Back to the grind today after a week off due to the NHL’s Christmas break.
We personally avoid betting on the last day before the break/first day after it since it’s hard to know how focused players will be in those spots.
There are several matchups today in which one team is playing for the second straight night while another is playing its first game in nearly a week.
Short rest is almost always better than having the rust of not playing for 3+ days, and we were especially excited for the opportunity to back the Sharks tonight against a Flyers team that hasn’t played since Monday.
However, after San Jose melted down last night to drop its 10th game in its last 11 (with the Sharks’ offense sputtering again), we had to scratch that one off the card.
There are still four other games we’re invested in tonight as we look to build on last week’s 3-0 Saturday.
Good luck on whatever you play!
Odds below are at the time we made the pick.
Reasons to bet New York: The Rangers are 8-7-2 on the road. Toronto has lost 11 of its last 14 games when playing on 0 days rest.
Reasons to bet Toronto: The Leafs have won 6 straight and 8 of 9. New York has lost 5 of the last 7 meetings, including a 6-3 decision last week in New York.
Other things to know:
- New York has lost 10 of its last 14 games on 0 days rest
- New York has scored 3+ goals in 3 of its last 4 games and 5 of 7
- New York has allowed 3+ goals in 6 of its last 7 games
- The Over is 6-0-1 in New York’s last 7 games
- Toronto has scored 21 goals in its last 4 games, excluding empty netters
- Toronto has allowed 10 goals in its last 2 games and 3+ in 5 of its last 7
- Toronto has scored 15 goals in its last 3 home games, excluding empty netters
- New York has won 10 of its last 14 trips to Toronto
- The Over is 12-4-1 in New York’s last 17 games on 0 days rest
- The Under is 6-2-1 in Toronto’s last 9 home games
- The Over is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in Toronto
- The Under is 4-2 in the last 6 meetings
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Reasons to bet Nashville: The Predators have been at their best this year as underdogs, winning 6 of 7 games in that role this year. Pittsburgh has not won in regulation in 3 straight at home, where it hasn’t played since Dec. 14.
Reasons to bet Pittsburgh: The Penguins beat Nashville 5-2 last night in Nashville to improve to 15-6 in the last 21 meetings. The Predators have lost 6 of their last 7 games on 0 days rest.
Other things to know:
- Nashville is 8-6-2 on the road
- Nashville has won 10 of its last 12 games following a loss at home by 3+ goals
- The Over is 6-1-1 in Nashville’s last 8 games
- Nashville has scored 21 goals in its last 5 road games, excluding empty netters
- Nashville has allowed 3+ goals in 5 of its last 6 on the road
- Pittsburgh has allowed 0 goals in 3 of its last 5 home games
- The Over is 5-0 in Nashville’s last 5 road games
- The Under is 23-9-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 33 home games
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Reasons to bet Colorado: The Avalanche has won 6 of its last 7 road games. Dallas has scored just 11 goals in its last 6 games at home, where it’s lost 3 straight, and has not played since Sunday.
Reasons to bet Dallas: The Stars are 12-6-2 at home and have won 7 of their last 9 home games versus Colorado. The Avalanche has lost 3 of its last 4 games and 4 of 6.
Other things to know:
- Dallas beat Colorado 4-1 Nov. 5 in Dallas and 2-1 Nov. 1 in Colorado
- Dallas is 12-6-2 at home
- Colorado has scored 11 goals in its last 2 games after scoring 11 in its previous 5 games, excluding empty netters
- Colorado has allowed 13 goals in its last 3 games
- Dallas has allowed 15 goals in its last 3 games
- Dallas is 8-0-1 in its last 9 games on 3+ days rest and 13-2-1 in its last 16 home games on 3+ days rest
- The Under is 13-3-1 in Dallas’ last 17 games on 3+ days rest
Bet this game at Pinnacle – The best NHL odds online!
Reasons to bet Detroit: A break could have only been a good thing for the Red Wings, who have won just 9 of their first 38 games. Florida has lost 5 of its last 9 at home and could be without Ekblad.
Reasons to bet Florida: The Panthers look to atone for Monday’s 6-1 at Tampa. Detroit has been outscored 10-1 in the last 2 meetings, getting outshot 84-42 in the process.
Other things to know:
- Florida beat Detroit 4-0 Nov. 2 in Florida
- Detroit is 4-12-2 on the road
- Detroit has scored 4 goals in its last 3 road games and 10 goals in its last 5 games overall
- Detroit has allowed 4+ goals in 6 of its last 7 road games
- Detroit has not played since Sunday
- Florida has scored 13 goals in its last 2 home games
- Florida has allowed 2 goals or less in 5 of its last 7 home games, excluding empty netters
- The Under is 6-2-1 in Florida’s last 9 home games
Bet this game at Pinnacle – The best NHL odds online!
Reasons to bet Montreal: The Canadiens have won 6 of their last 8 games overall and 5 of 6 on the road. Tampa is just 9-7-2 in true home games this year.
Reasons to bet Tampa: The Lightning has won 6 of the last 7 meetings, and 4 straight in Tampa. Montreal has lost 13 of its last 19 games when playing on 3+ days rest.
Other things to know:
- Tampa beat Montreal 3-1 Oct. 15 in Montreal
- Both teams have been off since Monday
- Montreal is 10-5-3 on the road
- Montreal has scored 3+ goals in 4 straight games overall and 5 straight on the road
- Tampa has allowed 3 regulation time goals or less in 7 of its last 7 games
- Tampa scored 6 goals Monday against Florida after scoring 3 regulation time goals or less in 7 straight games
- Montreal has allowed 3 regulation time goals or less in 9 of its last 10 games
- The Under is 7-2 in Montreal’s last 9 games on 3+ days rest
- The Over is 18-7-1 in Tampa’s last 26 home games
- The Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings
Bet this game at Pinnacle – The best NHL odds online!
Reasons to bet Washington: The Capitals get their first chance at revenge for last year’s playoff loss to Carolina. The Hurricanes have been lit up for 16 goals against in their last 3 games, losing all 3.
Reasons to bet Carolina: The Hurricanes have recorded 40+ shots on net in 4 straight games, outshooting opponents by an average of 13 shots in those contests. Washington has scored 3 goals or less in 8 of its last 10 games, including last night’s 2-1 OT win over Columbus.
Other things to know:
- Washington is 16-4-1 on the road
- Washington has won 7 of its last 8 games as an underdog
- Washington has allowed 13 goals in its last 3 road games
- Carolina has scored 9 goals in its last 2 games and 3+ in 6 of its last 9
- Carolina is playing its second home game since Dec. 7
- Carolina has allowed 8 power play goals in its last 5 games
- Washington has 1 power play goal in its last 6 games
- Carolina has scored 4+ goals in 6 of its last 10 home games versus Washington
- Washington has won its last 5 games when playing on 0 days rest
- The Over is 22-10 in Washington’s last 32 games
Bet this game at Pinnacle – The best NHL odds online!
Reasons to bet Philadelphia: The Flyers have won their last 4 games and scored 14 goals in their last 3, excluding empty netters. San Jose blew a 2-0 third-period last night to lose 3-2 in OT to LA, the Sharks’ 10th loss in their last 11 games.
Reasons to bet San Jose: The Sharks should bring desperation in their final home game before a 5-game eastern road trip. Philadelphia has won just 2 of its last 13 trips to San Jose and 3 of the last 25 meetings overall.
Other things to know:
- Philadelphia is 8-9-1 on the road
- Philadelphia has allowed 1 goal in 3 of its last 4 games
- Philadelphia has allowed 18 regulation time goals in its last 4 road games
- San Jose has scored just 17 goals in its last 10 games, excluding empty netters
- San Jose has lost 6 of its last 7 games at home
- San Jose has lost 7 of its last 8 games on 0 days rest
- The Under is 6-2 in San Jose’s last 8 games
- The Over is 11-4 in Philadelphia’s last 15 games on 3+ days rest
- The Over is 11-4 in San Jose’s last 15 games on 0 days rest
- The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in San Jose
Bet this game at Pinnacle – The best NHL odds online!
Reasons to bet Arizona: The Coyotes have earned points in 7 of the last 8 meetings (4-1-3). Vegas has allowed 11 goals in its last 2 games and 4+ in 3 of its last 4.
Reasons to bet Vegas: The Golden Knights have scored 17 goals in their last 4 home games. Arizona has not played since Monday.
Other things to know:
- Arizona beat Vegas 4-1 Oct. 10 in Arizona
- Vegas beat Arizona 2-1 in a shootout Nov. 29 in Vegas
- Vegas has scored 5 regulation time goals in the last 4 meetings and 2 or less in 7 of the last 8
- Arizona has not allowed a power play goal in 5 straight games
- Vegas has won 5 of its last 7 games on 0 days rest
- The Under is 8-3 in Arizona’s last 11 road games
- The Under is 7-1 in Arizona’s last 8 games on 3+ days rest
- The Under is 8-2 in Vegas’ last 10 home games
- The Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings
Bet this game at Pinnacle – The best NHL odds online!
Reasons to bet LA: The Kings overcame a 2-0 third-period deficit to rally for a 3-2 OT win last night in San Jose, improving to 5-2-2 in their last 9 games. The Canucks have not played since Monday.
Reasons to bet Vancouver: The Canucks are 5-0-1 in the last 6 meetings, including 8-2 and 5-3 wins earlier this season. LA has just 6 wins in its first 23 road games.
Other things to know:
- Vancouver beat LA 5-3 Oct. 30 in LA and 8-2 Oct. 9 in Vancouver
- LA has scored 2 regulation time goals or less in 4 straight games
- LA is 4-0-2 in its last 6 road games
- Vancouver is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings in Vancouver and 7-2-1 in the last 10 overall
- Vancouver has scored 11 regulation time goals in its last 3 games, excluding empty netters
- Vancouver has won 4 of its last 5 at home and 5 of 6
- The Under is 20-9-4 in Vancouver’s last 33 games on 3+ days rest
- The Under is 18-7-1 in LA’s last 26 games