Top 2 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (12/16)
We have a mini three-game slate of hockey on Friday with some great matchups. Below, I give out my two best bets for Friday’s NHL slate.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
New York Islanders (-180) @ Arizona Coyotes (+155) | O/U 5.5 (-115/-105)
In Friday’s nightcap, the Central Division’s Arizona Coyotes host the Metropolitan Division’s New York Islanders. Despite two incredible goaltenders set to square off in this contest, the value is on the over with the number sitting at 5.5.
There have now been six or more total goals scored in three of the last four games for each of these two teams. While goaltending is undoubtedly not to blame, both of these defenses are terrible.
At 5v5, the Islanders rank fifth-to-last in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) while the Yotes rank second-to-last. Neither of these teams has played since Tuesday, so both are going to be incredibly well-rested and should come out flying around the rink.
In an Ilya Sorokin versus Karel Vejmelka matchup, it makes sense that the total sits at just 5.5. However, these defenses are so bad that goaltending is often taken out of the equation due to the amount of high-danger scoring chances each team surrenders.
While I absolutely would not take this total at six, It is worth taking at 5.5.
Best Bet: Over 5.5 (-115)
Chicago Blackhawks (+330) @ Minnesota Wild (-410) | O/U 6 (-110/-110)
There is a Central Division clash with the third-place Minnesota Wild hosting the eighth-place Chicago Blackhawks. Despite the juice, the Wild are the team to back in this contest as the Hawks continue to blatantly tank for Connor Bedard.
These teams enter this contest in polar opposite forms, with Minnesota winning nine of its last 12 games and Chicago losing 12 of its last 13. Of those 12 losses, 10 have come by at least a two-goal margin.
The Wild boast the advantage in every category one could think of in this contest. At 5v5, they rank high in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), xGA/60, and they boast the better goaltender as Marc-Andre Fleury is set to guard the cage against his former team.
While Fleury has not had his best season, he has still been better than Petr Mrazek, who is the projected starter for Chicago. Through 10 starts, Mrazek is 2-6-1 with a .873 SV% and 4.37 GAA.
If he qualified, Mrazek would rank second-to-last among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5v5. Chicago has already given up on the season, evidenced by the lack of effort the players are showing on the ice over the past couple of weeks.
Going on the road on the second half of a back-to-back against a divisional opponent should be no different, especially considering the Wild are better in every single metric.
Best Bet: Wild -1.5 (-140)
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.