Saturday features an NHL slate with eight games. Let’s dive into some of the best NHL bets including a look at the best Red Wings-Stars bet and the best Sabres-Penguins bet. Be sure to check our OddsShopper tool for more best NHL bets today.
Best NHL Bets Today | December 10
Best Red Wings-Stars Bet: Under 6.5 (-120, DraftKings)
The Central Division’s Dallas Stars host the Atlantic Division’s Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon. There have been six or fewer total goals scored in each of Detroit’s last six games, a trend that should continue with goaltender Ville Husso slated to take the crease.
Through 18 starts this season, Husso is 11-4-3 with a .916 SV% and 2.54 GAA. Based on his metrics, regression should not be an issue for the Wings’ netminder.
Among starting goaltenders, Husso ranks ninth in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5v5. However, he will likely get limited goal support given that Detroit ranks just 28th in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5v5.
Across the ice from Husso, goaltender Jake Oettinger is slated to take the crease for Dallas. Through 19 appearances in the crease this season, Oettinger is 10-3-3 with a.915 SV% and 2.56 GAA.
The total is set at 6.5 because of the Stars’ powerhouse offense. However, it is due for slight regression as Dallas ranks third in the league in GF/60 at 5v5 but 12th in the league in xGF/60 at 5v5.
Best Sabres-Penguins Bet: Sabres Team Total Over 2.5 (-140, DraftKings) – 2u
In a rare two-unit play (2% of your betting bankroll), the line for Buffalo to score just three goals is set far too low. This line should be around -200, which makes this a must-play regardless of whether it hits or not.
This matchup is the second of a home-and-home series between the Atlantic Division’s Buffalo Sabres and Metropolitan Division’s Pittsburgh Penguins. In last night’s matchup, the Penguins won a closely-contested 4-3 game in overtime.
The Sabres have now scored three or more goals in eight of their last nine games, while the Penguins have allowed three or more goals in four of their last six. Based on their metrics, regression should not be an issue as Buffalo ranks 11th in the league in xGF/60 at 5v5.
Since this game is the second of a home-and-home series with the Sabres, backup goaltender Casey DeSmith is projected to take the crease. While DeSmith is a capable backup, his game has started to slide recently.
Over his last three starts, he is 1-2 with a .895 SV% and 3.68 GAA. This recent slide in performance has been predictable given his metrics.
If he qualified, DeSmith would rank just 24th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5v5. In front of DeSmith is a defense that is missing its best player, Kris Letang, who continues to recover from the stroke he suffered at the end of November.
Buffalo’s offense has been a buzzsaw recently, and three goals should not be difficult to come by in this matchup.
