Free NHL Picks For Today, Wednesday 1/8/2025

We have a slower day in the NHL with four games on tap, and here you can read the NHL Picks for Wednesday 1/8/2025.

Colorado Avalanche vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction 01/08/25 NHL Picks

Avalanche at Blackhawks at 7:30 PM ET

In their most recent match, the Avalanche competed against the Florida Panthers and achieved a 3-1 victory. They netted two goals in the third period, which proved sufficient for their win. Devon Toews delivered an impressive performance, contributing two goals and one assist. Mackenzie Blackwood excelled in goal, successfully stopping 26 of the 27 shots he encountered. Currently, the Avalanche are averaging 3.39 goals per game, while their defense concedes an average of 3.17 goals. The team’s offense is ranked fifth in the league, whereas their defense holds the 22nd position.

The Blackhawks faced the New York Rangers in their latest game, suffering a loss with a final score of 6-2. Goaltender Avid Soderborm was unable to perform adequately, stopping 28 of the 34 shots he encountered. This season, the Blackhawks have recorded an average of 2.53 goals per game, while their defense concedes an average of 3.43 goals. The team’s offensive performance is ranked 31st in the league, whereas their defensive efforts are ranked 28th.

The Pick:

This season, the Blackhawks’ defense has been notably ineffective, conceding an average of 3.43 goals per game, which will likely hinder their performance in this contest. On the offensive side, the Blackhawks are averaging just 2.53 goals per game, indicating a struggle to produce any significant scoring. It is anticipated that the Avalanche will be in a dominant position by the second period. Consequently, backing the Avalanche on the puck line appears to be a smart choice.

Vancouver Canucks vs Washington Capitals Prediction 2025/01/08 NHL Picks

Canucks at Capitals at 7:30 PM ET

The Vancouver Canucks enter this matchup seeking to recover from a recent 5-4 overtime defeat against the Montreal Canadiens, bringing their season record to 18 wins, 12 losses, and 9 overtime losses. Quinn Hughes leads the team with 44 points, comprising 8 goals and 36 assists. J.T. Miller contributes 29 points, including 8 goals and 21 assists. Brock Boeser has accumulated 26 points with 14 goals and 12 assists, while Conor Garland also has 29 points, featuring 10 goals and 19 assists. Elias Pettersson has recorded 28 points, consisting of 10 goals and 18 assists, and Jake DeBrusk has 29 points with 17 goals and 12 assists. In goal, Kevin Lankinen holds a record of 15 wins, 7 losses, and 5 overtime losses, with a goals-against average of 2.63 and a save percentage of .904. Arturs Silovs has a record of 1 win, 4 losses, and 1 overtime loss, with a 4.11 GAA and an .847 save percentage. Additionally, Thatcher Demko has a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, and 3 overtime losses, with a 3.34 GAA and a .881 save percentage this season.

The Washington Capitals approach this contest aiming to recover from a narrow 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres, which has adjusted their overall record to 26-10-4 for the season. Leading the team in scoring is Dylan Strome, who has accumulated 45 points, including 12 goals and a team-high 33 assists. Alex Ovechkin contributes significantly with 30 points, featuring 19 goals and 11 assists, while Connor McMichael adds 31 points, comprised of 17 goals and 14 assists. Furthermore, Aliaksei Protas has achieved 35 points, with 18 goals and 17 assists, and Tom Wilson has recorded 32 points. John Carlson has also been effective, contributing 26 points, including 23 assists, while Wilson has netted 18 goals and provided 14 assists. Pierre-Luc Dubois has tallied 31 points, primarily from 26 assists, and Jakob Chychrun has added 28 points, consisting of 11 goals and 17 assists this year. In goal, Logan Thompson boasts a record of 16-2-2, with a 2.39 GAA and a .916 save percentage, while Charlie Lindgren holds a record of 10-8-2, with a 2.70 GAA and a .900 save percentage.

The Pick:

I think that Washington is the stronger team in this encounter, even though the Capitals have not demonstrated the most consistent form lately, alternating between victories and defeats in their previous eight games. On the other hand, the Canucks have been experiencing persistent difficulties over the last month and have not maintained the same level of performance on the road as they did earlier in the season. I anticipate that the Capitals will prevail at home, leading me to favor Washington in this matchup.

Florida Panthers vs Utah Hockey Club Prediction 1/8/25 NHL Picks

Panthers at Utah at 10 PM ET

The Florida Panthers experienced a defeat against the Avalanche but secured a victory over the Penguins. Currently, the Panthers are averaging 3.24 goals per game and converting 2.4 percent of their power play chances. Sam Reinhart is the team’s leading scorer with 22 goals, while Aleksander Barkov contributes with 24 assists, and Carter Verhaeghe has recorded 120 shots on goal. In terms of goaltending, Sergei Bobrovsky has permitted 74 goals on 748 shots, whereas Spencer Knight has allowed 40 goals on 368 shots faced.

The Utah Hockey Club suffered a defeat against the Stars but managed to beat the Flames. The team is averaging 2.9 goals per game and has a power play success rate of 22.2 percent. Dylan Guenther stands out as the top scorer with 16 goals, while Clayton Keller has accumulated 25 assists, and Nick Schmaltz has recorded 85 shots on goal. In goal, Connor Ingram has given up 43 goals from 334 shots, while Karel Vejmelka has allowed 57 goals from 663 shots faced.

The Pick:

The Utah Hockey Club is currently facing challenges, having lost six of their last seven games, largely attributed to an offense that is unable to find its rhythm. Their performance at home has not been impressive this season, with merely five of their 17 wins occurring on their home turf. Although the Panthers have had their share of ups and downs throughout the season, it is clear that these teams are not on equal footing. One could argue that the odds should be more favorable for the visiting team. Despite the potential for a trap, I cannot resist the appeal of the Panthers at this price, especially in light of Utah’s struggles at home.

Calgary Flames vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction 1/8/25 NHL Picks

Flames at Kings at 10:30 PM ET

This season, the Flames have a record of 18-14-7 after suffering a 4-1 defeat against Nashville in their most recent match. Calgary reduced the score to 2-1 in the second period; however, they allowed two more goals in the third period, leading to their loss. The Flames outperformed Nashville in shots, totaling 32 compared to 28, secured 52.9% of face-offs, and failed to convert on three power play chances. Backlund scored the only goal for Calgary, while Wolf made 24 saves on 27 shots.

This season, the Los Angeles Kings have achieved a record of 23-10-5 after their latest triumph against the Tampa Bay Lightning, winning the game 2-1. The Kings found themselves down 1-0 early in the first period but rallied to score the last two goals, clinching the victory. Despite being outshot 34-21, they managed to win 50.8% of face-offs and did not convert on their only power play chance. The goals for Los Angeles came from Kempe and Anderson, with Kuemper successfully stopping 33 of the 34 shots directed at him.

The Pick:

Currently, the Flames are scoring an average of 2.62 goals per game, with a penalty kill percentage of 70.4%. Although Calgary has been one of the top-performing home teams in the NHL, their performance away from home raises concerns, especially in light of the LA team’s recent play. Therefore, backing the Kings at -1.5 is recommended.