NHL Best Bets Today, 12/20: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday
Hello and welcome everyone to the Friday edition of the NHL Best Bets on December 20th, 2024! We are back again today after going 6-1 in yesterday’s NHL picks in a slate in which we absolutely demolished the books!
The NHL has given us a chance to follow up on that epic day with 7 games to target for today's NHL best bets so check them out below and let’s stay hot!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/20
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!
Now, let's dive into my expert NHL Best Bets today!
- Regular Season Record: 103-77-1
- Bankroll: +13.6 Units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10
Hurricanes vs. Capitals Prediction: Friday, December 20th
It’s a big-time matchup in the Metropolitan Division tonight as first place is up for grabs between the Hurricanes & Capitals! I see this game going a specific way from a wagering angle though and it's not supporting these two efficient offenses.
The Hurricanes for what feels like over the past 5 years have been one of the very best defensive sides in the game and this season is no different. They are allowing just 2.77 goals against per game which grades out to 7th best in the NHL and their goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov ranks 14th in goaltenders that have made at least 15 starts this season in goals saved above expected.
On the Capitals side of things, it's much of the same with them ranked 6th best in goals against per game allowing just 2.68 goals per game. Their top goalie Logan Thomson ranks 9th in the same parameters as Kochetkov in goals saved above expected at 9.01! This game should probably have a total of 5.5 for tonight but instead it's 6 so I will take that value and bet on the under.
- Expert Hurricanes vs. Capitals Picks:
- Carolina vs. Washington Under 6 Goals (-120 on DraftKings)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/20
- Florida Panthers Puck Line -1.5 (-115 on DraftKings)
- Toronto Maple Leafs Money Line (-150 on DraftKings)
- Wyatt Johnston (DAL) Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (-145 on DraftKings)
Player News
Nationals placed INF Luis García Jr. on the paternity list.
García figures to miss the next three days. Amed Rosario will probably get at least a couple of starts in his place against the Braves.
Nationals recalled INF/OF Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester.
Lipscomb was up briefly last month and went 2-for-4. The 25-year-old is being groomed as a utility player by the Nationals; he’s started at least four games at first, second, third and in left field while hitting .283/.362/.380 in Triple-A this season.
Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson said he won’t play in 2025 under his current contract.
Hendrickson showed up in street clothes at the Bengals’ offseason practice Tuesday and spoke to reporters about his contract dispute with the team. Hendrickson, who has reportedly had “no communication” with the Bengals front office this offseason, said he would refuse to suit up under his current deal, which includes a $15.8 million base salary for 2025. He did not say whether he would sit out training camp or regular season games. Hendrickson reportedly wants upwards of $30 million as he enters his age-31 season. He could be traded in the coming weeks, though that could prove tricky for the Bengals considering they want a first-round pick in exchange for the excellent pass rusher. Pro Football Focus graded Hendrickson as the NFL’s fifth best pass rusher in 2024.
Paul Skenes has announced that he will pitch for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic
Skenes has pitched for Team USA in two other tournaments during his career and actually spent two years at the Air Force Academy. He is arguably the best pitcher in baseball right now and will partner with arguably the best hitter in baseball right now, Aaron Judge, to lead Team USA in what figures to be an extremely competitive WBC tournament in 2026.
White Sox LHP prospect Hagen Smith (fatigue) will have his workload managed at Double-A Birmingham.
Hagen Smith’s velocity fluctuated in his last outing, and the White Sox were cautious about him showing some signs of fatigue. They shortened his last outing and will skip his next start to help him manage his workload in his first full professional season. Everything is fine with Smith from a medical perspective, but this is a good reminder that Smith is an immense talent, but fantasy managers shouldn’t expect a major impact this season as he adjusts to professional baseball.
Paul Blackburn (knee) will make his final rehab start for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday
Blackburn has already made four rehab starts, so he will need to be reinstated from the injured list after his start on Friday. As of now, there is no room in the Mets’ rotation, so the most likely outcome is that Blackburn would serve as a multi-inning reliever, which could bump Dedniel Nunez back to the minors.