Wednesday’s NHL slate features six games, with first puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET. Below, I’ll go over my favorite NHL player prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for Wednesday, January 21.
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 Wednesday 1/21/26
Brock Nelson Anytime Goalscorer (+155)
The 34-year-old is on pace for his first career 40-goal season, and he has netted eight goals across the Avalanche’s past eight outings since the new year began. Not only has Nelson seen first power play minutes, but he has also found success when playing at 5v5, ranking ninth in the NHL among skaters with at least 200 minutes of ice time in 5v5 goals per 60.
Tonight is a great spot for Nelson to net his 25th goal of the season. The Ducks rank last in 5v5 goals against per 60, eighth in penalty minutes per game, and 23rd in penalty kill percentage. He’ll have the opportunities at even strength, as well as on the power play, and besides, this is Colorado we are talking about –– goals won’t be hard to come by with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas moving the puck around.
John Carlson 1+ Point (-115)
The Capitals are just 3-6-1 since the start of the new year, but Carlson has led the team in points (9) during that span. Among defensemen with at least 100 minutes of ice time, Carlson ranks eighth in points per 60 and sixth in 5v5 points per 60. Vancouver is the worst team in the NHL this season and will be without arguably its most talented piece in Thatcher Demko, who is still on Injured Reserve.
As a team, the Canucks rank 25th in 5v5 goals against per 60, and they’ve dropped 11 straight games. Vancouver allows the 27th-most points to opposing defensemen this season, and this will be a good get-right spot for both Carlson and Washington, with the club having lost each of its past three games.
