makes the puck line at -192 especially unappealing. Look for a 3-2 type game where the Kraken's defensive structure frustrates the home crowd.

National TV hockey on TNT brings us a sneaky-fun matchup between two teams that love to put the puck in the net. Buffalo (24-16-4) has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season, sitting comfortably in the playoff picture with a dominant 14-6-2 record at KeyBank Center. The Sabres are finally giving their long-suffering fanbase something to cheer about, and Tage Thompson is leading the charge with 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points. When Thompson is locked in, Buffalo is a nightmare matchup for anyone.

Philadelphia (22-14-8) has been quietly solid on the road this season, posting a respectable 10-7-3 record away from Wells Fargo Center. Travis Konecny continues to be the engine that drives this offense with 14 goals and 24 assists, but the Flyers are more than a one-man show. They've been getting contributions throughout the lineup, which makes them dangerous even in hostile buildings. The last meeting between these teams went Buffalo's way, 5-3, but Philly showed they can hang in a track meet.

The total at 5.5 is the key number here, and both teams have been money on overs this season. Philadelphia has gone over 5.5 goals in 25 of their 44 games - that's nearly 57%. Buffalo has been even more prolific, hitting the over in 27 of 44 games. When these two get together, the scoreboard lights up. Don't be surprised if we see something in the 4-3 or 5-4 range by the time the final horn sounds.

Buffalo as a home favorite at -150 is reasonable given their home dominance and the head-to-head advantage. But Philly at +126 is a live dog here - they've proven they can score with anyone, and their road record suggests they won't be intimidated by the KeyBank Center atmosphere. This game is set up to be a shootout, and in a high-scoring game, anything can happen. The over at 5.5 looks like the sharpest play on the board.

This is essentially a pick'em at MSG, and that tells you everything you need to know about the state of the New York Rangers right now. The Blueshirts (20-21-6) have dropped four straight games and are sliding fast in the Metropolitan Division standings. For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations heading into the season, this is crisis mode territory. The talent is there - Artemi Panarin leads the way with a ridiculous 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points - but the collective effort hasn't matched the individual brilliance.

Ottawa (21-19-5) comes to Manhattan with something to prove after falling to the Rangers 4-2 in their last meeting. Tim Stutzle has been electric this season with 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points, establishing himself as one of the game's rising superstars. The Senators have the offensive firepower to exploit a Rangers team that's leaking goals at an alarming rate during this losing streak. When your home team is barely favored against a .500 road opponent, it's a massive red flag.

The total at 6.0 suggests oddsmakers expect goals, and recent Rangers games support that thesis. New York's defensive structure has completely collapsed during this four-game skid, and Igor Shesterkin can only do so much when the team in front of him is giving up quality chances at will. Ottawa's young, fast forwards should be able to create opportunities in transition against a Rangers team that's overthinking every play right now.

Here's the thing about the Rangers at home - MSG used to be one of the toughest buildings in hockey, but that mystique has faded this season. Getting Ottawa at -112 as a slight road favorite is interesting, but this feels like a game to stay away from or play the over. Neither team has shown the defensive consistency to trust in a tight spot. The over 6.0 looks appealing given New York's recent defensive meltdowns and Ottawa's ability to light the lamp.

The late-night TNT doubleheader closer brings us a Pacific Division heavyweight bout that could have playoff seeding implications. Vegas (21-11) sits atop the division and has been one of the NHL's most consistent teams this season, but they're walking into Crypto.com Arena with a M.A.S.H. unit of an injury list. Adin Hill, William Karlsson, Brayden McNabb, and Carter Hart are all sidelined - that's your starting goalie, a top-six forward, a key defenseman, and your backup netminder. The depth is being tested in a major way.

The Kings have their own injury concerns with Anze Kopitar and Trevor Moore both out of the lineup. Losing Kopitar is massive - he's still the heart and soul of this franchise even in the later stages of his career. Kevin Fiala has been carrying the offensive load with 16 goals and 15 assists, and Darcy Kuemper has been solid in net with a 12-9-7 record and .905 save percentage. LA needs to take advantage of Vegas's depleted roster.

This is as close to a true pick'em as you'll find in the NHL - Vegas at -111 and LA at -109 is essentially a coin flip in the eyes of oddsmakers. Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, both have playoff aspirations, and both know how important divisional games are in the second half of the season. The low total at 5.5 reflects the tight-checking nature of Pacific Division rivalries, where every goal feels like it takes maximum effort.

I actually love this spot for the Kings at home getting essentially even money against a Vegas team missing so many key pieces. The Golden Knights' organizational depth is impressive, but asking the call-ups to step in and beat a quality opponent on the road is a tall order. LA's home crowd will be fired up for a divisional showdown, and Fiala has the ability to take over a game single-handedly. The smart money might be on the home team to steal two points here.