NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Monday, December 2:
We have just three games on the Monday NHL card but it’s a night where I like two of the “Dogs” to bark loudly. I will break down why both Chicago and Utah HC are in a good spot to come away with victories. Enjoy the night on ice. Here are tonight’s NHL predictions.
New Jersey Devils (-130, 6.5) at NY Rangers
7:00 p.m. ET
For the first time in 14 years, the New Jersey Devils are the betting favorite versus the Rangers at MSG. The game opened with both teams (-110), and while each team is receiving 50% of the bets, the Devils are taking in 60% of the money, driving this line in their favor.
The Rangers swept the four games last season from New Jersey, but this is not the same Devils team from last season. New Jersey comes into tonight’s game winners of six of their last nine games, while the Rangers did snap a five-game losing streak on Saturday, defeating the Canadiens 4-3. Yes, the Rangers ended the losing streak, but it was a struggle to beat a Canadiens team that sits 31 out of 32 teams in the point standings. Will Cuylle has been one of the more consistent Ranger players of late, with five points on his current four-game point streak. Vincent Trocheck scored on Saturday, giving him goals in back-to-back games. Trocheck has 24 points in 27 career games versus the Devils.
Jack Hughes leads New Jersey with 21 assists this season and has 20 points in 20 games against the Rangers.
NHL Predictions: New Jersey Devils ML (-130) – 2 units
Jack Hughes Over ½ assist (-110) – ½ unit
Stefan Noesen Over ½ assist (+210) – ½ unit
Vincent Trocheck Over ½ assist (+150) – ½ unit
Alexis Lafreniere Over ½ assist (+185) – ½ unit
Chicago Blackhawks at Toronto Maple Leafs (-395, 6)
7:30 p.m. ET
The Blackhawks come to Toronto on the second half of a back-to-back after losing Sunday at home to Columbus 6-3. Chicago has just three wins in their last 11 games, but those three wins have come against three of the league’s best: Minnesota, Florida and Dallas. This season, the Blackhawks are 1-4 on the front end of the back-to-back but 2-2 on the back end. With Petr Mrazek getting the start on Sunday, Chicago will turn to Arvid Soderblom tonight against the Maple Leafs. Soderblom won both his starts last season against the Maple Leafs giving up just four goals on seventy-three shots in the two games (1.93 GAA, .945 save percentage). The Hawks have won three straight and six of nine over the Maple Leafs. Chicago’s Ryan Donato is on a three-game point streak and has points in nine of the Blackhawks’ last 12 road games.
The Leafs return home to chilly Toronto after a pair of games in the sunshine state. Toronto was dominated by the Florida Panthers, losing 5-1 and then rebounded with a 5-3 win over Tampa on Saturday night as Auston Matthews had a pair of assists in his return to the lineup. It’s a big step down in competition for the Maple Leafs after a pair of games against two division rivals and Chicago being dead last in points in the NHL. Outside of William Nylander’s shots on goal prop, I am not seeing any value plays on any Toronto player. Willy has hit the four shots on goal mark in six of his last eight games.
NHL Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks ML (+310) – ½ unit
Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 (+130) – ½ unit
William Nylander over 3.5 SOG (-140) – 1 unit
Dallas Stars (-135, 6.5) at Utah HC
9:00 p.m. ET
The Stars are coming off a big 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, avenging an early season loss to the Jets in Winnipeg. Mason Marchment scored the game-winning goal with less than eight minutes to play to snap a 1-1 tie. Now, the Stars have a quick turnaround and travel to Utah without an opportunity to adjust to the high elevation. It’s not just back-to-back for Dallas. It’s three games in four days with travel. After knocking off two Central Division rivals (Colorado and Winnipeg) and the Kings and Vegas upcoming, this is a potential “trap” game for Dallas. The Stars will likely turn to Casey DeSmith in goal. DeSmith was 0-3 in November and was lit up in his last start against the Blackhawks, giving up six goals. The Stars have been one of the league’s best home teams (10-2-0) but have just five wins in 11 road games.
The Utah HC are coming off arguably their most impressive win of the season in a 6-0 whitewash of the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. Utah has traded wins and losses their past six games and will look to put together consecutive wins since starting the season, 3-0. Fast stars at home have been one of the trademarks of Utah HC. They are 6-3-1 on the first period money line, and the Over 1.5 goals have cashed in seven of their 10 home games. It is worth noting that Dallas is just 4-4-2 in the first period on the road. Utah has scored four or more goals in eight of their 10 wins; the Stars have given up four or more goals in seven of their eight losses.
NHL Predictions: Utah HC ML (+114) – 1 unit
Utah HC 1st period ML (-110) – 1 unit
Utah HC/Dallas Stars 1st period Over 1.5 (-140) – 1 unit
Utah HC TT Over 3.5 (+150) – 1 unit
