NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Sunday, December 29:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Edmonton Oilers (-300, 6.5) at Anaheim Ducks
4 p.m. ET
The Oilers and Ducks find themselves on the second half of back-to-backs, and both teams are coming off losses. Edmonton lost 4-3 in Overtime to the LA Kings, while the Ducks fell 3-1 at home to the Flyers. The Oilers have not lost consecutive games since mid-November (Toronto and Montreal). Edmonton has won seven straight and nine of the last ten meetings, with the Ducks covering the Puck Line (-1.5 goals) in all nine victories. In seven of the nine wins, the Oilers have won by three or more goals. In Edmonton’s previous four losses this season, they have won the next game by three or more goals three times. The Oilers’ Viktor Arvidsson has goals in consecutive games playing alongside Leon Draisaitl. For his career, he has eight goals in 19 games versus the Ducks, with five of his goals coming against goalie John Gibson who gets the start tonight. Teammate Jeff Skinner has five goals in nine games against Gibson.
Anaheim enters tonight’s contest coming off back-to-back, 3-1 defeats and has lost three of their last four games. Six of the Ducks’ last eight losses have been by two or more goals. Two Anaheim players to consider for player props are Ryan Strome (3 goals in six games vs. Calvin Pickard) and Alex Kilorn (2 goals in 5 games vs Pickard).
NHL Predictions: Edmonton Oilers TT Over 3.5 (-155) – 1 unit
Edmonton Oilers -1.5 goals (-110) – 1 unit
Edmonton Oilers -2.5 goals (+165) – ¼ unit
Viktor Arvidsson anytime goal (+260) – ¼ unit
Jeff Skinner anytime goal (+400) – ¼ unit
Ryan Strome anytime goal (+390) – ¼ unit
Alex Kilorn anytime goal (+370) – ¼ unit
Washington Capitals (-135, 6) at Detroit Red Wings
5 p.m. ET
Many times, the hiring of a new coach gives a team a lift, and they get that “coach boost,” but it was the same old story for Detroit in the debut for head coach Todd McLellan as the Red Wings fell to Toronto, 5-2. The loss extended the Wings losing streak to four games and they find themselves tied with the Buffalo Sabres for last in the Eastern Conference. Detroit has also lost five of their last seven games, giving up four or more goals in each of the five losses. The Wings have given up 4+ goals in 16 of their 22 losses this season.
The Caps welcomed Alexander Ovechkin back to the lineup on Saturday after missing the past five weeks with a lower-body injury in a game versus the Utah HC. The ‘Great Eight” scored an empty net goal last night, giving him 16 on the season as he continues his march to becoming the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer. Ovechkin has scored 24 goals in 35 games versus the Red Wings in his career. A couple of other Washington players that are on my radar. Pierre Luc-Dubois has assists in four consecutive games. Jakob Chychrun has nine assists in 13 games versus Detroit. Former Red Wing Jakob Vrana has three goals in his past four games.
Charlie Lindgren will get the start today for the Capitals. Lindgren has given up three or more goals 10 times this season and in three of the last four meetings against Detroit. Alex DeBrincat has scored three goals in five games against Lindgren and has 11 goals in 13 games versus the Capitals. Detroit’s Lucas Raymond has also had some success facing Lindgren with a pair of goals in five games.
NHL Predictions: Washington Capitals/Detroit Red Wings 1st period Over 1.5 (-135) – 1 unit
Pierre-Luc Dubois Over ½ assist (+155) – ¼ unit
Alex DeBrincat anytime goal (+235) – ¼ unit
Alexander Ovechkin anytime goal (+165) – ¼ unit
Jakob Chychrun Over ½ assist (+170) – ¼ unit
Aliaksei Protas Over ½ point (+115) – ¼ unit
Jakub Vrana anytime goal (+400) – ¼ unit
Detroit Red Wings TT over 2.5 (-145) – 1 unit
Lucas Raymond (+255) – ¼ unit
Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning (-250, 6.5)
5 p.m. ET
The Canadiens are coming off a huge upset of the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday and now face the Tampa Bay Lightning who are riding a four-game winning streak. Tampa has dominated Montreal, winning eight of the last 10 meetings and scoring four or more goals in six of the eight wins. For the season, Tampa has scored 4+ goals in 16 of their 20 wins and have covered the Puck Line in 16 of 20 wins as well. Jonas Johansson gets the start in goal for Tampa. In five of his six starts the first period Over 1.5 goals has cashed.
NHL Predictions: Montreal Canadiens/Tampa Bay Lightning 1st period Over 1.5 (-160) – 1 unit
Tampa Bay Lightning TT Over 3.5 (-165) – 1 unit
Montreal Canadiens/Tampa Bay Lightning Over 6.5 (-120) – 1 unit
Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 goals (+100) – 1 unit
Jake Evans anytime goal (+700) – ¼ unit
Jake Guentzel anytime goal (+120) – ¼ unit
Brandon Hagel anytime goal (+150) – ¼ unit
Zemgus Girgensons anytime goal (+1200) – ¼ unit
Best of the Rest:
Vegas Golden Knights in Regulation (-155) – 1 unit
Blake Coleman (CGY) anytime goal (+340) – ¼ unit
William Karlsson anytime goal (+260) – ¼ unit
William Karlsson Over ½ assist (+155) – ¼ unit
New York Islanders/Pittsburgh Penguins Over 6 (-120) – 2 units
Brock Nelson anytime goal (+300) – ¼ unit
Simon Holmstrom anytime goal (+425) – ¼ unit
Tanner Jeannot anytime goal (+550) – ¼ unit
Matvei Michkov anytime goal (+300) – ¼ unit