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Top NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (12/14)

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We’ve got a nice 8-pack of NHL games on tap for Thursday’s slate, giving us more than enough action to wager on the ice. In this NHL best bets article, we offer our best betting lines to invest in to end the night with profit in our pocket.

Our hot streak unfortunately went cold last Thursday, as we finished the slate 1-2, with Toronto mounting a late comeback to beat Ottawa 4-3 on the road. The read on Chicago vs. Anaheim couldn’t have been more off, as over 6.5 total goals never got close, with the Blackhawks winning 1-0. The over 1.5 1st period goals in the New Jersey vs. Seattle matchup didn’t hit either, as the Devils scored the lone goal in the opening period.

It’s a new week, meaning we’re hitting the reset button and bringing good vibes and plenty of analysis to emerge as winners from tonight’s 8-game NHL slate. Make sure to follow Matt MacKay on Twitter to get more free plays and NHL best bets.

Thursday's NHL Best Bets

Columbus Blue Jackets (+202) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (-250) | O/U 6.5 (-142/+116)

Columbus travels to Toronto to face a red-hot Maple Leafs offense that has won three of its last four games outright, scoring at least three goals in six consecutive contests. The Blue Jackets are ranked fourth-worst in goals allowed per game (3.5) and expect to start Daniil Tarasov for the first time this season.

Last March, Tarasov allowed four to six goals in four consecutive outings, so this is a strong matchup for Toronto’s offense to keep the momentum rolling. The Maple Leafs just routed the Rangers 7-3 on the road on Tuesday. Auston Matthews and William Nylander have been goal-scoring machines, while the Blue Jackets have managed to establish an offensive rhythm themselves, scoring at least two goals in four consecutive games.

We’re eating a bit of juice with this betting line, but we’re hunting winners, so let’s stake a couple of units on over 6.5 total goals to be scored at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.

Bet: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-142)

Ottawa Senators (-111) vs. St. Louis Blues (-108) | O/U 6.5 (-122/+100)

Oddsmakers are projecting close to a pick’em between Ottawa and St. Louis. This follows the Blues’ decision to move off of their former head coach, which could inspire the team to play hard after enduring a 1-5 record since the beginning of December.

St. Louis ranks 10th in goals allowed per game at 3.32, while Ottawa isn’t far behind at 3.22. The Senators’ offense is the difference-maker here, ranking inside the top-ten in goals scored per game (3.39) behind the likes of Brady Tkachuk, Claude Giroux, and a team-high 20 assists from Tim Stützle.

Three of the previous five head-to-head matchups have gone over 6.5 total goals, plus St. Louis has surrendered at least five goals in three of their last four outings. Facing an offensive juggernaut like Ottawa, over 6.5 total goals is once again the play, with better odds at -122 on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bet: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-122)

Calgary Flames (+128) vs. Minnesota Wild (-154) | O/U 6.5 (-106/-114)

Minnesota will host Calgary on Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center, looking to keep their winning momentum rolling from their last game, played on the road in a 3-0 shutout against Seattle this past Sunday. The Wild will be plenty rested, while the Flames stumble into this matchup with only one day of rest after losing 5-4 to Vegas.

As bad as it’s been for Calgary lately, dropping five of their last six games, including a home game contest against Minnesota on December 5th, losing 5-2, the Flames are poised to win outright. They are in better game shape than the Wild, who are coming off of an extended three days of rest. Plus, Calgary’s recent losses after Minnesota came at the hands of New Jersey, Colorado, and Vegas, who are all top-tier opponents.

Calgary lost both of their road games against the Avs and Golden Knights by one goal, earning a point with an overtime loss to Vegas on Tuesday night. Offense hasn’t been the issue, it’s been the defense and goaltending. Dan Vladar is expected to go in the net tonight, coming off of his worst performance of the season, allowing six goals on 38 shots against Colorado. Minnesota’s offense is 17th in goals per game (3.08) and surrenders 3.31 goals per contest, 11th-most in the league. Wild netminder Filip Gustavsson is playing very well between the pipes, but we’ve seen him allow four to seven goals on a five-game stretch earlier in the season.

Calgary is the more desperate team and has enough offense to challenge the Wild on the road, despite the rest disadvantage. Let’s stake a unit on the Flames to right the ship and get back in the win column after two close calls with Colorado and Vegas, who are both marginally better teams than Minnesota.

Bet: Calgary Flames Moneyline (+128)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:


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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.

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