NHL Picks for Friday 11/22/24: Top 2 NHL Predictions

We have only 2 NHL games on the docket for Friday night, both Eastern Conference vs Western Conference matchups from Pittsburgh and Anaheim in games where taking the Road clubs may be a good idea. Here are betting previews for the 2 matchups with moneyline and totals odds, starting times, records, trends, and picks and predictions from the Sides, Totals, and Puck Line markets.

Jets vs Penguins Prediction

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the Penguins (7-10-4, 4-4-2 at Home) welcome Mark Scheifele (24 points), Kyle Connor (24 points) and the Jets (16-3-0, 7-2-0 on Road) in an inter-conference skate at PPG Paints Arena between the team with the best Goal Differential in the NHL, Winnipeg (+34), and the side with the worst GD, Pittsburgh (-26). The Jets are 3-0-0 vs teams from the Metropolitan Division—all 3 of their losses have come at the hands of the Atlantic Division (3-3-0)—while the Penguins are a winless 0-3-0 vs teams from the Central Division.

Looking at the last 10 series meetings we find that Pittsburgh (11-9-1 O/U) has gone 6-4 with Winnipeg (10-8-1 O/U) having won the last 2 series meetings (6-3, 2-1), although both of those were in Canada. The Jets are 2-3 SU in their last 5 trips to the Steel City, but the big thing to remember here is that these Trends were carved in seasons when Pittsburgh was a much better (and younger) club and when Winnipeg was still evolving. With 6-foot-4 Goalie Connor Hellebuyck (12-3-0, 2.20 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO), this team has turned into a beast and are a great team on the Power Play and the Penalty Kill.

Looking at the series Totals Trends, we see that the Under is a profitable 8-2 in the last 10 meetings with all of the last 5 in Pittsburgh going Under (4.4 gpg). With Hellebuyck and backup Eric Comrie (3-1-0, 2,78 GAA) both formidable, also backing the Under at 6 (or even 6.5) seems worth a shot. This Jets vs Penguins prediction and pick will fade the team who has allowed the most Goals this season, Pittsburgh (83) and side with the hot team who has put the puck in the back of net the most, Winnipeg (80). Simple. Picks: Jets -170, Under 6.5

Sabres vs Ducks Prediction

This inter-conference game is a much tougher handicap with the Ducks (8-8-2, 4-5-0 at Home) playing better hockey (W3) and the Sabres (8-8-2, 2-4-1 on Road) below average on the Road and a long, long way from home (2,525 miles) and playing in a Time Zone (PST) three hours later than what they are used to (EST). These shocks to the Circadian Rhythms (Body Clocks) from teams in all sports from the East playing in the West or from the West playing in the East can wreak havoc on even the best pro athletes.

Buffalo has scored as many Goals as it has allowed (61-61), while Anaheim is chipping away at a -8 GD (46 GF-54 GA) with this recent mini-surge. Looking at the series Trends, we notice that the Over is 6-3-1 the last 10 with 7, 6, 10, and 9 goals scored in the last 4 meetings (8.0 gpg). The Ducks have won the last 2 after the Sabres won the previous 2. This Sabres vs Ducks prediction and pick is to ride the current team Trend of Anaheim Unders. The Ducks are 4-12-2 O/U with Under hitting at a 77.8% clip so far this season. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Anaheim, bet the Under. Pick: Under 6.5