NHL Picks for Today 12/20/2024: NHL Predictions
On Friday and the last day of Fall, we see 7 games on the NHL schedule, including the Hurricanes in Washington, DC to face the Capitals in a big Eastern Conference showdown, the Rangers in Dallas to bang the boards with the Stars in a nice inter-conference matchup, and the Blues in Sunrise, Florida to face the Panthers who are glad to finally be home and sleeping in their beds. Here are betting previews for these 7 matchups along with Moneyline and Totals odds, Starting Times, Records, Trends, and Picks from the Sides, Totals, and Puck Line markets.
Maple Leafs vs Sabres Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Sabres Line: | -205 |
| Maple Leafs Line: | -155 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+ |
Toronto (7-3-0 L10, W2) leads the Atlantic Division but with Florida hot on its heels, there are no nights off. On Friday the Maple Leafs are in Buffalo to face the slumping Sabres (lost 11 straight) who went from 11-10 to 11-21 and straight to the basement of the Atlantic Division. Looking at the last 10 series meetings we see that both teams have won 5 times with Toronto winning the last 3 straight (10 GF-4 GA) with the Over 6-2-2. So this Maple Leafs vs Sabres pick will make it easy and back the visitors on the Puck Line. Anyone losing 11 in a row in the NHL has some serious issues. Pick: Maple Leafs -1.5 +164
Canadiens vs Red Wings Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Red Wings Line: | -180 |
| Canadiens Line: | +150 |
| Total: | 6.5 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Red Wings (4-4-2 L10) have been playing better while the Canadiens (5-5-0 L10) have finally escaped being in last place due to the Sabres’ futility. Detroit is 7-3 in the last 10 series meetings winning the last 3 straight (15 GF-12 GA)—all by 5-4 scores and all in either a SO or OT. The last 4 meetings have all gone to extra time and an amazing 7 of the last 10 have needed more than 3 periods. The Over has won 3 straight. This Canadiens vs Devils pick will back Detroit in Hockeytown with Montreal just 3-9-1 on the Road. Pick: Red Wings -180
Blues vs Panthers Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Panthers Line: | -278 |
| Blues Line: | +255 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Panthers are finally home in the Sunshine State after a grueling 5-game Road Trip so the Blues (9-7-2 on Road) are facing the wrong team at the wrong time and one who has gone 9-5-1 at Home. Reading into the last 10 games in the series we see that St. Louis is 6-4 vs the defending Stanley Cup champions winning the last 2 meetings in Sunrise (9 GF-5 GA) and 3 of the last 4 there. The Over is 6-4-0 over the last last 10 but the Under has cashed 2 straight (6, 5 goals). This Blues vs Panthers pick will expect the Home team to win by 1 goal in a hard-fought battle. Pick: Panthers -278
Hurricanes vs Capitals Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Capitals Line: | +110 |
| Hurricanes Line: | -130 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Capitals will be getting a nice Christmas present with the return of living legend Alexander Ovechkin after the holiday break. Here, Washington (7-2-1 L10, L2) hosts a solid Hurricanes (7-6-1 L10) club that is right behind them in the Metropolitan Standings and ready to try to steal 3 points. Carolina has done very well in the last 10 meetings in this series, going 7-3 and winning the last 2 by 4-2 scores—but both at Home. But the Canes have won 3 of the last 4 at Washington so this one is a hard handicap and the Hurricanes vs Capitals pick will slightly lean to the visitors. Pick: Hurricanes -130
Rangers vs Stars Prediction
| Game Time: | 8:00 EST/5:00 PST |
| Stars Line: | -162 |
| Rangers Line: | +136 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Stars (6-4-0 L10) were expected to have a great season, but as tough as the Western Conference is this campaign, Jake Oettinger and Dallas (19-12-0) will have to just keep winning to make the Postseason. Over the last 10 series meetings, the Broadway Blueshirts have gone 6-4, winning 4 of the last 5 meetings and 3 of the last 4 in Dallas. This Rangers vs Stars pick will look to the Totals market and the Over with 4 consecutive Overs in games with 9, 9, 11, and 6 goals. Pick: Over 6
Utah Hockey Club vs Wild Prediction
| Game Time: | 8:00 EST/5:00 PST |
| Wild Line: | -148 |
| Utah Hockey Club Line: | +124 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Utah Hockey Club (7-1-2 L10) has hit a purple patch and is now just 1 point behind the Avalanche in the Central Division standings at the last Playoff spot. But we are still 1 day from Winter starting and the NHL Playoffs are in the Spring so we have a lot more Hockey to be played, Bubba Gump. When these two met earlier this season in the Beehive State, Minnesota (8-6-1 at Home) won 5-4 in a Shootout. This Utah Hockey Club vs Wild pick will back the Home Wild (7-3-0 L10) and lay the lumber and this Side might be a good element in a Parlay with the Maple Leafs, Panthers, and Avalanche. Pick: Wild -148
Avalanche vs Ducks Prediction
| Game Time: | 10:00 EST/7:00 PST |
| Ducks Line: | +185 |
| Avalanche Line: | -225 |
| Total: | 5.5 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Colorado (5-5-0 L10) has started to slip again and the Avalanche have a negative Goal Differential (-6) but play better on the Road (10-7-0) than at Home (8-8-0). The good thing for Colorado is that it is facing the toothless Ducks (4-5-1 L10) who are 6-9-1 at Home. Looking at the last 10 series meetings we see that the Avalanche have gone a profitable 8-2, winning the last 2 by 1 goal (4-3 in OT, 3-2) and 3 of the last 4 in Anaheim. This Avalanche vs Ducks pick will back Nathan MacKinnon (50 points), Cale Makar (38 points) and the Road team to even up the lifetime series at 30-30. Colorado is a dominating 12-2 in the last 14 meetings. A solid pick. Pick: Avalanche -225