Top 3 NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (12/3)
Twenty teams are set to hit the ice for tonight's 10-game slate in the NHL, giving us plenty of different ways to get some skin in the game. Below I've listed my three favorite bets from tonight's board.
Tuesday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
San Jose Sharks (+240) vs. Washington Capitals (-298) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
The Sharks (9-13-5) have won two straight games. they'll try to stay hot when they take on a Capitals (17-6-1) side that's won its last four games. This cross-conference showdown is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
One way to get over having a lousy defense is to simply light up the scoreboard and outpace your opponent. That's been the key for San Jose, who's averaging 5.5 goals per game over their recent 3-1-0 stretch of play. The Sharks have seen at least seven goals in six of their last nine games, averaging 7.7 combined goals during the nine-game sample size. I expect the trend to continue tonight, especially as they square off against a top-tier Capitals offense.
Despite missing Alex Ovechkin (leg), the Capitals continue to rack up the goals this year. Washington is scoring 4.2 goals per game (GPG), which is first in the NHL by a 0.4-GPG margin over second-place Winnipeg (3.8 GPG). Interestingly, it's been the 5-on-5 play for the Caps that are pacing the team, where their 69 even-strength goals top the league. They'll be looking to score on a San Jose team that has conceded the third-most 5-on-5 goals this season (63). Let's lock in the over in the nation's capital.
Bet: Over 6.5 Goals (-105)
New York Islanders (-135) vs. Montreal Canadiens (+114) | O/U 6.0 (+100/-120)
The Islanders (9-10-6) snapped a three-game slide last time out, blanking the Sabres in a 3-0 affair. They'll try to make it two in a row when they take on the Canadiens (8-13-3), who reside in the cellar of the Atlantic Division. This Eastern Conference clash is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC.
Each team has had its issues this season. This one boils down to whose weakness will be exposed to a greater extent. I'm willing to lay the juice and fade Montreal's abysmal defense. The Habs are dead last in GAA (3.58), as well as sitting 31st in both SV% (.871) and high-danger shots against (105). The Canadiens have conceded at least three goals in each of their last five games, averaging 4.4 goals against over the stretch.
Essentially, the big question is whether or not the Islanders can get to three goals. If they can, they should win this game. Over their last five games, they're averaging exactly 3.0 goals per game, and they've lit the lamp three-plus times in four out of those five contests. I trust their sound defense (2.68 GAA, seventh) to make enough stops throughout this game to outlast the Habs.
Bet: Islanders Moneyline (-135)
Edmonton Oilers (-130) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (+110) | O/U 6.5 (-102/-118)
All roads lead to a heavyweight showdown in the Western Conference tonight, as the Golden Knights (13-9-2) host the Oilers (15-7-3). Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
I'm not overthinking this one. I'm taking the over. For Edmonton, they're still one of the worst defensive units in the league, giving up 2.88 tallies per contest (21st). In terms of SV%, they're 28th at .884. The Oilers are also just 28th on the penalty kill, killing off only 72.1% of their penalties. This is a tough matchup against a Knights squad that's scoring 3.6 goals per game (seventh), as well as cashing 27.4% of their power-play chances (fifth).
On the flip side, Vegas has been shaky defensively this year. They're 24th in GAA (3.00), 20th in SV% (.891), and 21st on the penalty kill (78.2%). Edmonton is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, averaging 3.9 goals per game offensively. They've seen at least seven combined goals in seven of those 10 contests. The goals should be plentiful in this one - give me the over.
Bet: Over 6.5 Goals (-102)