Welcome to Saturday people, the weekend is here! Excited for what we have in store today though with another big slate around the NHL with 13 games! Some interesting matchups are set to go tonight as well with some teams that don't play all that often which can make for some funky odds, but let's take advantage!  One more day in the green awaits, I can feel it and for today I have three plays for you to dive into as well as another edition of the Dog of the Day! If you like the rationale then tail the picks, if you don't feel free to fade as sometimes the best bets are the ones not taken!

  • Season Record: 47-43-2
  • Bankroll: +1.12 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 2-2 (+1.00 Units)

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**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

NHL Best Bets for December 16

Buffalo Sabres at Arizona Coyotes

Two teams on a back to back and playing goalies they would prefer not to, sounds like a recipe for the sloppy game! The Coyotes are no push over at home either as they score 3.43 goals per game on home ice this season and will need to press without Connor Ingram in net tonight. Buffalo is no slouch on the road either as they have averaged 3.24 goals per game, 10th highest number in the league this season. The Sabres with such numbers have gone over the total in 10 of 17 games this season away from home and will be looking to do just that again. Count on each team to help the cause tonight as a 5-3 type of game seems very likely to me, bet the over in this matchup. 

Pick: Sabres & Coyotes Over 6.5 Goals (-115 on BetMGM)

 

New York Rangers at Boston Bruins

Always have to love a matchup of the original 6 when they come across the schedule and its even better when you have a bet to lay on the game! Each team played last night in games that got a bit out of hand by their usual standards, especially in the Bruins case. They blew a lead multiple times to the Islanders and went on to win in a 5-4 shootout. Those aren't games that Boston likes to be in and I think they hammer home the fundamentals tonight with Linus Ullmark in net. The Bruins have gone under in 15 of 28 games this season and allow just 2.54 goals per game, the 4th fewest in the NHL. The Rangers aren't far behind with 2.79 goals allowed and Igor Shesterkin will get the nod in net. Seems like a fun matchup but given the nature of these teams, I will be betting the under on the game total tonight. 

Pick: Rangers & Bruins Under 6.5 Goals (-115 on BetMGM)

 

Los Angeles Kings at Seattle Kraken

I don't feel like I really need to explain this pick for today but I will because I'm a nice guy and you want to see how the sausage is made. Let's start here, the Kings are 11-1-1 on the road this season, by far the best away mark of any team in the NHL this season. They are also a +29 in goal differential through 26 games which is just stellar. They should be starting Cam Talbot tonight, who is one of the NHL's best netminders this season with a 2.02 GAA and 12 wins under his belt. On the other end of the ice are the Kraken who allow 3.35 goals per game on home ice and are 6-10 straight up in their barn. Seems simple enough to me, ride the Kings to win and do so in regulation for better odds!

Pick: Los Angeles Kings 60-Min Money Line (-105 on Caesars)

 

NHL DOG OF THE DAY

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Toronto Maple Leafs (+125 on HardRock) Half Unit