Let’s dive into the top betting angles from the NHL’s 11-game Friday slate, which offers several enticing plays on player prop markets, as well as a side. For more of the best NHL bets and NHL props, be sure to check out the OddsShopper tool.
NHL Bets for Tonight | Dec. 23
Roope Hintz Over 2.5 Shots on Goal -118 (Montreal Canadiens-Dallas Stars):
Dallas top line of Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Joe Pavelski has again been arguably the very best the league has to offer this season, and is a handful for any side in the league to keep in check.
The unit has controlled play to an expected goals share of 60.9%, and is generating 3.47 xGF/60, which is a comment towards the vast amount of attempts on the opposition goal.
Montreal has allowed 33.57 shots against per 60 over the last five games, and likely will allow that average of worse in this spot on the road in Dallas.
Hintz has hit this number in seven of his last nine games played and sustaining such a high clip of shots on target is likely considering the way that Dallas top line is able to tilt the ice, especially versus a Canadiens team featuring nothing in the way of a true shutdown defensive pair to hard match on Dallas top trio.
A case can be made for any of Pavelski, Robertson, or Pavelski to go over their shot prop totals, but Hintz is my favorite based upon this price and his recent averages.
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Columbus Blue Jackets-Chicago Blackhawks Over 6.5 -105:
Two lottery teams yielding horrific defensive capabilities will meet Friday in Chicago for the final matchup before entering holiday breaks. The chances things open up for somewhat of a loosely played shootout seem very reasonable and backing the over 6.5 at -105 projects to hold value.
Chicago received surprisingly strong goaltending in the early going of this young season but has seen all of its goaltending options fall apart behind horrific defensive play of late. The Blackhawks have lost eight consecutive matchups, and 17 of its last 18 games altogether while allowing a ridiculous 4.66 goals against per game.
Columbus has allowed 4.03 goals against per game this season itself and continue has allowed four goals or more in eight of ten matchups entering this game.
The goals against dynamic obviously changes a little in this matchup where these two lottery bound teams may control more of the overall play than any average night, but the chances that these two horrific defensive sides play some battened down brand of hockey in this matchup seems unlikely.
Both are icing far below average netminding, and defenders who will allow far more space offensively than nearly any other sides in the league. Each still holds some capable scoring talent, and seeing both sides manage three or more in this spot is likely.
Vancouver Canucks-Edmonton Oilers | Oilers puck-line +105), Oilers Team Total Over 4.5 +155:
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will likely be licking their chops eying up this matchup versus the Vancouver Canucks, who skated last night versus Seattle and have looked horrific defensively for a number of weeks now.
Vancouver has lost five of i’s last nine contests by two or more goals, and its leaky goaltending situation and suspect defensive core has been on full display while allowing an average of 4.33 goals against per game.
The crazy part? Vancouver has allowed an appalling recent goals-against average versus teams ranking at an average of 17.9 in goals for per game this season.
Now the Canucks are forced to keep the league’s third best offence in check on night two of a back-to-back situation, which does not project to be a feasible idea based upon the Canucks recent form and the personnel on hand.
Edmonton’s overall game may not be an oil painting, but it has trended in the right direction of late and the Oilers are still tilting the ice in the right direction overall with a 53.20% expected goals share over the last ten games and owning a +12 goal differential where it counts.
McDavid, Draisaitl and company will inevitably get a number of high danger chances tonight and are not the type to butcher quality opportunities very often.
Stuart Skinner has also been confirmed as the Oilers starting goalie, which is an important note as Skinner has been miles better than Jack Campbell this season and projects to give the Oilers are a goaltending edge in this matchup where it should carry far more of the play.
