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
Gabriel Arias was carted off the field during Sunday’s game against the Cardinals with an apparent left ankle injury.
It didn’t look good when Arias got his left leg trapped awkwardly underneath his full body weight while attempting to make a sliding grab to his right at shortstop during the third inning of Sunday afternoon’s contest. There should be an update on the 25-year-old indfielder’s status at some point shortly.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters Bryce Harper (wrist) could potentially return at some point early next week.
Thomson didn’t dismiss the possibility that Harper could be activated for Monday’s series opener against the Padres. It certainly sounds like he’ll be ready to return to Philadelphia’s lineup at some point in the coming days after progressing to taking on-field batting practice and going through his full pregame routine the last few days. The 32-year-old fantasy superstar has been out since early June recovering from right wrist inflammation.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Kelly Oubre Jr. has picked up his play option for the 2025-26 season.
Sunday was deadline day for Oubre, who has decided to exercise his player option worth $8.4 million. The veteran wing has provided solid value in both seasons with the 76ers, most recently averaging 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 three-pointers per game in 2024-25. While Oubre did offer solid fantasy value last season, the 76ers stand to be deeper on the perimeter next season with Jared McCain (knee) being healthy and lottery pick VJ Edgecombe joining the team. Also, the 76ers are expected to do whatever they can to re-sign Quentin Grimes once he hits restricted free agency on Monday.
Hunter Goodman (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Brewers.
Goodman takes a seat for the fourth straight game as he continues to battle a lingering hamstring issue. The 25-year-old backstop remains day-to-day at the moment. There should be a clearer picture concerning whether he’ll require a trip to the injured list following Monday’s off-day ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Astros. It’ll be rookie Braxton Fulford continuing to handle the catching duties in his absence.
Reds released 1B/3B Jeimer Candelario.
There wasn’t a team out there willing to pick up the remaining portion of Candelario’s original three-year, $45 million contract with Cincinnati, so he’s officially headed to the open market after clearing waivers. The 31-year-old veteran infielder hit just .113/.198/.213 with two homers in 91 plate appearances over 22 games this season before the Reds ultimately decided to move on. There should be an opportunity out there for him somewhere else. His track record suggest he’s far from finished in the big leagues, but he’s more of a reclamation project for another organization than an instant impact offensive injection.
Dodgers recalled RHP Noah Davis from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Davis provides Los Angeles with a fresh bullpen arm heading into Sunday’s game against Kansas City. The 28-year-old righty has made four relief appearances this season in the big leagues. He’ll continue operating in middle relief for the Dodgers.