NHL Best Bets (1/29/23): Expert Predictions For Tonight’s Games

With the NHL All-Star break almost here, there’s a single matchup on tonight’s pro hockey schedule. Here’s Anthony Elio’s best bet for the 1/29/24 showdown between the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators.

Nashville Predators vs. Ottawa Senators

There’s only one game on the NHL schedule tonight, and it’s not exactly a clash of the titans. The Nashville Predators, currently 5th in the Central Division, will travel to take on the Ottawa Senators, who are last in the Atlantic Division.

The Predators are led by Filip Forsberg with 23 goals to go with 50 total points. Nashville’s top line has been productive overall, with Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly, and Gustav Nyquist combining for 52 goals. Defenseman Roman Josi leads the Preds with 32 assists this season to go along with 10 goals.

Tim Stutzle leads the Ottawa Senators with 45 points on the season, followed by Claude Giroux with 41 points. Brady Tkachuk has recorded a team-best 20 goals on the year.

Nashville has been middle of the road in terms of defense, allowing 3.10 goals per game. But the Senators have seriously struggled in terms of keeping pucks out of the net, allowing 3.67 goals per game. Only the Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks have allowed more goals this year.

The Predators definitely have an edge when it comes to goaltending. The team is projected to start Juuse Saros in goal, who is currently 19-18-1 with a 2.91 GAA and .904 save percentage. Ottawa, on the other hand is likely to start Mads Sogaard, who has a 4.55 GAA and .841 save percentage. Sogaard got off to a rough start this year with 6 goals allowed against the Colorado Avalanche, posting a .818 save percentage on the night.

There are a few trends that favor Nashville in this matchup. The team is currently on a 12-5 run against Eastern Conference teams. Additionally, the Predators have owned this interconference series, winning 4 of the last 5 matchups. The Senators also haven’t been playing their best hockey at home this season, with the team on a 1-4 streak at Canadian Tire Centre.

The Senators could use a win tonight for some momentum before the All-Star Break. However, Nashville has the goaltending edge and has shown more defensively this season. It’s not a slam dunk to wager on the Predators this year, but there’s some value on the moneyline in this matchup.

Best Bet: Nashville Predators Moneyline

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