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Top NHL Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Thursday (12/7)

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The NHL is back with a loaded 13-game slate on Thursday, giving us plenty of action to wager on the ice. In this NHL best bets article, we provide our top betting lines to target, based on probability and value.

We’re coming off of a 2-0 sweep with last Thursday’s picks, as Chicago and Detroit cashed Over 1.5 1st period goals at -130. The Devils and Flyers’ over 6.5 total goals looked unlikely through two periods but wound up hitting thanks to the Flyers’ late third period push, forcing overtime with a 3-3 score to end regulation.

Make sure to follow Matt MacKay on Twitter to get more free plays and NHL best bets.

Thursday's NHL Best Bets

Toronto Maple Leafs (-134) vs. Ottawa Senators (+112) | O/U 6.5 (-140/+114)

Toronto and Ottawa always offer high entertainment value whenever they match up against each other. Both offenses are loaded with goal scoring talent, while the Maple Leafs are dealing with injuries to multiple goaltenders. This leaves Joseph Woll as the expected netminder in the crease on Thursday night, who has allowed three to four goals in six of his last seven starts.

The Senators are expected to deploy Joonas Korpisalo as their goaltender, who bested Woll during their last meeting on November 8th, with Ottawa pulling off the road win 6-3 over Toronto. The Maple Leafs are favored slightly by oddsmakers on the moneyline at -134 odds, while the goal total is juiced on over 6.5 at -140 odds. There were nine total goals scored during the last head-to-head matchup between both of these goaltenders a month ago, which is why we’re getting such minimal value on the goal total over.

Toronto hasn’t played a game since Saturday, when they lost 4-3 to Boston in overtime. Ottawa is less rusty, winning two games in a row, including a dominant 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers at home on Tuesday. Korpisalo has lost two consecutive starts, while Woll is 2-1 across his last three starts. Plus, Toronto is more rested, so let’s take that edge and stake a unit on the Maple Leafs’ moneyline at -134 odds.

Bet: Toronto Maple Leafs Moneyline (-134)

Anaheim Ducks (-118) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (-102) | O/U 6.5 (-102/-120)

Two of the worst performing teams in the Western Conference will collide on Thursday night in Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks. While this may seem like a gross matchup to watch, there’s some significant value to acquire in betting markets. Chicago allows 3.67 goals per game, third-most in the league, followed by Anaheim at 3.48 goals allowed per game, which is fourth-highest.

Oddsmakers have set the goal total line at 6.5, with only -102 odds on over 6.5 total goals, which is where we need to invest. Anaheim has gone over 6.5 total goals in two of their past three contests, while Chicago has been the team unable to manufacture goals, only hitting over 6.5 total goals once in their last four games, which occurred during their last outing in a 4-3 loss to Nashville.

The Ducks’ expected goaltender, John Gibson, has allowed three to five goals in three consecutive starts, while Petr Mrazek, Chicago’s goalie, has allowed nine combined goals across his last two starts. Let’s not overthink this one, as there isn’t much defense to spare on either side, with sub-par goaltending also factoring into this matchup. We’ll stake a unit on over 6.5 total goals at -102 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bet: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-102)

New Jersey Devils (-144) vs. Seattle Kraken (+118) | O/U 6.5 (-110/-110)

If you’re on the East Coast, this game may not start until you’re asleep. It doesn’t matter. We’re looking to cash wagers, and what better way to end the slate than investing in the New Jersey Devils’ high-octane offense.

Seattle hosts New Jersey after getting three days off, but the Kraken are on a significant losing slump, dropping five consecutive games, but returning from a four-game road trip. Meanwhile, the Devils came out swinging early on the road against Vancouver in their last outing on Tuesday, scoring four first period goals and finishing with a 6-5 win in regulation.

The Kraken are notably worse than the Canucks in terms of offensive production, but the Devils are healthier than they’ve been in quite some time, led by star winger, Jack Hughes. New Jersey has won four of its last five games straight up, while cashing overs in 18 of 23 games played this season. We’re getting -110 odds on over 6.5 total goals in this contest, which is very enticing. However, let’s get an early payout by investing in over 1.5 1st period total goals scored. New Jersey has hit this line in nine consecutive games and their goaltender, Vitek Vanecek, has been a turn-style in the crease this season, forcing the Devils to score goals at a high clip.

Let’s wager over 1.5 1st period goals scored at -134 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bet: Over 1.5 1st Period Goals (-134)

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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