NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (12/14)
Let’s break down some key matchups today in the NHL. Below are our top NHL picks & predictions for Sunday, December 14th.
Sunday’s NHL Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Vancouver Canucks (-125) at New Jersey Devils (+105) | O/U 5.5 (-110/-110)
The trajectory of the Devils’ season has drastically changed since the beginning of the year. They started 8-1-0 and looked like a top competitor in the Eastern Conference, but they are 10-12-1 since. The biggest struggle is their offense, which has averaged 2.50 points per game (30th) since October 28th. A reason for this is the loss of Jack Hughes, who had to undergo surgery on his finger and will be out until January. Unfortunately, the offense has taken another hit as it was announced that Timo Meier will miss time due to a personal issue.
The Canucks are in the middle of a brutal run as they come in 3-10-2 in their last 15. They are also dealing with injuries to Elias Pettersson, Filip Chytil and the recently acquired Marco Rossi. They need a potent offense, given the questionable blue line, and for goalie Thatcher Demko to stay on the ice. He missed most of last season and was sidelined this year, recently returning to the lineup, allowing three goals in a loss to Buffalo.
Even with both teams missing some of their top skaters, this could be a higher-scoring game. Each defense is allowing nearly 30 shots per game and ranks in the bottom seven in penalty kills.
Pick: Over 5.5 Goals (-110)
Utah Mammoth (-142) at Pittsburgh Penguins (+120) | O/U 6.5 (+105/-125)
In a tightly contested Eastern Conference, the Penguins are in the playoff hunt. They are currently tied for the last Wild Card position, but are only six points behind the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. They've had bouts of inconsistency this season, and while they’ve earned three points in their last four games, they haven't secured a win. The organization decided it needed to make a move. Despite Tristan Jarry allowing 2.66 goals per game, they traded him to Edmonton in return for Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner.
The Mammoth started this season playing very well, going 8-2-0 in their first 10 games, but they have since plummeted, going 7-14-3. They will now have to continue without one of their best goal scorers in Logan Cooley, who leads the team with 14 goals, as he was placed on injured reserve (IR). Cooley’s injury hurts an already struggling offense that is averaging 2.77 goals per game (22nd) since October 29th.
It’s surprising to see the Penguins as a home underdog. This is likely because they played the night before and choked away a 5-1 lead in the third period to San Jose. This is a veteran team that can do it, and hopefully, Skinner can bring some life into this defense
Pick: Penguins Moneyline (+120)