Top 3 NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (12/31)
This Saturday has an exciting slate of games, including a couple of teams playing well recently. We also have a matchup with some struggling teams that would love to come away with two points.
(All odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Buffalo Sabres (+205) vs. Boston Bruins (-255) | o/u 6.5 (-118/-104)
The Sabres have been getting it done on both sides lately and have won five in a row. The top offense in the league continues to be a force, but recently, the defense has been stepping up, allowing 1.80 goals per game in that five-game stretch.
The Bruins continue to dominate on each side of the ice. The offensive unit is second-best behind Buffalo with 3.80 goals per game, but Linus Ullmark looks like a Vezina Trophy winner as he leads the league in goals allowed and goals saved above expected.
The Sabres have been better defensively lately, but they have not seen an offensive unit like Boston, and Ullmark has been playing better than any goaltender and held the Sabres to just one goal last time.
Pick: Bruins 60 min. ML (-160)
Minnesota Wild (-137) vs. St. Louis Blues (+114) | o/u 6 (-110/-110)
The Wild are on an incredible run right now, winning nine of their last 11 games. The defense continues to carry this team, and they’re allowing 1.45 goals during that same run.
The story of the Blues’ season can be defined as streaky. They’ve had runs where they’ve been dominant on both ends of the ice, but then have their moments when they look awful. Although they’ve lost three of their last four, two have resulted in at least one point by going to overtime.
Marc-Andre Fleury hasn’t started consecutive games in the net for Minnesota since the first week of December, so it should be Flip Gustavsson, who’s top seven in goals allowed per game and save percentage. The Wild defense, as a whole, does a great job of forcing turnovers in their own zone, and that should create plenty of chances against Jordan Binnington.
Pick: Wild ML (-137)
Nashville Predators (+134) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (-162) | o/u 6 (-128/-104)
This is not the same Golden Knights team that was dominating during the early part of the season. Formally at the top team in the west, they’ve lost four of their last six and have struggled at home, including a recent upset loss to the Ducks.
The Predators have played much better since breaking their six-game losing streak. They’ve won three of their last five but have come away with at least one point in four of those.
Nashville is one of the league’s bottom offensive units, so don’t expect them to win this game through scoring, but defensively, they’ve been solid as of late. Vegas’ offense has been inconsistent, but they’ve continued to play well defensively, and this should be a low-scoring game.
Pick: Under 6 (+100)
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