Written by Scott on Monday, December 23rd, 2024
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The Oilers beat the Sens 3-1 snapping the Sens win streak at 6 games. The Panthers scored twice on the same penalty kill and beat the Lightning 4-2.
Last day of hockey before the Christmas Break. And it’s a full day of games starting at 1:00 pm and the last starting at 10:00 pm. After today’s games there will be no NHL action until Friday.
From Graeme and myself we wish you a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate just be happy and enjoy the time with family and friends.
Rangers vs Devils
They last played on December 2nd and the Devils won that one 5-1.
Rangers played and lost yesterday and are 3-7-0 in last 10. They are 9-7 on the road.
The Devils are playing ok in last 10 going 6-3-1 and 10-6-3 on home ice. I do like the Devils to win here and it has to be in regulation. One strange stat I saw is that the Rangers have had only 1 game go to overtime this season and that was the 2nd game of the year back on October 12th against Utah.
So if the Devils are to win it “should” be in regulation as the Rangers don’t play past the 3rd period. The metrics all are on the Devils side. They are scoring more and allowing less. Better numbers in both Corsi and Fenwick and their expected goal numbers are both better than the Rangers.
Devils win in regulation
Ontario: 1.80 Odds at 888 Sports.
Rest of Canada: 1.80 Odds at 888 Sports.
USA: -140 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.80 Odds at 888 Sports.
(Odds correct as of 2024/12/23 8:27:03 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Jets vs Leafs
The Jets are still in 1st in the Central and seem to be getting back on track winning 3 of their last 4.
The Leafs have also won 3 of their last 4 and are in 1st in the Atlantic.
Both teams have had good starts to the season. The Jets have turned things around after they had a mini slump going on and the Leafs are playing well despite the rumor that Matthews is dealing with a lingering injury.
The data is fairly close for both teams which complicates this even more.
Blues vs Wings
Both teams on losing skids so it’s an easy pass for me.
Lightning vs Panthers
This should be a good game. They just played each other yesterday and the Panthers won 4-2. Although the home location has changed the game is still in the same state so travel wasn’t a huge issue for these teams.
But I have to pass with them playing each yesterday. Both have had similar results in last 10
Flyers vs Penguins
Flyers are 15-15-4 this season and in 5th in the Metro. The Penguins are 15-15-5 and in 4th in the Metro.
As we can see these teams have had similar results up to this point.
I could see this game going either way. The sportsbooks have the Pens as the favorites but their 9-7-2 home record doesn’t give me enough confidence to make it a tip.
Canadiens vs Jackets
Habs on a 3 game win streak but they have a bad road record going 4-9-1 away from Montreal.
The Jackets are 2-5-3 in last 10. They are in 8th place in the Metro.
The Jackets are favored here which is strange to see. Not really a fan of either teams play this season so I’m skipping.
Capitals vs Bruins
Caps are still doing well without Ovechkin. They are 7-2-1 and in 2nd in the Metro. Crazy turn around from last year where they barely got into the playoffs.
Bruins are also 7-2-1 in last 10 and 10-6-2 at home. They are allowing more goals than they score which isn’t something that’s going to get you many wins.
It’s tough to call a winner when both teams have gone 7-2-1 in last 10 and are positioned well in their divisions.
Sabres vs Islanders
The Sabres are a huge pile of shit right now losing 13 games in a row. Clearly I’m not taking them.
The Isles are a team that hasn’t shown me much this season as they are 13-14-7. But now they are taking on the Sabres who’s shitty play has put the in last place overall in the league.
I feel like I have to take the Isles here, they are shooting more and allowing less and same thing with the goals. If the Sabres win and snap their losing streak after 13 games then so be it. But gotta kick them when they’re down. It’s just slightly below our minimum but I’m still going with it
Isles win incl OT/SO
Ontario: 1.67 Odds at Sports Interaction
Rest of Canada: 1.67 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: -145 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.66 Odds at Sports Interaction
(Odds correct as of 2024/12/23 8:27:03 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Blackhawks vs Wild
The Hawks have won 3 of 4 but come into this game after a loss to the Flames who had 6 different players score.
The Wild are on a 4 game skid and have a 5-4-2 record against teams from the Central.
I can’t back the Hawks here. To get any value on the Wild we would need to take them -1.5 and with them on a 4 game skid I can’t do that.
Hurricanes vs Predators
Canes played yesterday and beat the Rangers. With Kochetkov getting the start it looks like the Canes are going with Tokarski in goal. He picked up his first win of the season in his first game of the year.
Not touching Predators.
With Canes playing yesterday and Tokarski likely getting the start I’m avoiding this game.
Sharks vs Canucks
Easy skip here.
Sharks have lost their last 4 games and are 3-6-1 in last 10.
Canucks have dropped their last 3 and are 3-3-4 last 10.
Also there seems to be some behind the scenes bullshit going on with the Canucks where people are saying Miller and Pettersson have some sort of rift going on.
Too much drama so I’m out.
Stars vs Utah
Stars are 5-5 in last 10. They haven’t been the greatest on the road going 6-8. Against teams from the Central though they have been good going 8-3.
Utah played yesterday and lost 5-4 in a shootout to the Ducks.
I like the Stars to win here but to get any value it has to be in regulation and their road record doesn’t help that play.
Ducks vs Knights
They last played each other on December 4th and the Knights won 4-1.
Ducks played yesterday and won 5-4 in a shootout.
Knights are on a 3 game win streak, are 8-2 in last 10 and have gone 13-3-0 at home.
The Knights have better CF, CA, both Fenwicks, SF/60, SA/60, GF, GA and expected goals for and against.
I feel like the Knights at home should handle this game with ease.
Knights -1.5
Ontario: 1.83 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Rest of Canada: 1.83 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: -125 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.83 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2024/12/23 8:27:03 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Good write up! Taking bruins, stars and devils in various ways.
Wish me luck and goodluck to anyone who reads this. 🙂
Merry Christmas