NHL Daily Gambling Preview – 12/31/21

Amazing night yesterday on the NHL, going 7-1 winning 5.16 units for the third winning night in a row coming out of Christmas break. Canucks lose in a five round shootout for my only loss on the night. Today there’s a four game slate spread through the day, let’s close the year out great!

Devils vs. Oilers (1:00)

The NJ Devils got off their six game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 4-3 win in Buffalo, just their second win in their last twelve games to go to 11-15-5 on the season. NJ sucks this year. They’re averaging a tenth fewest 2.74 goals per game and allowing an average of 3.36 goals per game, seventh most in the NHL. The Oilers came out of the break Wednesday night with a 4-2 loss in St. Louis to go to 18-12 on the year. They suck defensively as well, allowing an average of 3.13 goals per game, eleventh most in the NHL. Their McDavid and Draisaitl lead offense is electric though, averaging a seventh most 3.37 goals per game. I think this is a perfect get right spot for the Oilers who have been struggling a bit the last month. I’ll take Edmonton ML for a unit, the over 6.5 for half a unit and the Oilers TT over 3.5 for half a unit.

Golden Knights vs. Ducks (3:00)

Vegas has hit their stride in December now that they’re all healthy. Coming out of the Christmas break they got a no doubter 6-3 win in LA for their ninth win in their last eleven games, bringing them to 21-12 on the season and ahead of the Ducks by a point for first place in the Pacific Division. Their offense is incredible (and will get even more deadly when Eichel eventually makes his Golden Knights debut), scoring the fourth most goals in the NHL, an average of 3.55 goals per game while allowing an average of 3.06 goals per game. The Ducks lost 2-1 in overtime in Vancouver coming out of the break on Wednesday in a great game but they’ve been very impressive on the season as well at 17-9-7. The biggest surprise of the year. Their offense is averaging 3.09 goals per game lead by their young core players and allowing a tenth fewest 2.67 goals per game. These teams have already played twice this year, both high scoring one goal games that the home team won. Vegas beat the Ducks 5-4 in a shootout in October and then the Ducks won 6-5 at home on December 1st. I feel like i have to keep riding the overs on these games so I’ll take that for half a unit and I’ll take the Knights for a unit.

Lightning vs. Rangers (7:00)

Last night the Bolts got completely embarrassed by their cross state rival Panthers 9-3. You take away their top two goalies who are both still on the COVID list. That means that they’re stuck with their AHL goalies. Tampa’s been very good on the season with a 21-7-4 record. They’re averaging 3.25 goals per game, tenth most in the NHL and they’re allowing an average of 2.84 goals per game. That’s with Vas getting most of their starts in net though and not Hugo Alnefelt, their AHL backup who is currently projected to start tonight. The Rangers are also a very good team, who despite losing four of their last five games are still a very respectable 19-8-4. They’re averaging 2.84 goals per game and they’re allowing a sixth fewest average of 2.58. Tonight they are starting their likely Vezina candidate Igor Shesterkin in goal and because of that with them going up against the Bolt’s fourth string goalie (or third string if Legace starts instead) on the second half of a back to back, I love the Rags here. I’ll take the Rangers for a unit and a half, the Rangers TT over 2.5 for two and a half units, the Rangers alternate puck line -1.5 for a half unit and the over for a unit and a half. Hammering this game.

UPDATE: Somehow Brian Elliott just got confirmed in goal even though he just got put on COVID protocol four days ago along with Vasilevskiy…I still like all of these bets but would probably scale them down a little bit. I already put mine in and don’t think they’re worth buying out of, but if I hadn’t I’d probably scale it down to Rangers for a unit, Rangers TT over 2.5 for two units, no puck line and the over for just a unit. But whatever, let’s win these anyway.

Red Wings vs. Capitals (7:30)

This game is a little bit lopsided to me when I’m looking at the stat sheets. The Capitals are 19-6-7 on the season with five wins in their last eight games, including a 5-3 win against Nashville coming out of the break on Wednesday night. The Caps are averaging the fifth most goals in the NHL, an average of 3.47 goals per game and allowing the seventh fewest goals in the league, an average of 2.59 per game. Detroit has improved from last year at 15-13-3, but they still aren’t a very good team. They’ve only won two of their last six games and haven’t played hockey since December 18th. The Wings are averaging 2.81 goals per game but are allowing a seventh most 3.36 goals per game. These teams have met twice so far this season and split those games with the road team winning each time, a 3-2 Red Wings win on October 27th in overtime and a 2-0 Caps shutout win on November 11th. I like the Caps to win this one again on the road tonight and will take them for a unit. I’d lean the over as well but not enough to bet on it.

Game Bets

1u Oilers ML (-150)

.5u Oilers TT over 3.5 (-113)

.5u Oilers/Devils over 6.5 (-120)

1u Vegas ML (-185)

.5u Vegas/Ducks over 6 (-110)

1.5u Rangers ML (+100)

.5u Rangers -1.5 (+240)

2.5u Rangers TT over 2.5 (-167)

1.5u Rangers/Lightning over 6 (-120)

1u Capitals ML (-170)

Record (Regular Season): 222-180-10 (-14.26 units)