NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (12/4)

Back at it on Thursday with a 10-game slate and some fantastic betting matchups.

Our NHL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet assists bettors by comparing lines from leading sportsbooks with our daily projections >>

Thursday’s NHL Best Bets & Picks

Minnesota Wild (-108) at Calgary Flames (+108)

Okay, Wild. I see you. I was unfamiliar with your game (which seems silly since I live here), but I’ve got you now. Minnesota has won eight of its last 10, including ending Colorado’s 10-game win streak. They are doing this with suffocating defense and superb goaltending from Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt. In fact, they have allowed a total of 13 goals in their previous 10 contests. Nobody is scoring on them, and now they head to Calgary and face a team that has the lowest GF/G in the NHL at 2.29. The Flames play decent defense in their own right, especially at home, where they allow an average of 2.3 goals per game. Smash the UNDER and then smash it again.

Pick: Under 5.5 (-105)

Colorado Avalanche (-170) at New York Islanders (+170)

We discussed the Avalanche in depth on Tuesday, with me projecting that they would score five goals and discussing their offensive firepower right before they went out and won 3-1.  So today, let’s go the other way. Mackenzie Blackwood will start in net for Colorado. He began the year injured, which no one noticed as Scott Wedgewood became a Vezina Trophy candidate, but now Wedgewood has a lower-body injury. It’s too bad the Avalanche will have to settle for the guy with a <checks notes> .930 save percentage and 1.84 GAA. Considering the Islanders have gone OVER the total one time in the last 10 games and allow a respectably low 2.78 GA/G, this one screams UNDER as well. To be safe, you can take the 6.5 for -130 or roll the dice that New York struggles to score, and Colorado can’t get to 5 or 6 on their own for a nicer payout.

If you stay with the 6.5 and think this could end up in the 4-2 range, know that Colorado has covered the puck line in nine of their last 10. That’s a solid lean with great odds, too.

Pick: Under 6.5 (-130)
Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (+144)

Sam Reinhart + Seth Jarvis Point Parlay (+112)

Sam Reinhart has been on fire of late, getting a point in 12 of his last 15 games. Florida faces Nashville at home, and the Preds give up the third-most goals per game at 3.58. Meanwhile, Seth Jarvis has collected a point in nine of his last 15. Carolina gets Toronto on home ice, and the Maple Leafs give up the fifth-most goals per game at 3.46. Toronto also struggles on the road, so look for Jarvis to have a good night and complete this parlay to double your money.

Favorite Goalie Plays

Our four- and five-star UNDER bets on goalie saves are up 20.46 units this season, an 18.11% ROI. Here are today’s best bets:

Favorite SOG Plays

So far this season, bets on the UNDER on Shots on Goal rated 3 to 5 stars are up 46.1 units. Here are the best options for Thursday.

For more information about hockey betting, check out our informative articles below.

• The Top 5 Bet Types for Beginner NHL Bettors
• How To Bet NHL Player Props: A Beginner’s Guide
• What is the Puck Line?
• Puck Line Betting Strategy
• Advanced Stats to Improve Your Odds