The NHL starts the new year in style. New Year's Day has 9 games scheduled with games starting in the early afternoon and being played until late at night on the West Coast. The highlight of the day is the Winter Classic which will be played at Target Field between the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues but with plenty of games scheduled, bettors will be looking for the best matchups that will lead to successful and profitable bets.

Columbus Blue Jackets (+140) Vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Blue Jackets stat line 15 wins in 29 games 3.17 goals per game 3.34 goals against per game
Hurricanes stat line 22 wins in 30 games 3.30 goals per game 2.07 goals against per game

The Hurricanes have looked like one of the best teams in the NHL and look poised to win the upcoming game. However, the Blue Jackets have a great roster that can find favorable matchups on both ends of the ice. The Blue Jackets should limit the Hurricanes potent offense with Zach Werenski, Jake Bean, and the rest of the defensive unit limiting the Hurricanes from finding quick shots on cross-ice passes while Elvis Merzlikins steps up in the net and makes plenty of big saves.

The Blue Jackets offense, meanwhile, will pile on the goals with Boone Jenner, Max Domi, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the odd-man rush while also establishing a str4ong offensive zone presence. Moreover, defensemen Zach Werenski and Adam Boqvist will help pick apart the Hurricanes defense with great shots on the net from the point.

The Blue Jackets will win the game and provide great odds in the process as Home Underdogs.

Also Consider: Over 6 - Both offenses have played great this season and look to pile on the goals in the upcoming game.

Under 5.5 - Chicago Blackhawks Vs. Nashville Predators

Blackhawks stat line 11 wins in 30 games 2.30 goals per game 3.23 goals against per game
Predators stat line 19 wins in 32 games 2.94 goals per game 2.72 goals against per game

The Blackhawks defense has struggled this season but has played significantly better since the first few games. As a result, the Blackhawks should limit the Predators' top-heavy forward unit with Seth Jones, Erik Gustafsson, and the rest of the defensive unit controlling the blue line and limiting the Predators from establishing an offensive zone presence while Marc-Andre Fleury has a great game in the net. The Predators meanwhile should eliminate the Blackhawks offense with Dante Fabbro, Mattias Ekholm, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while limiting shots on the net from the Blackhawks struggling offense. Moreover, Predators goaltender Juuse Saros looks to have a great game and blank the Blackhawks shots on the goal.

The Under will cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defenses.

Over 5.5 - St. Louis Blues Vs. Minnesota Wild

Blues stat line 18 wins in 32 games 3.38 goals per game 2.66 goals against per game
Wild stat line 19 wins in 30 games 3.63 goals per game 3.00 goals against per game

The Blues and Wild will meet outdoors for the game of the day. The two teams have talented defenses that can make this game a low-scoring one but expect both offenses to take control of this one. The Wild will find the back of the net throughout the game with Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the odd-man rush and creating quick scoring chances. In addition, Mathew Dumba and the Wild defensemen will find open shots from the blue line and help pick apart the Blues defense.

The Blues offense should also find the back of the net throughout the game with Jordan Kyrou, Brandon Saad, David Perron, and the rest of the forward unit creating open shots with quick passes in the offensive zone and finding opens skaters off of centering passes. Moreover, the Blues will find open shots from the point with defensemen Torey Krug and Justin Faulk opening up the offense.

The Over will cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses in control from the opening puck drop.

Also Consider: Blues (+110) - The Wild hope to win in front of their home fans but the Blues could pull off the upset and provide great odds in the process.

Vancouver Canucks (-105) Vs. Seattle Kraken

Canucks stat line 15 wins in 33 games 2.45 goals per game 2.76 goals against per game
Kraken stat line 10 wins in 32 games 2.81 goals per game 3.63 goals against per game

The Canucks lost their recent game, ending a seven-game winning streak, and hope to return to their winning ways. The Kraken have looked like an improved team in recent games but the Canucks can find favorable matchups on both ends on the ice. The Canucks look to find the back of the net throughout the game with JT Miller, Bo Horvat, and the rest of the forward unit creating scoring chances on the wing while Quinn Hughes creates scoring opportunities from the point.

The Canucks defense meanwhile, will eliminate and potentially shut out the Kraken offense with Quinn Hughes, Tucker Poolman, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the neutral zone to limit the Kraken on the odd-man rush while also forcing difficult shots on the net. Additionally, Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko has looked remarkable in the net recently and looks to blank the Kraken initial shots on the goal and eliminate second-chance shots.

The Canucks will win the game and continue their hot streak.

Also Consider: Under 5.5 - Both offenses have struggled, and the Canucks and Kraken defenses should take advantage and make this game a low-scoring one.

Under 5.5 - Philadelphia Flyers Vs. Los Angeles Kings

Flyers stat line 13 wins in 31 games 2.65 goals per game 3.13 goals against per game
Kings stat line 15 wins in 32 games 2.59 goals per game 2.66 goals against per game

The Flyers continue their west coast road trip with a matchup against the Kings. Both teams have proven they can run up the score but are both led by their defenses and look to make this game a low-scoring one. The Flyers will limit the Kings offense with Travis Sanheim, Ivan Provorov, and the rest of the defensive unit limiting passing lanes in the defensive zone while also creating difficult shots on the net, allowing Carter Hart to step up and make plenty of easy saves in goal. The Kings, meanwhile, should eliminate the Flyers offense with Matt Roy, Michael Anderson, Tobias Bjornfot, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone alike while Jonathan Quick blanks the Flyers shots on the goal and covers up loose pucks in front of the net.

The Under will cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defenses.