NHL Best Bets Today, 12/11: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
Hello and welcome everyone to the Wednesday edition of the NHL Best Bets on December 11th, 2024! It's been a solid start to this week of NHL predictions for me as I went 1-1 on Monday and will now look to this 2-game slate to find some more winners!
I homed in on the Ducks and Senators matchup as the numbers looked the most promising so check out my breakdown for that game below!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/11
In this NHL Best Bets Today article you will find a wide array of choices from some Money Lines and Team totals to plenty of player props for the action today in NHL Picks! 2 games on this weekday slate!
Now, let's dive into my expert NHL Best Bets today!
- Regular Season Record: 89-70-1
- Bankroll: +9.6 Units
Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10
Ducks vs. Senators Prediction: Wednesday, December 11th
With just a two-game slate tonight I had to dig into the numbers and what I came up with was a pair of player props for this game tonight as the Ducks travel to Canada's capital to take on the Senators!
The home team tonight is one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL at home this season at 3.47 goals per game, which ranks 8th right now. They also pile on the shots with nearly 32 taken per game and that’s 4th most in the league! Expect the Senators to let it fly tonight especially when you factor in the Ducks trends.
Anaheim is not as bad of a team overall as I expected this season, but their total defense is severely lacking in many categories, most of all shots against per game. On the road this season the Ducks are allowing a whopping 34.9 shots per game, the 2nd most in the NHL and seeing as that trend is holding firm it gives way to a pair of props.
The first is John Gibson or Lukas Dostal to go over on their saves tonight. The Ducks haven’t announced their starter yet but both goalies have been good and are sure to face over 30 shots tonight.
The second prop is taking the over on Brady Tkachuk shots tonight. Tkachuk leads the Senators in shots with 4.33 shots on goal per game. His number is juiced up to 4.5 for shots but I am willing to make the risk given the matchup!
- Expert Ducks vs. Senators Picks:
- Brady Tkachuk (OTT) Over 4.5 Shots On Goal (+110 on DraftKings)
- Lukas Dostal/John Gibson (ANA) Over 27.5 Saves (-120 on DraftKings)
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Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.