NHL Best Bets for Monday January 12 2026
The NHL season is putting a ton of games in before the Olympics break and that means plenty of NHL games to pick from. To help you find some potential winning games we have our best bets for the NHL on Monday January 12, 2026. For more great information make sure you check out our full free NHL picks.
Panthers vs Sabres
Florida has played poorly in their last 5 games with a 2-3-0 mark. The Panthers are also coming in with some injury question marks as Brad Marchand, the leading scorer is a game time decision. Buffalo for their part looked very impressive in the latest run posting a 4-1-0 mark. Now, Buffalo does have a lone major injury to Alex Lyon, the leader in net. However, the Sabres have played decent with goalie depth and secures the win in this game.
Hurricanes vs Red Wings
Carolina and Detroit are a couple of the best teams in the NHL and are facing each other in this game here.The Hurricanes are 12-6-2 on the road and Detroit is 15-8-1 at home. The total in this game is sitting at only 5.5, which I think is a little low. Both teams score over 3.10 on average on the year and the defenses for both of these teams are giving up 3 goals per game. That leads me to thinking that the over 5.5 is a little low which makes the over a strong choice for us.
Kraken vs Rangers
The Kraken and Rangers are both a couple of teams that are coming to this game here struggling in their recent games. The Kraken, though, are coming off of losses against some of the better teams in the league, like Carolina. The Rangers for their part are coming off of a horrible showing in their last game against the Bruins with a final score of 10-2. The lack of defense in their last 5 games for the Rangers who have allowed 25 games over 5 games makes it easier for us to see the Kraken getting the win.
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Lightning vs Flyers
Philadelphia is facing a Tampa Bay team that has been playing good in their last few games as Tampa has not lost in their lasts 5 games. The Flyers for their part have only managed to post a 2-2-1 mark in their last 5 games. The Lightning have also managed to control the season series so far in dominating fashion and it has made it very difficult for me to think that the Flyers are going to magically pick up the win in this game here.
Canucks vs Canadiens
Vancouver has struggled quite a bit this season and are now sitting on a 16-23-5 record. The Canadiens for their part are sitting on a 25-14-6 record. The Canucks have dropped their last 5 games in a row, but Montreal is sitting on a 3-2-0 record in the last 5 game. The Canadiens are playing better on the offense with 3.31 goals per game versus the 2.66 from the Canucks. The defense for the Canadiens is better as well giving up only 3.20 goals per game versus the 3.57 from Vancouver. Look for the Canadiens to rely on their better and more consistent play on the ice to secure the win in this game.
Devils vs Wild
New Jersey is a team that is searching for an offensive identity coming into this game here. The Devils have ended up getting only 2.55 goals per game scored and the defense is giving up 3.11 goals per game. Minnesota has ended up getting a total of 3.11 goals per game scored, but the defense for Minnesota has been playing great giving up only 2.65 goals per game. With that being the case we are backing the Wild to get the win in this game here.
Oilers vs Blackhawks
Edmonton on the year has become the Connor McDavid show on the year and it is definitely one of the highlights of the year as McDavid has 78 points total with 30 goals and 48 assists. The Blackhawks have become the Bedard show with 46 points and 19 goals and 27 assists, but Bedard has been injured recently and could have limited time on the ice, even without being on the injury report. Still, we are looking at the total in this game which is set at 6.5 goals and the Oilers have covered that on the over in all their last 5 games and the Blackhawks have covered it in only one time. Still, we like the total to go on the over in this game here.
Maple Leafs vs Avalanche
This is a game that could be interesting as the offense for Colorado is amazing with 4.05 goals per game, the Avalanche defense is just as good giving up only 2.16 goals per game. The Toronto offense is coming in playing good for a regular team with a total of 3.36 goals per game, but the defense is about a middle of the pack to lower end giving up 3.16 goals per game. With this being a road game in Colorado we are going to look for the Avalanche offense to get the win in the game here rather easily as the offense is able to overpower the Maple Leafs defense.
Stars vs Kings
The Kings are heading to this game here with some close wins in their last 5 games, but the Kings have only posted a 3-1-1 mark in their last 5. The Dallas Stars are a team that have struggled on the year and have not looked impressive at all in their last 5 games, granted some of that is from injuries, but still the Stars have struggled and that will continue in this game here as I see the Kings getting the win on the ice.
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