NHL Best Bets Today, 12/15: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Sunday
We have a five-game slate to close out the week and it's filled with some solid matchups to attack. There are a number of teams on the second night of a back-to-back, and a few good teams are coming off of losses.
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/15
We finished yesterday with a 2-2 record, and while one of the wins was some solid plus money, we forge forward today. We're still seeing some big upsets and big comebacks, but that is expected at this point of the season.
New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks Prediction: Friday, December 15th
There's a bit of news for the New York Islanders and while it presents some uncertainty in their lineup, we can still find options to trust against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Isles could be without their top center Bo Horvat, but could be getting Mathew Barzal back, who has been out since October 30th. Regardless of who is in or out of the lineup for the Islanders, it's just a great matchup for them to pile up the shots and goals.
This season, the Blackhawks allowed 62.56 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-worst in the league. This is where we turn to Anders Lee, who comes in leading the Islanders with 94 shots on goal through 31 games, or 3.03 per game.
With time on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, there's no reason Lee shouldn't be pushing the offense tonight against this weak defense.
- Expert Picks Islanders at Blackhawks
- Anders Lee Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+104 on FanDuel)
Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction: Sunday, December 15th
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost three of their last five games and they need to right the ship against a dreadful Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have lost nine straight games and are a complete mess on defense. This season, they have allowed 2.67 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the eighth-worst in the league.
However, that number has jumped to a whopping 3.66 Goals in the same situations since the start of December, which is the fourth-worst in the league. They have gotten even worse on defense and the Leafs with a 3.6 implied goal total should be able to jump all over them.
This leads me to John Tavares for a goal tonight up at +200. It's a solid price considering the team total and the role he plays, along with the fact he hasn't scored over his last four games, despite time on the second forward line and the first power-play unit.
- Expert Picks Sabres vs. Maple Leafs
- John Tavares To Score a Goal (+200 on FanDuel)
Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/15
- Andrei Svechnikov Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+138 on FanDuel)
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.