Top 3 NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (12/30)
We have a small four-game slate of hockey on Friday with some great matchups. Below, I give out my three best bets for Friday's NHL slate.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Top 3 NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (12/30)
Edmonton Oilers (-110) @ Seattle Kraken (-110) | O/U 6.5 (-110/-110)
In Friday’s nightcap, there is a Pacific Division tilt, with the fourth-place Seattle Kraken hosting the fifth-place Edmonton Oilers. The month of December has not been kind to the Kraken, who have now lost seven of their last 10 games.
This trend should continue on Friday as goaltender Martin Jones is slated to start between the pipes for Seattle. Through 23 appearances in the crease this season, Jones possesses a .888 save percentage (SV%).
Jones’ poor play will likely continue against Edmonton, a team he has notoriously struggled against. Over his last 10 starts against the Oilers, he possesses a troubling .864 SV% and 3.51 goals against average (GAA).
Based on his metrics, positive regression is unlikely for Seattle’s netminder as he ranks 24th among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5. Jones may not get a ton of goal support either, as the Kraken rank in the bottom half of the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5.
Across the ice, goaltender Stuart Skinner is slated to get the start for Edmonton. The rookie netminder has been terrific this season, posting a .916 SV% and 2.82 GAA through 22 appearances between the pipes.
Among starting goaltenders, Skinner ranks third in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5. In front of Skinner is the best offensive tandem in hockey between Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, so goal support should not be an issue.
At 5-on-5, the Oilers rank eighth in the league in xGF/60. With both the offensive and goaltender advantage, Edmonton will likely add to Seattle’s December woes.
Best Bet: Oilers ML (-110)
Nashville Predators (-160) @ Anaheim Ducks (+140) | O/U 6 (-115/-105)
To kick off Friday’s slate, there is a Western Conference tilt with the Pacific Division’s Anaheim Ducks hosting the Central Division’s Nashville Predators. The Preds won the first meeting between these two clubs this year with a 2-1 overtime victory, and they should be able to take care of business once again.
This game presents a terrific “get right†opportunity for the Predators, who have lost eight of their last 10 games. However, It has been a tough schedule for Nashville, as six of those eight losses came against teams that were in the playoffs last year.
Nashville ranks higher than Anaheim in pretty much every category across the board. At 5-on-5, the Preds rank higher in both xGF/60 and expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Additionally, they boast the goaltender advantage as Juuse Saros is projected to start between the pipes. Through 26 starts this season, Saros boasts a .914 SV% and 2.82 GAA.
Entering this game in particularly dominant form, he has posted a .935 SV% and 2.23 GAA over his last seven outings. Based on his metrics, regression is unlikely for Nashville’s netminder as he ranks 12th among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5.
Over his six career starts against the Ducks, Saros is 4-1-1 with a .923 SV% and 2.46 GAA. Across the ice, goaltender John Gibson is expected to start for Anaheim.
While Gibson is dealt a bad hand with the team in front of him, he has still struggled in his own right as he is just 6-14-3 with a .900 SV% and 3.88 GAA through 23 starts this season. Over his last three starts against the Preds, he is 0-2-1 with a .900 SV% and 3.33 GAA.
While the price is a bit juicy for Nashville, It is worth the squeeze considering they are better in every aspect of this contest.
Best Bet: Predators ML (-160)
New Jersey Devils (+105) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (-125) | O/U 6 (-120/+100)
In the marquee matchup of Friday’s slate, there is a Metropolitan Division tilt with the third-place Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the second-place New Jersey Devils. Very rarely can we catch New Jersey at plus money, primarily because the Devils are just 1-7-1 over their last nine games.
However, now is the time to buy low on one of the league’s best teams after an uncharacteristic slide. At 5-on-5, New Jersey ranks first in the league in xGF/60 and second in xGA/60.
While Pittsburgh is undoubtedly a strong team as well, they rank below the Devils in both of those key categories. However, my bigger concern with the Penguins is the lack of health on their blue line.
Many Penguins fans will tell you that the defense has been a problem over the past couple of months, and the current injury report will make that sentiment even worse. Jeff Petry is on IR, while Chad Ruhwedel and Kris Letang are both considered day-to-day.
A thin blue line is a recipe for disaster against an offensive powerhouse like New Jersey. In a key divisional battle, the Devils should be able to take advantage of this depleted blue line and get back on track against the Penguins at plus money.
Best Bet: Devils ML (+105)
Best of luck!
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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.