Thursday NHL Best Bets Jan. 15: Will Jets pull upset in Minnesota?

Will the Jets pull off the upset in Minnesota tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET? Will the Canucks and Blue Jackets combine for enough to get over the 6.5-goal threshold in Columbus at 7:00 p.m. ET? And is Montreal a safe bet in Buffalo where the Canadiens will take on the Sabres at 7:00 p.m. ET? Our Thursday NHL Best Bets Jan. 15 column offers selections for all three of these matchups.

NHL Best Bet: Canucks/Blue Jackets over 6.5

Pick: Over 6.5 goals (o6.5)

This total is juicy, and there are multiple reasons to expect fireworks:

• Offensive systems + defensive holes: Both Vancouver and Columbus have struggled defensively this year. Vancouver ranks near the bottom in goals against, and Columbus isn’t much better — setting up a game ripe for open play and transition scoring.

• Trend toward high totals: Historical matchups between these teams have produced plenty of offense (including a 13-goal outing in their last meeting).

• Injuries weaken defense: Both clubs have notable defensive absences. Vancouver is down key pieces including goaltender Thatcher Demko and other regulars, meaning backup and depth defenders get more ice time — often at the expense of structure. Columbus has also lost depth defenders and forwards to injury or day-to-day tags.

• Motivation for scoring: Vancouver needs goals to snap its slump, while Columbus likes to chase offensive chances. That dynamic naturally inflates shot volume and scoring chances.

All things considered, look for pace and mistakes that fuel a high-scoring affair — especially in the middle frames where both teams have been leakiest.

NHL Best Bet: Canadiens -122 (at Sabres)

Pick: Montreal Canadiens −122 moneyline

This isn’t a sexy underdog pick, but it’s grounded in recent form and roster production:

• Canadiens trending up: Montreal has been playing very well lately, winning a majority of recent games and putting up big offensive totals (including a 6-3 win over Vancouver).

• Balanced output: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Oliver Kapanen have all contributed consistently, giving Montreal depth scoring that can counter Buffalo’s firepower.

• Sabres are good but inconsistent away: Buffalo has been strong at home this season but isn’t immune to cold stretches. Montreal’s ability to score 3+ goals on most nights gives them a real chance to steal this one. Team stats show both squads average over three goals per game, underscoring the expectation for offense.

• Head-to-head familiarity: Montreal hasn’t dominated Buffalo historically, but this Canadiens squad with its confident attack and capable goalie play has shown it can grab tight road wins.

Taking Montreal on the moneyline at around −122 gives you a solid chance to beat the book — especially if Suzuki and Caufield get timely goals.

NHL Best Bet: Jets +123 (at Wild)

Pick: Winnipeg Jets +123

At first glance, this looks like a pure dog pick, but the context supports the value:

• Jets getting traction: Winnipeg enters this game on a multi-game win streak, showing signs of life offensively and confidence in close games.

• Skaters who can decide it: Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Gabe Vilardi are all capable of breaking games open. Jets offense has been more balanced recently, averaging near 3 goals per game.

• Wild unspectacular of late: Minnesota has lost multiple recent games and just got routed offensively in their last outing, which raises questions about their momentum.

• Value on the road: Jets at +123 offers clear value given how close these teams often play. Minnesota might be favorite on paper, but the Jets match well structurally when they turn up pace and pressure — especially if the Wild rotate goalies or show fatigue.

This pick is about value + timing. If the Jets get early goals and play a tight checking game, that +123 number looks generous.

Thursday NHL Best Bets Jan. 15

1. Canucks/Blue Jackets over 6.5

2. Montreal Canadiens -122
3. Winnipeg Jets +123

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