After taking the holiday weekend off, we will see face-offs starting on Tuesday, December 27th, with a huge slate of games. In looking at the upcoming games, we’ve found a couple that we feel confident in placing some wagers on. We’ll give you a brief breakdown of each game, and then we’ll give you our predictions. Enjoy this week’s hockey action!

The Week in NHL Wagering

Chicago Blackhawks @ Carolina Hurricanes – Tuesday, December 27th

One of the top teams in the NHL will entertain the worst team in hockey, as the Carolina Hurricanes will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. Chicago is 8-20-4 on the season. The Blackhawk’s offense has been abysmal, as the rebuilding team has only been able to score 75 goals this season. Defensively, they haven’t been much better, as Chicago has given 122 goals, which makes for a -47 goal differential. 

The Hurricanes come into this one as the hottest team in the NHL. They’ve won eight in a row, and haven’t lost in their last 10 contests. At 22-6-6, the Hurricanes sit atop the Metropolitan division. The offense hasn’t been overwhelming, and neither has the defense, but this team has just found ways to win. 

As is the case with almost all NHL games, this game has a 1.5-goal spread. The Hurricanes are favored by 1.5 goals, with an over-under of 6.5. We’re not really sold on the over or under, but if we were going to pick, we’d take the under. However, we do feel confident in taking the Hurricanes to cover the 1.5-goal spread. We see them defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2, thus extending their winning streak and covering the spread in the process.

Buffalo Sabres @ Columbus Blue Jackets – Tuesday, December 27th

The Columbus Blue Jackets are heading in the opposite direction. With a record of 10-21-2, and losers of six in a row, the team has really struggled this season. Columbus has the second-worst defense in the league, as they’ve given up 135 goals. They have one of the worst goal differentials in the league as well, at a -47. The Blue Jackets can score goals, but they aren’t able to keep pace with how poor their defense is. 

Buffalo is the second-highest-scoring team in the league, with 127 goals scored. They’re just three behind the league-leading Boston Bruins, who have tallied 130 goals. We just can’t see Columbus slowing down this high-scoring squad. We’re going to take the Buffalo Sabres in this one. They’re going to win this one easily, scoring six goals against the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets will only tally two goals, and will lose 6-2. Buffalo extends its winning streak, and easily covers the 1.5-goal spread.

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