NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (12/14)
Hockey season is in full swing, and things are already exciting at the start of the NHL season. There are a few intriguing matchups early on, so let's look at the games to target.
Saturday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Montreal Canadiens (+210) at Winnipeg Jets (-258) | O/U 6 (-108/-112)
The Jets have not played the same way recently as they did earlier in the season, when they won 15 of the first 16 games. They hit a tough patch right after by going 6- 7- 1 since, but they have won three of the last four games.
The offense is much better than last year, but they will still lean toward goaltending. Not a bad plan when it's reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck, and he's trying for back-to-back as he leads the league in GAA (2.12) and is second in save percentage (.926).
The Canadiens have some talent that they could build around. Cole Caufield has 17 goals, and Nick Suzuki has 30 points, but beyond that, there isn't another confident scoring option.
The goaltending has been brutal. They're 31st in goals allowed, and the blue line has allowed the most high-danger shots. Their last game was a low point, as they are coming off allowing nine goals.
This should be a game the Jets run away with.
Pick: Jets -1.5 (+105)
Los Angeles Kings (-105) at New York Rangers (-115) | O/U 5.5 (-115/-105)
The Kings are playing fantastically, as they are coming in having won five of their last six. Their league-leading 2.55 goals allowed per game has held them for most of the year, but the offense has come together, with 19 goals during this run.
You knew they would eventually have to break out with their talent on the forward unit, including three players who scored at least 70 points last year.
The Rangers are in an opposite stretch and are struggling with a current 3-7-0 run. They just extended goalie Igor Shesterkin, and the satisfaction of job security might be helping because he's allowed two goals for each of his last three appearances.
When the goaltending was struggling, the offense wasn't able to support them because they don't have that same speed as last year and have highly regressed on special teams as they were one of the best on the power play last season.
The Kings are leading in expected goals at full strength, and this ascending offense with already proven defense should win the game on the road.
Pick: Kings Moneyline (-105)