As the calendar flips to December, the NHL concludes its second month of play and moves into the start of the mid-season. This is when teams begin to build separation in the standings and separate themselves into different categories of quality.
Many teams will be playing their first game of the month on Saturday, looking to get off to a good start. In total 12 games are scheduled for Saturday, including two all-Canadian matchups and a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals. For Saturday, December 2 here are the best teams and games to wager.
St. Louis Blues @ Minnesota Wild
The second game of the day, starting at 6:00 PM EST, is one of the best, as it features two Central Division rivals. The Blues are slowly starting to see their division lead evaporate (now sitting only one point up on Winnipeg), after a 4-4 stretch. In fact, since the Jets and Blues both play on Friday, the Blues could wake up Saturday morning to find themselves in second place. The Blues play Pacific Division the Kings on Friday. The Blues are 4-0 on the second half of a back-to-back this season, including a win against Minnesota (in Minnesota) a week prior. Going undefeated is back-to-backs over an entire season is unrealistic and against a team, they typically play close, a loss is inevitable. Bet the Wild to win on Saturday.
Pick: Minnesota
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Vancouver Canucks
Odds: TOR -133, VAN +120
It is an early start on the West Coast, as the Canucks host the Toronto Maple Leafs in the marquee Canadian matchup on Saturday. The Leafs won the first two games of their Western Canada road trip and will try to make it three straight against the underachieving Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks are a bit of an oddity this season. They are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the most road wins in the NHL, but are second last in the NHL in wins at home. Their play at home is, for lack of a better term, horrendous. They are in the bottom five for goals, power play and shots on offence and one of a few teams to allow over 3.00 goals per game at home. The Leafs have the best road offense in the NHL. Take the Leafs to sweep their road trip in Western Canada.
Pick: Toronto
Anaheim Ducks @ Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators welcome the Anaheim Ducks to town for a big 2017 Western Conference Finals rematch. The two teams played in Anaheim earlier in the season. The Predators came out victorious 5-3. In the second game, the Predators have the advantage. The Predators’ play at home this season is something worth marvelling at. The Predators are 9-2-1 at home this season, with one regulation loss against a Western Conference opponent. The Ducks are below-average on the road this season, and generate the fewest (26.30) shots on net in the league when playing on the road. Anaheim recently traded to acquire Adam Henrique to help their offense, but it should take him a few games to find his groove with the Ducks and help the Ducks offense improve. Take the Predators to win their tenth home game of the year. There will be a little juice to lay but they’re worth the price in this spot.
Pick: Nashville
Florida Panthers @ Carolina Hurricanes
The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes will try to gain some ground in the postseason race as they faceoff on Saturday night in Carolina. The Panthers are 5-8-0 on the road this season, and own the second-worst road offense in the NHL. However, the Panthers are 7-3-0 against Carolina since November 2014 going 3-2-0 in Carolina. Both teams play on Friday, meaning there is a reasonable chance to see some backups in net. The Hurricanes could start veteran Cam Ward, who is 16-13-3 with a 2.70 GAA and .908 save percentage against Florida (relatively average numbers). The Panthers could counter with James Reimer, although he is unsuccessful in his career (1-5-0, .65 save percentage and 3.72 GAA) against Florida. Overall, Carolina has a slight edge on Saturday. Take them with your picks in this spot.
Pick: Carolina
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