NHL bets: Time to get back to work on the ice

Let's welcome the NHL back into our lives with a few simple plays built around the best-looking spots coming through. We're still thinking short and sweet is best this week, and we're hoping that keeping our looks high-level is the key to hitting on some hockey on hump day.

Three NHL plays fresh off the holiday break

Auston Matthews goal (-110 DraftKings)

Toronto's Auston Matthews is quite simply on an unbelievable run, and while there is a chance that the holiday break slows his momentum, it's still best to just keep jumping on the ride until something changes.

Matthews now has a goal in seven straight games and 14 goals in his last nine. Keep it rolling!

Jeff Skinner 4+ shots (+175 FanDuel)

The Buffalo Sabres look to be in a good spot for shots on goal tonight, as Boston allowed north of 37 shots per game on the road over the past month.

In particular, the Bruins have been vulnerable to shots from the Left Wing position, allowing the most in the league over the past 10 games, and that's where Jeff Skinner comes in. Skinner is averaging 4.2 shots/game at home this season, going for 4+ in 11 of 15 and seven of his last eight.

In two meetings with Boston this year, Skinner has finished with four and five SOG.

New York Islanders over 3.5 goals (+126 FanDuel)

The Islanders seem to be in a good spot for goals. They're averaging 3.6 per game at home over the last month while Pittsburgh has handed out 3.5 per game on the road in the same span. Factor in that the Islanders' power play has picked up steam and the Penguins' penalty kill has been a disaster, and we expect scoring from the home team tonight.

The Islanders have scored 4+ goals in four straight and five of their past six against Pittsburgh.

In the news ...

Pistons set NBA single-season record with 27 consecutive losses — It has been just about two calendar months since the Detroit Pistons last won a game. The Pistons lost to Brooklyn last night, their 27th consecutive loss, marking a new single-season record for longest losing streak. Philadelphia owns the longest losing streak in the NBA, carrying over a 28-game losing streak from 2014-15 to the 2015-16 season. Detroit will have a chance to tie that tomorrow in Boston, which feels like a near certainty.

Minnesota Vikings lose two key contributors, seriously impacting their playoff hopes — Head coach Kevin O'Connell has made it official. Both tight end T.J. Hockenson and linebacker D.J. Wonnum have been put on season-ending IR for Minnesota. Both players are key cogs for their respective units, and it may just be too much for the Vikings to overcome at this point. The Vikings are 7-8 and just a game behind both the Rams and Seahawks, and tied with the Falcons, Packers and Saints. They end the season with two tough games against Green Bay and Detroit, and it's extremely hard to see them making the playoffs this shorthanded. Sportsbooks agree, with Minnesota priced at +350 to make the playoffs. Both Los Angeles (-245) and Seattle (-330) are the heavy favorites to maintain their lead in the NFC wild-card race.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll, the guy who won $8K on a $20 NFL parlay. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.