NHL expert picks today: Thursday's best bets highlight Lightning vs. Blackhawks play [1/22/2026]

Updated: Jan 22, 2026, 8:33 PM ET | First published: Jan 22, 2026, 12:02 AM ET

Written by Dave Garofolo, Content Producer

Get NHL expert picks and best bets for Thursday, January 22, 2026.

NHL Best Bets. — These NHL betting picks for January 22, 2026, are based on the latest odds and probabilities for Thursday's games.

Today’s NHL expert picks for January 22, 2026 are here, with Lightning vs. Blackhawks among the top plays identified by our model across Thursday’s NHL play.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, scanning the latest hockey odds to discover genuine betting edges. The result? Data-backed picks that help Dimers Pro members make smarter decisions.

List of NHL expert picks tonight [1/22, updated 8:33PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s best hockey bets, ranked by edge for Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Blackhawks ML (+215)

Edge: 2.1%
Probability: 33.8%
Matchup: Lightning vs. Blackhawks (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has identified value on Blackhawks to defeat Lightning at +215 odds. A 33.8% probability produces an edge of 2.1%, making this the strongest play for today's NHL slate.

NHL best bets summary: Thursday, 1/22/2026

As of 8:33PM ET, here is our top NHL bet by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Lightning vs. Blackhawks	Blackhawks ML	+215 @ DraftKings	2.1%	33.8%

List of upcoming NHL games to bet on [1/22/2026]

Penguins vs. Oilers (9:00PM ET, Thursday)
Red Wings vs. Wild (9:30PM ET, Thursday)
Golden Knights vs. Maple Leafs (7:00PM ET, Friday)
Lightning vs. Blackhawks (7:00PM ET, Friday)
Blues vs. Stars (8:00PM ET, Friday)

How to use NHL on Dimers

Get a quick walkthrough of the Dimers NHL hub. Learn how to understand projections, odds, and matchup data to inform your hockey betting decisions.

Conclusion

Our NHL best bets are locked and loaded for January 22, 2026, featuring plays such as Blackhawks ML. Powered by advanced simulations, these picks are here to boost your betting game.

This article, enhanced by AI and automation, aims to deliver accurate NHL insights quickly, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from current data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

All odds and probabilities in this article are correct and accurate at the time of publication.

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Written by

Dave Garofolo

Content Producer

Dave Garofolo uses sophisticated AI-driven analytics to make predictions and evaluate player performances in the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAAM, and PGA TOUR tournaments, crafting insightful game and prop previews.

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