NHL Best Bets for Thursday (12/19)

Thursday’s NHL best bets will cover the night’s nine-game slate. We are looking to bounce back after some tough luck over our last few plays. There’s plenty of opportunities, and I’m excited to get to it. Remember, the first puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

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Today’s Best NHL Bets

Colorado/San Jose Over 6.5

(-105, 2.1u to win 2u, Bet365/DraftKings Sportsbook/FanDuel Sportsbook/Caesars)

Both of these teams have the potential to score goals in bunches, and yes, I am including the Sharks with that statement. The Sharks appear to have figured out some of their identity, and it’s backed by the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini has the potential to be the best No. 1 pick in some time, and he has helped this Sharks team stay competitive against tough competition. This 6.5 total was surprising to me. I anticipate both goalies that were a part of the goalie swap in Alexander Georgiev and MacKenzie Blackwood to get the starts today. Georgiev has a tendency to allow way too many bad goals. Blackwood is surely an upgrade for the Avalanche, but I’ve never been too keen about playing a goalie against their former team. At any rate, the conditions surrounding this game makes all too much sense for a high-scoring affair.

Seattle Kraken ML

(-130, Bet365)

It’s difficult for me to understand why a team like the Kraken wouldn’t be bigger favorites against a Blackhawks team that has consistently struggled to score goals throughout the season. Chicago’s 2.5 goals scored per game is the third lowest in the NHL. When you combine it with subpar goaltending, it’s just no surprise that the Blackhawks are at the very bottom of the NHL standings.

Boston Bruins ML

(+158, Caesars)

This trip through Western Canada has been huge for the Bruins, who have shown resilience after getting demolished by both the Jets and Kraken. They rebounded huge against a feisty Canucks team and were able to make a huge third-period comeback to shock the Flames. The Bruins are a team that have a tendency to underperform, but against a team like the Oilers who usually bring the best out of their opposition, I’m actually quite comfortable with them as a big underdog. David Pastrnak has been sensational over these last two wins, and I expect him to show up against a subpar defense from the Oilers.

Bonus Bets

New Jersey/Columbus OVER 6.5 (-104, BetRivers)
Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (+154, DraftKings)
Pittsburgh Penguins ML (+136, DraftKings/FanDuel)
Ross Colton OVER 0.5 points (-115, DraftKings/BetMGM)
Oliver Bjorkstrand OVER 0.5 points (-110, DraftKings/BetMGM)
Blake Coleman OVER 0.5 points (+135, DraftKings)
Jesper Bratt OVER 0.5 assists (-105, Bet365/BetMGM)
Anze Kopitar OVER 0.5 assists (-120, DraftKings/BetMGM)
Dmitri Voronkov OVER 0.5 points (+100, DraftKings/BetMGM)

Goal Scorers

Jake Guentzel
Timo Meier
Jack Hughes
Dmitri Voronkov
Bryan Rust
Eeli Tolvanen
Mikael Backlund
David Pastrnak
Mark Stone
Ross Colton
Mikko Rantanen
Tyler Toffoli