NHL Best Bets and Betting Picks: December 14th
Welcome to Thursday people, the weekend is almost here! Excited for what we have in store today though with another big slate around the NHL with 8 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: 45-42-2
- Bankroll: +0.57 units
- Dog of the Day Record: 2-1 (+1.50 Units)
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**all bets are one unit unless specifically mentioned.
NHL Best Bets for December 14
Carolina Hurricanes at Detroit Red Wings
These two teams are more similar then you would think this season and it unusual but true nonetheless. Each team runs on the back of their offenses as the Red Wings average 3.79 goals per game and the Hurricanes 3.25, this is fully needed because of their lack of defensive play. Each team allows nearly 3.3 goals per game and that's not crazy for Detroit but very weird for a Carolina team in the past few seasons. I like a bet in this game though that backs goals and its more on the Carolina side. Ville Husso is starting for the Red Wings and he's terrible, 3.67 GAA terrible and the Canes need one tonight. I think they can top their team total of 3.5 goals this evening, it could be close but I see them scoring 4-5 goals tonight.
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes Team Total Over 3.5 Goals (-108 on BetRivers)
Florida Panthers at Vancouver Canucks
Unlike the first pick of the best bets, here we have two teams that really have it together on defensive end of the ice. The Panthers allow just 2.38 goals per game on the road this season, the 3rd lowest average in the NHL and have gone under the total in in 9 of 15 road games this season. On the home side the Canucks continue to be one of the best teams in NHL on both sides of the game but the defense is amazing. They have given up just 2.13 goals per game on home ice this season, 2nd best in the NHL and their top goaltender is in line to get the start. For those that don't know that's Thatcher Demko and his 2.42 GAA and 2 shutouts this season. I think its a tight and competitive game but 6.5 goals just seems like too much given this matchup, let's take the under.
Pick: Panthers & Canucks Under 6.5 Goals (-115 on BetMGM)
Calgary Flames at Minnesota Wild
Two teams passing by in the night of the NHL standings right now as the Flames are sinking lower and lower and the Wild are on their way back up! The Wild were horrible in October and November, no doubt about it but since firing their coach they have found their game. They have now won 5 of their last 7 games with loses coming on the road to the Canucks and Oilers which is forgivable but now they get the Flames who are awful on the road allowing 3.81 goals per game. Calgary is also 5-11 straight up on the Money Line as the away side this season. Looks like they may trot out Dustin Wolf again too as the starting goaltender with his 1-3 record and 3.45 GAA. All aboard the Minnesota Money Line express!
Pick: Minnesota Wild Money Line (-150 on Caesars)
NHL DOG OF THE DAY
Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers (+125 on Bet365) Half Unit
Player News
Brewers optioned RHP Easton McGee to Triple-A Nashville.
McGee has made four appearances with the Brewers this season, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 5/3 K/BB ratio over six innings of work. No word yet on a corresponding move just yet, the Brewers will ride it out over the All-Star break before setting their roster before opening the second half of the season against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Friday.
Brewers activated OF Blake Perkins from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Nashville.
Time had run out on Perkins’ minor league rehab assignment so they needed to activate him from the 60-day injured list. He’ll remain at Triple-A Nashville, where he had been rehabbing, until the Brewers have a need for an extra outfielder.
Brewers designated OF Drew Avans for assignment.
The Brewers needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the return of Blake Perkins from the 60-day injured list and unfortunately Avans drew the short straw this time around. It seems likely that the 29-year-old outfielder will pass through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as extra outfield depth for the Brewers.
Tigers signed RHP Geoff Hartlieb to a minor league contract.
The 31-year-old hurler elected free agency from the Yankees on Friday and it didn’t take him long to find another viable opportunity with a contender. He’ll report to Triple-A Toledo to begin his Tigers’ tenure, but don’t be surprised to see him in Motown shortly after the All-Star break.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, at least eight teams have reached out to the White Sox to express interest in acquiring Luis Robert Jr.
The dynamic 27-year-old outfielder is having a brutal season offensively, slashing .189/.275/.322 with nine homers, 34 RBI and 22 stolen bases. The common assumption though is that he just needs a change of scenery. Heyman didn’t note any of the teams that have checked in, but expect it to be a who’s who of contenders in both leagues.
Egor Demin accumulated 12 points (4-of-13 FGs), four rebounds, four assists, one steal and four three-pointers in Sunday’s loss to the Wizards.
While Demin’s overall field goal percentage on Sunday left something to be desired, 10 of his 13 attempts came from beyond the arc. He made four, a solid percentage for a player who shot 27.3 percent from beyond the arc during his lone season at BYU. With Nolan Traoré (7/6/3) and Ben Saraf (7/2/6/1/1) coming off the bench, the Nets relied on veteran Tristan Etienne to run the show, and the change made the team more competitive than they were on Friday. That will be something to watch the rest of the summer, especially with the Nets losing D’Angelo Russell in free agency.