NHL best bets and expert picks
After back-to-back 2-0 nights, I’m feeling pretty good heading into a big night in the NHL with 13 games across the board.
Let’s take a look.
NHL Odds | NHL Betting Splits | NHL Matchups | More NHL Picks
San Jose at Detroit (-298, 6.5)
December has gotten off to a crazy start for the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have a 2-1-0 record and have averaged 5.33 goals per game in that span. Prior to these three games, the Sharks had the worst offense in the NHL, but since the start of the month, they currently have the second-highest scoring offense in the league.
The Detroit Red Wings aren’t too far behind them. Detroit is 2-0-0 and is averaging 5.00 goals per game thus far this month. Tonight, they add another offensive weapon to their lineup. Patrick Kane is making his debut as a Red Wing, and it appears that he will be on a line with his former teammate in Chicago, Alex DeBrincat. The Red Wings offense was already electric as is, but now adding Kane to the lineup should give them an even bigger boost.
Detroit and San Jose have each scored a minimum of five goals in their last three games, and their blue lines haven’t necessarily been shut down. Sticking in the month of December, the Sharks are giving up 4.33 goals against per game, and the Red Wings are allowing 3.50 goals against each contest.
Another thing that both teams have in common is their success on the power play, they’re each scoring at 25% this month.
This game should have a ton of offense, I’m expecting to see a lot of scoring.
Bet: Over 6.5 -115 (play to -130)
Anaheim at Chicago (-105, 6.5)
Both the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks have been struggling mightily as of late. In each team’s last ten games, the Ducks have gone 1-9-0, while the Blackhawks have gone 2-7-1. Even if these teams aren’t the most exciting in the league, this matchup has a ton of hype because it will be the first time that the first and second-overall picks from the 2023 NHL Draft will be playing against one another.
Connor Bedard has been as advertised in his rookie season. Bedard has 11 goals and nine assists in 24 games for s total of 20 points. Leo Carlsson hasn’t played in as many games as Bedard, but his success has been somewhat similar as he has tallied eight goals with five assists for 13 points in 17 games.
Anaheim and Chicago have had relatively similar seasons to this point. The Ducks might have had the better start, but they have come back down to earth as of late. Anaheim is 10-15-0, scoring 2.72 goals per game and allowing 3.48 goals against per game. The Blackhawks are 7-16-1, scoring 2.46 goals per game and allowing 3.67 goals against each contest.
An area that the Ducks have an edge over Chicago is special teams. Anaheim is scoring at a 22.2% rate on the power play and is killing off 80% of their penalties. Chicago is only scoring at a 10.7% rate on their man-advantage and has a 74.4% success rate on the kill.
Special teams will come up big in this game and I just happen to think that the Ducks are the better overall team. I’m rocking with Anaheim tonight.
Bet: Anaheim Ducks ML -115 (play to -130)
Philadelphia at Arizona (-112, 6)
The Arizona Coyotes might be the most underrated wagon in the entire NHL right now. This team is on a five-game winning streak, and it’s a unique one at that. All five teams that the Coyotes have beaten on this streak happen to be the last five defending Stanley Cup Champions. They beat the Golden Knights 2-0, the Lightning 3-1, the Avalanche 4-3 in overtime, the Blues 4-1 and the Capitals 6-0 in their most recent game.
Tonight’s matchup is going to be their fifth straight game on home ice, and the Mullett Ice Arena has been rocking as of late. During this streak, the Coyotes are averaging 3.80 goals per game and only allowing one goal against each contest. Their special teams have been even more impressive, as they’re scoring at 30.8% on the power play and have an 88.2% penalty kill.
The Philadelphia Flyers have been playing good hockey as well as of late, skating to a 3-1-1 record in their last five games, but their offense hasn’t been anywhere near as good as the Coyotes. The Flyers are scoring the second-lowest goals in the league in this span, only putting home 1.80 goals per game in that span.
Connor Ingram hasn’t been talked about nearly enough. He is skating to an 11-3-0 record with a .930 save percentage and a 2.23 goals against average. He also has the league’s second-best goals saved above expected at a +12.2 rating.
Everything is going right for the Coyotes, and I am going to ride the hot desert dogs.
Bet: Arizona Coyotes ML -112 (play to -125)
