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NHL Best Bets for Friday (12/27)

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Friday’s NHL best bets will cover the day’s eight-game slate that has a first puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

With our FTN betting package, you’ll get picks from everyone at FTN, plus tools, projections and access to Discord, where I’ll discuss every slate.

Join our free NHL Fantasy Hockey Discord.

Today’s Best NHL Bets

Detroit Red Wings ML

(+130, Bet365/DraftKings Sportsbook/BetMGM/Caesars)

The Red Wings have long been a team of talented underachievers. It’s hard to explain how a team with so much talent can consistently be basement dwellers in the NHL. But that’s where Todd McLellen comes in. McLellen has shown throughout his coaching career that he can teach a very successful system that can consistently lead teams to wins throughout the season. He’s a great motivator and stepping right in after the holiday break will give this Red Wings team a pretty substantial boost against the Leafs. As a whole, the Red Wings have always played the Leafs pretty well. They’ve actually won three of the last four meetings throughout the calendar year and should be in good position to start the McLellen era on a good note.

Nashville/St Louis Over 5.5

(-108, BetRivers)

Generally speaking, the Predators have usually had the Blues’ number over the last few meetings, and have actually won four in a row against their division rivals. Still, there’s no possible way we want to play Nashville in this spot as a road favorite against a Blues team that has been competitive in just about every game over the last month. If there’s an area of opportunity it’s the 5.5 total, which I feel is way too low. Head coach Jim Montgomery has leaned on Jordan Binnington as his No. 1 goalie to the point where he has been steadily playing two games and then letting backup goaltender Joel Hofer get a start. If the pattern continues, it makes sense for Binnington to get another start, and that would favor the over considering Binnington is a minus GSAA goaltender this season and has allowed four goals in each of his last three starts against Nashville. As for the Predators defense, we know Juuse Saros is an outstanding goalie, but their struggles to score goals throughout the season has definitely led the team to be less defense-oriented than they were to start the season, and less defense-oriented than they were over the last few seasons.

Colorado Avalanche ML

(-135, DraftKings Sportsbook)

The Utah Hockey Club have been one of the best stories of the season. They are a super fun team to watch and have a chance at sustaining a winning hockey team in Salt Lake City for years to come. They are an above average team that has a real chance at making the playoffs in their first season in Utah. Even so, there’s no reason why the Avalanche should only be -135 favorites here. The Avalanche are finally healthy and also finally have solid goaltending. The health element is huge for a team like the Avs because it means they are able to roll two outstanding lines and arguably one of the top three power-plays in the league. There’s definitely a lot of value in taking the Avs here away from home, and we’ll do so for 1.35 units to win 1 unit on DraftKings.

Bonus Bets

Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (+108, FanDuel)
Chicago Blackhawks ML (+150, Caesars)
Filip Forsberg over 0.5 assists (+145, Bet365/DraftKings)
Mikko Rantanen over 0.5 assists (-125, Bet365/BetMGM)
Jesper Bratt over 0.5 assists (+100, Bet365/DraftKings/BetMGM)

Additional plays may be posted on Discord.

Goal Scorers

Connor Bedard
Alex Tuch
Dylan Cozens
Jack Hughes
Steven Stamkos
Jordan Kyrou
Wyatt Johnston
Valeri Nichushkin
Cale Makar
William Karlsson

Previous Prime-Time First TD Bets — Thursday Night Football, Week 17
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