NHL Picks for Today 12/21/2024:
On Saturday and the first day of Winter, we see 11 games on the NHL schedule, with two of the Original 6, the Red Wings and the Canadiens playing in Montréal, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins facing the Devils in New Jersey in New Jersey, and the Kraken vs the Golden Knights in Las Vegas. Here are betting previews for these 11 matchups along with Moneyline and Totals odds, Starting Times, Records, Trends, and Picks from the Sides, Totals, and Puck Line markets.
Kings vs Predators Prediction
| Game Time: | 1:30 EST/10:30 PST |
| Predators Line: | -110 |
| Kings Line: | -110 |
| Total: | 5.5 |
| TV: | NHL Network |
Nashville (2-5-3 L10) welcomes the Kings (8-2-1 L10) to Opryland for a Western Conference game and the first game on the schedule for Saturday. Looking at the last 10 meetings between these two, we see that the Predators are 6-4 with the Under 4-0-1 in the last 5. But Los Angeles (9-7-3 on Road) has won the last 2 meetings in Nashville (4-2, 3-0), this Kings vs Predators pick will back the visitors over the last place team in the Central Division who are playing much better hockey and allowed just 82 Goals. Pick: Kings -110
Blackhawks vs Flames Prediction
| Game Time: | 4:00 EST/1:00 PST |
| Flyers Line: | -185 |
| Blackhawks Line: | +154 |
| Total: | 5.5 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Blackhawks (3-7-0 L10) have really struggled over the last decade, and on Saturday afternoon they are in Calgary to fan the Flames (11-4-3 at Home) in a game where backing the hosts on the Puck Line might be the best betting angle in this Western Conference game. Looking at the last 10 in this series, we see that Chicago (5-11-2 on Road) has gone 5-5 vs Calgary but has lost the last 2 meetings in Alberta (3-1, 1-0) in stone-cold Unders. This Blackhawks vs Flyers pick will back the Home team and look for another low-scoring win as the Flames continue to play well at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Picks: Flames -1.5 +136, Under 5.5
Sharks vs Oilers Prediction
| Game Time: | 4:00 EST/1:00 PST |
| Oilers Line: | -380 |
| Sharks Line: | +300 |
| Total: | 6.5 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Oilers (8-2-0 L10) have owned this Western Conference series of late, going 9-1 in the last 10 and winning the last 5 in Edmonton (19 GF-14) and scoring at least 5 Goals in all 5 (9, 5, 5, 5, 5). And that’s a good thing for Over bettors (6-3-1 L10, 5-0-0 Over in Edmonton). We will make Connor McDavid and the Home team on the Puck Line the side pick and back yet another Over in these Sharks vs Oilers picks. Picks: Oilers -1.5, -135, Over 6.5
Sabres vs Bruins Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Bruins Line: | -198 |
| Sabres Line: | +164 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Bruins (6-3-1 L10) welcome the struggling Sabres (L11 straight) to Beantown for this Atlantic Division mismatch. In the last 10 meetings, Boston has gone a profitable 8-2 and 4 of the last 5 (22 GF-5 GA) allowing the Sabres just 1, 0, 2, 1, and 1 Goals in those 5. The under is 2-0 in the last 2 (5, 4). This Sabres vs Bruins pick will back David Pastrnak (33 points) and Boston who are facing a team that hasn’t won a game yet since before Thanksgiving. Pick: Bruins -1.5 +120
Islanders vs Maple Leafs Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Maple Leafs Line: | -162 |
| Islanders Line: | +136 |
| Total: | 5.5 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Islanders and Maple Leafs have split the last 10 with Over 4-1-0 in the last 5 series meetings. Here in Toronto (15-4-0 at Home), the Maple Leafs (7-3-0 L10) should handle New York (8-7-0 on Road) because Auston Matthews and the hosts have the most Home Wins in the NHL (14), This Islanders vs Maple Leafs pick will back the Canadian team in Canada vs the American team not in Canada, but with the steep price, this Site may be better used in a Parlay. Pick: Maple Leafs -162
Red Wings vs Canadiens Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Canadiens Line: | +100 |
| Red Wings Line: | -120 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | NHL Network |
Two of the NHL’s Original 6, Montréal and Detroit, meet in Quebec in an Eastern Conference matinee. Looking at the last 10, we see that Les Habs (9-7-2 at Home) are just 3-7 vs the Red Wings (6-7-2 on Road) with the clicking the last 3 meetings (9, 9, 9). The freaky thing is that all 3 of those games ended 5-4 in either a SO or OT and 7 of the last 10 have needed more than 3 periods, There have been those 7 1-goal games and 3 Shutouts. Weird. This Red Wings vs Canadiens pick will back Detroit who has won the last 4 straight in Montréal (19 GF-11 GA). Pick: Red Wings -120
Penguins vs Devils Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Devils Line: | -218 |
| Penguins Line: | +180 |
| Total: | 6.5 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
This Penguins vs Devils pick will again be backing the team that has done better in the last 10 series meetings and that’s New Jersey (6-3-1 L10) have gone 7-3 and won 7 of the last 8. The Over has hit 3 straight meetings with 9, 7, and 7 Goals scored with the Total in those meetings all 6.5. Even though Evgeni Malkin and Pittsburgh (7-2-1 L10) have been playing better, the Devils (6-3-1 L10, 45 points) find themselves in 1st place in their division and will want to try and enjoy their stay there before Alexander Ovechkin returns for the 2nd-place Capitals (44 points). Pick: Devils -218
Blue Jackets vs Flyers Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Flyers Line: | -170 |
| Blue Jackets Line: | +142 |
| Total: | 5.5 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Blue Jackets (2-6-2 L10) are on the skids again and here they are in Philadelphia to skate vs the Flyers (7-8-1 at Home). Fading Columbus on the Road (4-11-2) is always a good NHL betting angle and with the modern Broad Street Bullies having gone 3-1 in the last 4 meetings in the City of Brotherly Love and Parking Tickets (16 GF-11 GA), this Blue Jackets vs Flyers pick will back Travis Konecny and the Homeboys. Konecny leads the Flyers in Points (37), Goals (16), Assists (21), Penalty Minutes (35), French Hens (3), and Turtle Doves (2). The Over is 6-3-1 in those last 10. Pick: Flyers -170
Wild vs Jets Prediction
| Game Time: | 7:00 EST/4:00 PST |
| Jets Line: | -166 |
| Wild Line: | +140 |
| Total: | 5.5 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Jets (11-3-1 at Home) welcome the Wild (12-2-3 on Road) to Winniped in a battle between the 1st- and 2nd-place clubs in the Central Division. Winnipeg (5-4-1 L10) and Minnesota (6-4-0_ both started the 2024-25 NHL Regular Season like a house on fire, but both have cooled off a bit. In the last 10 series meetings, the Jets have gone an impressive 7-3 and won the last 7 straight (29 GF-12 GA). The Under is 5-3-2 over that span, This Wild vs Jets will fade the team from the USA playing in Canada and back the streaking Side, but Minnesota is too good to think about using the Puck Line. Pick: Jets -166
Senators vs Canucks Prediction
| Game Time: | 10:00 EST/7:00 PST |
| Canucks Line: | -148 |
| Senators Line: | +124 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
The Canucks (6-7-4 at Home) have played much better on the Road (10-2-2) than at Rogers Arena but the Senators (7-2-1, W4) have been playing very well this year and have gotten their heads above water (16-15, +7 GD). Looking at the last 10 games in this series, we see Vancouver has dominated, going 7-3 and winning the last 5 straight (26 GF-14 GA) so this Senators vs Canucks pick will back the Home team to bring an end to Ottawa’s winning streak in a close one. The Over is a profitable 7-1-2, not losing in the last 8 skates. Pick: Canucks -148
Kraken at Golden Knights Prediction
| Game Time: | 10:00 EST/7:00 PST |
| Golden Knights Line: | -198 |
| Kraken Line: | +164 |
| Total: | 6 |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Seattle (4-5-1, L3) is in Sin City to face the Golden Knights (12-3-0 at Home) in what looks like a good spot to take Mark Stone (25 points) and VGK (7-2-1 L10). Looking at the last 10 meetings in this Pacific Division series, we see that the Golden Knights have gone 7-3, winning the last 3 at The Fortress (11 GF-3 GA) and only allowing the Kraken (7-9-0 on Road) 1 goal a game in those 3 skates at T-Mobile Arena. VGK is 3-0 in its last 3 at Home. Pick: Golden Knights -198