The NHL returns with a light five-game slate on Friday night, with first puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET. The Sharks will be the only team operating on zero days’ rest, having played in Washington, D.C. against the Capitals last night.
Below, I’ll go over my favorite NHL player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday, January 16.
For up-to-date NHL betting information and data, check out both the DraftKings Sportsbook betting splits page and the DraftKings Sportsbook player props page!
Best NHL props for Friday 1/16/26
Macklin Celebrini 4+ Shots on Goal (-120)
Celebrini has averaged 9.1 shot attempts per game across San Jose’s last 10 games, and he draws a sneaky good matchup against the Red Wings tonight. While Detroit’s goaltending has been top-notch in this same 10-game span, it has also allowed the third-most shots on goal per game, and I’d expect Celebrini to take advantage of that. The Sharks’ rest disadvantage certainly worries me slightly, but Celebrini has still cleared 4+ SOG in three of his past four games with zero days’ rest. The 19-year-old center has cleared this line rather easily in seven of the past 10 games, and he ranks seventh in the NHL in shot attempts per 60 during this span.
Brandon Hagel Anytime Goalscorer (+165)
Among skaters with at least 200 minutes of ice time, Hagel ranks 10th in the NHL in 5v5 goals per 60, and he has found the back of the net in four of the past five games. With Brayden Point labeled week-to-week, more of the goal-scoring burden falls on Hagel’s shoulders, especially since he plays on the second line, not alongside either Nikita Kucherov or Jake Guentzel. The Blues are one of the best possible matchups for this red-hot Lightning team that has won 11 straight games. Tampa Bay ranks second in 5v5 goals per 60, while St. Louis ranks fourth in 5v5 goals against per 60.
Nathan MacKinnon Anytime Goalscorer (-130)
The odds are already a bit juiced, but for good reason, as MacKinnon leads the NHL in goals with 36 through 45 games. Among skaters with at least 200 minutes of ice time, MacKinnon ranks second in the NHL in 5v5 goals per 60, with that ranking increasing to first across all situations. Nashville’s goaltending is the definition of average, with both Juuse Saros and Justus Annunen ranking 58th and 59th, respectively, in goals saved above expected. As a team, the Predators have allowed the seventh-most goals per game and the sixth-most when playing on the road. Colorado has averaged a whopping 4.59 goals per game at home this season, and MacKinnon has netted at least one goal in 13 of 22 home games.
