Saturday features an NHL slate with eight games throughout the day. Let’s dive into a two-leg NHL parlay for Saturday, which pays out +243 at FanDuel, and be sure to use the OddsShopper tool to shop more for the best NHL parlays and bets.
Best NHL Parlay Bet Tonight | Dec. 10
Carolina Hurricanes at New York Islanders
The Islanders enter this matchup on the second half of a back-to-back following their big upset victory over the New Jersey Devils, so there could be some tired legs offensively. That is not something this group needs offensively, as it ranks just 19th in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at five-on-five. Since Semyon Varlamov got the start for New York in that game, goaltender Ilya Sorokin is set to take the crease in tonight’s matchup.
One of the best goaltenders on the planet, Sorokin is off to yet another great start this season. Through 19 appearances in the crease, he boasts a .927 save percentage and 2.33 goals against average (GAA). Regression should not be an issue for one of the league’s best, as Sorokin ranks second among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at five-on-five. This strong play should continue against Carolina, a team against which he has previously fared well. Through three career starts against the Hurricanes, Sorokin is 2-1 with a .917 save percentage and 2.70 GAA.
Across the ice, goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is slated to take the crease for Carolina, and he boasts a .914 save percentage and 2.44 GAA. Since bursting onto the scene during last year’s playoffs, Kochetkov has been terrific.
In front of him is one of the best defenses in hockey. At five-on-five, the Hurricanes rank second in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). However, their offense will be shorthanded this game without star centerman Sebastian Aho. With these two goaltenders going toe-to-toe, Carolina’s stellar defense and the absence of Aho, this game should see six or fewer total goals.
Best NHL Parlay Bet: Under 6.0 (-128)
Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks
After winning eight of their last 11 games, now is the time to sell high on Vancouver, as each of its last four wins was in overtime. That is not sustainable. Plus, goaltender Spencer Martin is slated to take the crease for the Canucks. Through 13 appearances in the crease this season, Martin possesses a .890 save percentage and 3.48 GAA. Based on his metrics, positive regression is unlikely. If he qualified, Martin would rank just 30th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at five-on-five.
Life is not going to get any easier for Martin given the defense that plays in front of him. At five-on-five, the Canucks rank just 30th in the league in xGA/60. Additionally, their offense is due for regression, as it ranks eighth in GF/60 but 25th in xGF/60 at five-on-five.
This regression could be realized against Minnesota, a team that ranks fourth in the league in xGA/60 at five-on-five. Backing up this strong defense is goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who has been solid this season, with a .909 save percentage and 2.75 GAA through nine appearances. The offenses are equally bad in this matchup, while Minnesota boasts a better defense and goaltender, presenting a great opportunity to sell high on Vancouver.
Best NHL Parlay Bet: Wild Moneyline (-108)
