Last Updated on January 16, 2026 2:08 pm by Anthony Rome
Friday’s NHL slate presents an intriguing mix of offensive volatility and matchup dynamics. We dive into three high-value plays — a moneyline underdog +142, and two totals plays that target games likely to go over their goal lines. Read on for our Friday NHL Best Bets Jan. 16 column for our suggestions.
NHL Best Bet: Panthers +142 (at Hurricanes)
Why this has plus-odds value
• Head-to-head trend: Florida has had Carolina’s number this season. The Panthers have already beaten the Canes twice in regular-season meetings, including a 4-3 shootout win and a 5-2 victory where they erased multi-goal deficits. That familiarity and confidence matters on a Friday road brawl.
• Injury context: Carolina’s defensive corps has been inconsistent, and while veteran Jaccob Slavin should be back from IR (good for Carolina’s blueline), the Canes have still sputtered lately and dropped their last two games.
• Panthers adversity and bounce: Florida’s recent form (5-4-1 last 10) shows resilience, and Sam Reinhart is driving their offense with ~45 points in 45 games. The Cats have battled through offensive injuries and still generated offense.
• Goaltender matchup: Sergei Bobrovsky hasn’t been elite statistically this season (.881 so far), but his career success on this ice and against Carolina can’t be ignored — and at +142, that’s strong betting value.
Play: Florida Panthers +142 ML
Best case scenario: Florida strikes early, keeps pace with Carolina’s transition game, and Bobrovsky makes timely saves.
Upside: If Carolina loses their lead or allows early goals again, this moneyline bet pays handsomely.
NHL Best Bet: Sharks/Red Wings over 6.5
Expect offensive openings — and defensive cracks
• Scoring rates lining up: Detroit scores ~3.06 goals per game and concedes ~3.04, while San Jose has posted ~3.13 goals per game but gives up ~3.54. That combination equates to a projected 6.17 goals per night — right above the 6.5 line and trending toward over.
• Recent form suggests goal fest: Sharks games have historically trended over 6.5 more often, and Detroit’s home scoring environment (6.4 goals/game at Little Caesars Arena) supports a higher total.
• Trend data: San Jose, despite being underdogs, has had offensive outbursts (including a 7-2 loss to Vegas with 2 goals) and Detroit’s games haven’t been tight, low-scoring slugfests lately.
• Goaltending projection: Both goalies here — Sharks’ Alex Nedeljkovic/Askarov tandem and Detroit’s Ville Husso/John Gibson situation — are solid but not elite, especially behind defenses that allow high volume and quality chances.
Play: Over 6.5 goals (Sharks vs. Red Wings)
Betting angle: Lean overweight here, expecting back-and-forth scoring and limited shutdown defense from both sides.
NHL Best Bet: Ducks/Kings over 6
Late puck drops in a Pacific offensive tilt
• Recent trendlines: Both Anaheim and LA have shown they can light up the scoreboard. The Ducks have had offensive spurts (e.g., recent 5-3 loss where they still scored 3 goals) and the Kings frequently tilt toward open, high-tempo games.
• Motivation: LA’s Pacific Division positioning gives them incentive to push early offense on home ice, while Anaheim’s youthful scoring group (including threats like Troy Terry and Leo Carlsson pushing play) could keep pace.
• Matchup history & context: Past Ducks–Kings games often bypass defensive struggles and offer up quick counters; public models list this total at 6.0 — a line that fits the tempo expected from both benches on a Friday night.
Play: Over 6 goals (Ducks vs. Kings)
Scoring drivers: Expect contributions from top lines on both squads, power-play conversions, and potential goalie bounce unfavorables.
Friday NHL Best Bets Jan. 16
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Florida Panthers +142
- Sharks/Red Wings over 6.5
- Ducks/Kings over 6
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