Top NHL Betting Picks of the Week – December 17th Edition

It may seem hard to believe, but we are already fast approaching the midway point of the NHL season. The cream has very clearly risen to the top and it’s fair to suggest that there are a couple of surprise teams in the mix, with the Calgary Flames perhaps being the biggest surprise of the bunch. It is the Tampa Bay Lightning who are setting the pace that the rest of the league needs to follow, which is certainly not a surprise given that the Bolts were one of the preseason Stanley Cup favorites. It’s another busy week in the NHL, with the top teams in action throughout the week. Let’s take a closer look at the best games on this week’s NHL calendar. Don’t forget to check back for the latest NHL Odds right before placing your ticket!

Top NHL Betting Picks of the Week – December 17th Edition

🎥 Carrier: We’re playing the right way and we’ll keep it rolling for tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/q5Z1X0XW5d

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) 16 de diciembre de 2018

Vegas Golden Knights at Columbus Blue Jackets – Monday

After a very poor start to the season, the Vegas Golden Knights, last year’s Stanley Cup finalists, appear to finally be back on track. They have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games to haul themselves up into 4th in the Pacific Division, 6 points off the pace being set by the Flames.

They have a tough road trip ahead of them on Monday night, as they will be in Columbus to face a Blue Jackets team that is currently sitting second in the Metropolitan Division. These teams met twice last season, with the home team winning each time, so perhaps expect more of the same here.

San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild – Tuesday

The San Jose Sharks come into the new week on a hot streak of form, as they have now won 4 games in a row to get up to second in the Pacific Division. They have not been particularly great on the road this season, going 7-8-3, and they can expect another tough outing on Tuesday night in Minnesota.

The Wild are in the middle of the pack in the Central Division and are on a streak where they have won just 4 games in their last 10. That said, the Wild have been good at home, going 10-5-2. The Sharks won the previous meeting this season, breaking a streak that had saw them lose 6 in a row to Minnesota. I am on the Wild in this one.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Calgary Flames – Thursday

The best in the East meets the best in the West in what could be a shootout for the ages. The Lightning has come storming out the gate, racking up 52 points in 34 games, which includes a very impressive 10-3-2 road record.

The Flames, meanwhile, have 46 points from the same number of games and are 8-1-1 in the last 10, which is the exact same record as Tampa Bay in that period. Combined, these two teams have scored 260 goals and are #1 and #2 in goal differential this season. This has all the makings of a great game that could well head to OT. I am taking the Flames on home ice.

Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals – Friday

It’s a bit of a quiet night on Friday, with just a trio of games on the NHL calendar, but this one is must watch TV. The Buffalo Sabres are another team that needs to be considered a pleasant surprise, as they have taken a huge step forward this season, picking up 45 points in 34 games.

The Washington Capitals got off to a slow start, but they appear to be finally over their Stanley Cup hangover, as they are now back on top of the Metropolitan Division. Washington have beaten Buffalo 3 straight times, as well as in 5 of their last 6 meetings, so expect a Capitals win here.

NHL Standings

Eastern Conference (Metropolitan)

• Washington Capitals
• Columbus Blue Jackets
• Pittsburgh Penguins

  Eastern Conference (Atlantic)

• Tampa Bay Lightning
• Buffalo Sabres
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Western Conference (Central)

• Winnipeg Jets
• Nashville Predators
• Colorado Rapids

Western Conference (Pacific)

• Calgary Flames
• San Jose Sharks
• Anaheim Ducks