What a day of sports! While there are a few NFL games and some college playoff games, we have a full slate of NHL action throughout the day! There's a ton of options to sort through, so let's jump in!

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/21

We're at a really solid part of the season where we know, for the most part, which teams are for real or not. This should allow us to find players who are truly consistent, giving us the best chances of cashing our bets. 

Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Philadelphia Flyers Prediction: Saturday, December 21st

I don't often write/bet about Philadelphia Flyers' players but Matvei Michkov is too good to pass up today. Maybe it's just me, but I have some internal fear that Flyers' coach, John Tortorella, will do his thing and simply bench a player for no reason and then my bet is dead. 

Today, I'm going against that instinct and trusting the up-and-coming rookie, Matvei Michkov. He has a great matchup against the Blue Jackets, he has a solid level of consistency, and the FLeyrs are on a three-game losing streak and need to get things going again. 

Over the last two weeks, the Blue Jackets have allowed 69.94 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-worst in the league. This has been a recurring theme for them over the last few seasons and it presents a ton of opportunities in the prop market for opposing teams. 

Michkov comes in with 24 shots on goal over his last 10 games, where he posted at least two shots seven times and went over this prop six times. We're getting some really nice plus money on a prop he's hit in four of his last five games – a trend he can certainly build on tonight. 

 

Seattle Kraken vs. Vegas Golden Knights Prediction: Saturday, December 21st

The Vegas Golden Knights continue to do their thing and sit atop the Pacific Division and tonight they will welcome in the Seattle Kraken, who are struggling on defense right now. 

Over the last two weeks, the Kraken have allowed a whopping 72.90 Total Shot Attempts per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league to only the San Jose Sharks. 

It hasn't been great for the Kraken and over that same time, the Golden Knights are generating 62.96 Total Shot Attempts in five-on-five situations. We have a matchup of two teams at the literal opposite ends of the spectrum for shot prevention/creation. 

Let's turn to Pavel Dorofeyev for over 2.5 shots. You might be saying, “who?”. Dorofeyev leads the Golden Knights in shots on goal this season with 96. It's not Jack Eichel, it's not Tomas Hertl, it's Dorofeyev leading the team. 

He comes in with at least two shots on goal in 10 straight games and at least three shots on goal in nine of 10 games. It's as consistent of a prop as we can possibly find. 

 

Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/21