Welcome back from the NHL holiday break to all of you sports bettors out there! I hope the NBA and NFL did you well while we were away I know I don't stop betting just because a sport takes a break. What a return slate we have in store for tonight as the NHL has given us 14 games to poke through and find some winners! In today's article you will find a game total, a pair of Money Line wagers and of course the Dog of the Day is back. 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: 53-50-2
  • Bankroll: +1.09 units
  • Dog of the Day Record: 3-4 (+0.85 Units)

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**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.

NHL Best Bets for December 27

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning

The NHL battle of Florida renews once again tonight as the Panthers take on the Lightning! Each team is in the thick of playoff contention right now but they didn't get here in ways you would think. Starting with Tampa Bay they leaned on their offense through the fall and early winter with their star goaltender out in Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Panthers relied on great defense to this point compared to past season and scoring lots of goals. These trends continue for the Panthers as they have gone under in 12 of 18 road games this season and allow 2.44 goals against away from home. This has me looking at the game total and the under and while the Lightning score often they should slow down with their man back in the net and the fact they allow 2.75 goals per game at home. 6.5 goals is the total for this evening and I don't see an over so let's wager on the under. 

Pick: Panthers & Lightning Under 6.5 Goals (+100 on BetMGM)

 

Dallas Stars at St. Louis Blues

To stick with the holiday themes right now the Blues are the fraud Grinch of the season for me as they have won games they had no business winning and stealing money from the good people of the NHL betting community. No longer I say as the Stars come to town with their road record of 10-3-3! Yes the Blues are 10-5 straight up at home this season and they are scoring 4.7 goals per game over the past 30 days at home but its just not sustainable. The Blues are 6th to last in xGF/60 this season which means they are due for some regression big time and their -11 goal differential is another important factor. As for the Stars they are the real deal and a Cup contender, they should roll a team much less deep than them and the books agree as they are a heavy favorite, even on the road tonight. 

Pick: Dallas Stars Money Line (-160 on Caesars)

 

Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators

Of all the teams in the NHL, nobody needed the holiday break and reset like the Hurricanes as they stumble into 2024 having lost 7 of their last 10 games. Chin up though Canes fans, this team hasn't seen its full potential just yet and it should happen at any moment. The underlying stats are very good, 1st in Corsi For % at 60.48% and the only team above the 60 mark there. They are 3rd in xGF/60 behind just the Kings and Oilers, great company and are long overdue for more consistent goaltending. This makes them dangerous moving forward and given their line tonight I think the books think so too as they are road favorites over an impressive Nashville team thus far. I will eat the juice though as the Canes start to rally and it begins tonight. 

Pick: Carolina Hurricanes Money Line (-130 on DraftKings)

DOG OF THE DAY

Seattle Kraken Money Line vs Calgary Flames (+125 on BetMGM)