Welcome to Christmas eve week and happy holidays to everyone! What better way to offset some holiday shopping with some winning picks to put some money back in your pocket? This week will feature some big time slates around the NHL but is not one of those night with just 4 games. Fear not though as Santa Wags still has some action to wet the beak including a plus money underdog and a game total! 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: 52-49-2
  • Bankroll: +1.09 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 3-4 (+0.85 Units)

Follow me on twitter @jwaggs10

**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

NHL Best Bets for December 22

Boston Bruins vs Winnipeg Jets

Its a rare matchup tonight as the Bruins only head to Winnipeg once a season to take on the Jets! This figures to be a fun one if you like defense and goaltending as each team allows 2.57 and 2.58 goals per game respectively. On the offensive end the Bruins score just 3.07 goals on the road this season, in the bottom half of the NHL while the Jets at home score 3.35 but they will be without their top player in Kyle Connor who is on injured reserve. The goaltenders tonight will be Jeremy Swayman with his 2.06 GAA and Connor Hellebuyck with his 2.43 GAA. The numbers speak for themselves but on the betting front the Bruins have gone under in 16 of 30 games this season while the Jets have gone under in 10 of 17 home games. Smells like an under bet to me tonight for this one. 

Pick: Bruins & Jets Under 6 Goals (-140 on BetMGM)

 

Philadelphia Flyers at Detroit Red Wings

I went into today thinking I would be betting on the Red Wings tonight but after seeing everything I have totally flipped sides. The Flyers on the road this season have just been so good with a 10-4-2 record and allowing just 2.38 goals per game, the 2nd best rate in the NHL. They will also have the goaltending advantage as Carter Hart has given up 2 of fewer goals in his last 3 start and has a GAA of 2.42 on the season. The Red Wings will be sending out James Reimer who is better than Ville Husso but not by much with a 2-7 record this year straight up. Detroit is also sliding on a 4 game losing streak coming into tonight and I think that slide continues with a win at plus money for the Flyers

Pick: Philadelphia Flyers Money Line (+115 on Caesars)