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
Will Benson went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer Friday as the Reds edged the Guardians 5-4.
The Reds got all of their runs in the first three innings and then held on as the Guardians scored in the fourth, fifth and eighth. Benson’s homer started the scoring in the second, as he took an awful Tanner Bibee slider 361 feet to right field. He also homered and knocked in three runs Thursday against the White Sox, and he’s 7-for-18 with a 2/3 K/BB ratio in six games since being recalled last week. He’ll stay in the lineup until he coola off, and he’ll probably remain on the roster over Rece Hinds once Jake Fraley comes off the injured list.
Brady Singer worked five innings and allowed three runs in a win over the Guardians on Friday.
Singer allowed three hits, walked three and struck out four. He’s totaled only seven strikeouts in three starts this month, so he’s looking like a fairly weak option in mixed leagues right now. Fortunately, he is facing the Pirates next, and he wouldn’t be a bad play in that one.
Emilio Pagán protected a one-run lead with a perfect ninth Friday against the Guardians.
Pagán, who gave up runs in three of his previous four appearances, had no margin for error today, yet he didn’t need it in getting a flyout, a groundout and a strikeout. It’s his 10th save in 12 chances.
Tanner Bibee gave up five runs — four earned — and 10 hits in six innings Friday in a loss to the Reds.
Bibee bounced back nicely after giving up all five runs and eight hits in the first three innings, but the damage was done in what turned out to be a 5-4 loss. With four strikeouts today, he still hasn’t fanned more than five batters in any of his nine starts this season. He’s keeping the Guardians in games with his 4.06 ERA, but his ceiling seems so much lower than it did last year. He’ll face the Twins next.
Will Brennan went 0-for-3 and grounded into a double play in Friday’s loss to the Reds.
Brennan has gone 0-for-8 while starting three of four games since his callup Monday. While not a massive liability, Brennan is up to 862 big-league plate appearances during which he has shown very little in the way of upside. He’s sporting a career line of .267/.306/.373, giving him a 90 OPS+, and he’s average at best defensively in right.
Rangers’ manager Bruce Bochy told reporters that both Luke Jackson (hand) and Chris Martin (elbow) could be available out of the bullpen on Friday.
The Rangers have been without their two highest leverage relievers for most of the week, so getting either of them back would be a big boost for their series opener against the Astros on Friday night. If neither one makes it back though, expect Shawn Armstrong to be the preferred option in the ninth inning once again.