There is a five-game NHL schedule on the second day back from the Christmas break. Let’s dive in and see which bets are going to make the most money, including a scuffling Devils team looking to take advantage of the NHL’s best club in a vulnerable spot. For more NHL odds, best bets and parlays be sure to check out OddsShopper.
Best NHL Bets Tonight and NHL Odds
Odds via FanDuel
Montreal Canadiens Alternate Puck Line (+2.5) vs. Tampa Bay Lighting (-156)
A quick glance at last night’s results reveals anything is possible in this league, especially coming out of a holiday break. The Senators knocked off the Bruins in the shootout, it took the sloppy-looking Maple Leafs overtime to knock off the lowly Blues, and the Arizona Coyotes handled the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche by a 6-3 count. For good measure, the Islanders pounded a lifeless Penguins club 5-1.
By no means are these results a concrete mold for this matchup tonight, but don’t be surprised to see the Canadiens hang around in this one. There’s little doubt that the stats lean heavily in the Lightning’s, but Tampa has been far from dominant this season. Its offense and power play have been quite good, but it is 14th in overall defense, 15th in high-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes at five-on-five and 16th in expected goals against in the same situation. In other words, this back end has been pedestrian and about league-average across the board.
The Lightning are a healthy group, but the Canadiens should get healthier tonight with the return of their heart-and-soul Brendan Gallagher. His return shouldn’t be overlooked in a divisional matchup.
New Jersey Devils Moneyline vs. Boston Bruins (-102)
Can the NHL’s best team lose back-to-back games coming out of the break? It’s certainly possible in a difficult back-to-back finishing tonight in New Jersey.
The Bruins got all they could handle from the Senators last night in Ottawa, tying the game with less than four minutes left to salvage at least 1 point before falling in the shootout. Despite the Devils putting a pair of defenders in John Marino and Ryan Graves on injured reserve today, the Bruins should have their hands full again tonight.
If there is one team that needed the Christmas break, it’s this Devils club. Following a shockingly hot start to the season, the Devils dropped seven of their last eight games heading into the break. Still, the numbers say they’ve remained one of the best teams in hockey.
While the Bruins are right there as well, the Devils have the edge in advanced stats such as high-danger chances for, high-danger chances against, and expected goals for and against at five-on-five.
It also means that this is a road game for the Bruins. Boston is an insane 18-0-2 at home this season but 9-4-1 on the road. One of the older clubs in hockey, back-to-back road games with travel between isn’t an ideal situation for the Bruins tonight.
Look for the Devils to come out of the break with a win in what should be a fun one from Jersey.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks Over 6.0 Goals (-118)
One of several teams playing a second game in as many days tonight, the Vegas Golden Knights might not be sharp against an inferior opponent. The Ducks don’t score much, as they are 31st in overall offense and 30th in expected goals for per 60 minutes at five-on-five, but those numbers should matter less against a tired Golden Knights club using a backup goaltender in Adin Hill.
Logan Thompson hasn’t been lightyears ahead of Hill in the Vegas crease, but Hill’s subpar .903 save percentage can be targeted in this one. He has an .846 save percentage and eight goals allowed across his last two outings dating back to Dec. 13.
The Ducks defense — or lack thereof — should be well known at this point. Anaheim has been flat out embarrassed to the tune of 4.11 goals against per game on the season. They are not only last in high-danger chances against per 60 minutes at five-on-five, but also dead last by a country mile in expected goals against in the same scenario. Their 3.31 expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five are not even close to the 31st-ranked Canucks, who allow 2.87.
Even without Jack Eichel and potentially Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore, the Golden Knights should be able to find offense despite just a pair of goals last night in Los Angeles. There’s plenty of evidence to support the over on six goals in this one tonight.
