NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (12/28)
Let’s break down some key matchups today in the NHL. Below are our top NHL picks & predictions for Sunday, December 28th.
Sunday’s NHL Best Bets & Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Toronto Maple Leafs (+120) at Detroit Red Wings (-142) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-120)
It will be tough for Toronto to get into the playoffs. As we get close to flipping the calendar to the new year, they are struggling to find momentum and have just two instances of winning back-to-back games since November 5th. The offense is not a problem, as they are ninth in goals scored per game (3.19). It's the goaltending. Dennis Hildeby has struggled all season, and while the team is winning with Joseph Woll in net, it's largely due to offensive support.
The Red Wings have also had their issues with consistency, but they have done better at overcoming them. Most importantly, Detroit is finally getting some good goaltending. After a rough start to the season for John Gibson, where he allowed 3.40 goals per game in his first 13 appearances, he's allowed 2.10 goals per game in his last eight, and has won each of those games. They also have the offense to back them up, and are sixth in expected goal rate (52.3%).
This game will be a battle of the backup goalies, as Woll and Gibson played on Saturday. It should be Hildeby between the pipes, who has allowed 14 goals in his last three games, and Cam Talbot, who has allowed 14 goals in his last four games.
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+100)
Pittsburgh Penguins (-170) at Chicago Blackhawks (+142) | O/U 5.5 (-130/+110)
This is a matchup between two teams that started the season playing well but are struggling now.
After a couple of seasons of missing the playoffs, the Penguins looked like they were back to being contenders. However, it has gone downhill recently. They started the season 8-2-2, but since November 1st, they are 7-10-7, and those 21 points are the third-lowest during that span. Both sides of the puck are struggling, as they’re scoring only 2.71 goals per game, and even worse, they can’t figure out their goalie situation. They decided to trade away long-time goaltender Tristan Jarry for Stuart Skinner, but that move has been a disaster. Skinner is 0-3-0 and is allowing 4.18 goals per game.
The Penguins have the third-fewest points since November 1st, but the Blackhawks have the second-fewest. It's been horrible for Chicago lately, as they come in with only two points in their last nine games and zero points in their previous six. It's tough when you don’t have your leader, as Connor Bedard is out of the lineup, and they don’t have anyone else to step up. This offense has struggled, scoring more than two goals in just one of its last six games.
Although Pittsburgh’s goaltending is struggling, Chicago’s limited offensive output might make the Penguins look better defensively and help them earn a much-needed victory.
Pick: Penguins 60-Minute Moneyline (+100)