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The 2021-22 NHL season heads into the holiday season and the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning have caught fire and are now right in the thick of the President’s Cup race with 42 points. Washington actually leads the NHL in points with 43. The biggest surprise of the new season thus far might be Anaheim which leads the Pacific Division. Colorado, the Cup favorite at most sportsbooks, is just fourth in the Central Division.
With the current wave of COVID-19, only 12 teams will be in action tonight. Four games were postponed. Here are the top five picks for Saturday, December 18, 2021.
LA Kings vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Best Bet: KINGS +135
The COVID outbreak will give the Kings a huge advantage tonight against the Hurricanes. Carolina will be without the likes of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and captain Jordan Stull.
The Kings have won three of their last four games. The only loss came to the Lightning and that was in overtime. Goaltender Jonathan Quick has four wins in his last five appearances.
Carolina is tough to beat at home, but in their recent win over Detroit three of the 16 Hurricanes skaters were making their NHL debut. Take the Kings for the upset.
Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Best Bet: UNDER 6
It’s pretty simple. These two teams are not very good, especially on offense. Both teams are in the bottom 8 in goals scored, however, both have been able to find the net recently. Philly has 17 goals in its last five games and Ottawa has 19 in its last five.
Defensively though, the Senators have tightened up. They are allowing just 2.2 goals per game in their last five. The Flyers have allowed just 13 goals in their last five.
This game will be a defensive battle by two offensive-challenged teams. Back the Under.
Toronto Maples Leafs vs. Vancouver Canucks
Best Bet: CANUCKS +115
This is another Saturday game where there is value on the underdog because of COVID. The Maple Leafs are tied with Tampa Bay with 42 points so far this season.
Vancouver has won six in a row since and will face a Toronto team without John Tavares, Jason Spezza, and Alex Kerfoot. Plus, the Canucks have averaged 3.5 goals per game in their six-game streak. That’s a full goal higher than their season average. Take the Canucks in the upset.
New Jersey Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings
Best Bet: RED WINGS -140
Neither of these teams is great on offense, but both know how to give them up. New Jersey ranks seventh-worst in goals against and Detroit is eighth-worst.
The Devils are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and are on the road tonight. Detroit is actually sitting in the second wild card spot in the East. Playing at home, take the Red Wings to win.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Seattle Kraken
Best Bet: OVER 6
Edmonton heads to Seattle thankful to get away from home. The Oilers just went 1-6 in a seven-game home stand.
Seattle is just 1-3-1 in their last five games and they gave up 19 goals in the process. The Oilers have the top two point producers in the league and Edmonton has given up 16 goals in their last five games. With two defenses that are suspect and Edmonton’s offensive talent, take the Over.
