We have a loaded NHL slate with games throughout the entire day but we'll focus on the 11 games starting at 7 pm! It's been a weird schedule for the NHL this week but we're back in full force with almost the entire league in action on this beautiful Saturday!

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/14

After just a single game on last night's slate, we are rolling into a full slate of games! Blowouts and higher-scoring games seem to be the theme this week with 11 teams scoring at least four goals back on Thursday. This may lead to some upsets here and there but it's always encouraging from a prop perspective knowing we're dealing with a ton of open ice. 

Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Prediction: Saturday, December 14th

After a blazing hot start to the season, things have been a bit up and down for the Winnipeg Jets, who come having lost six of their last 10 games. Luckily, they have a soft matchup against the Montreal Canadiens to get back on track tonight. 

I have full faith that the Jets will get back to cruising altitude and push towards the playoffs. This is the type of matchup where they should dominate from start to finish, with a ton of shots on goal. 

This season, the Canadiens have allowed 62.78 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-worst in the league. This has been the theme for the Habs over the last several years, a lacking defense that presents a ton of value in the prop market for opposing teams. 

This brings me to Kyle Connor, who leads the Jets with a whopping 101 shots on goal. Not only does he lead the team, it's by a considerable margin as the next highest player is at only 70 shots on goal. Connor is the primary shooter for the Jets and with him coming off a game where he didn't have a single shot on goal, I love this as a bounceback spot for him. 

 

Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche Prediction: Saturday, December 14th

After a successful 4-1 road trip, the Colorado Avalanche returned home to face the Utah Hockey Club and dropped a 4-1 dud. The Avs' offense was rolling with at least three goals in four of those five road games, a level of production I expect them to return to tonight. 

They are up against the Nashville Predators, who are in the midst of a disastrous season considering some of the offseason moves they made. To this point in the year, the Predators have allowed 2.54 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 12th worst in the league. 

That doesn't bode well for the Predators considering the Avalanche offense is peaking over the last two weeks with 2.89 Goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-best in the league. 

We all know the offensive power the Avs have and that leads me to none other than Cale Makar. The former Norris Trophy winner has his sights set on another one this season and piling up the points is routine for him. With 36 points in 31 games this season, Makar has the most points of any defender in the league. 

TIme on the first power-play unit alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen always put Makar in a spot to pick up multiple points in any matchup. 

 

Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/14