Mark Lammey
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While we have a light 4-game NHL slate on Friday night, things get started earlier than usual. Strangely enough, it’s the game out on the west coast in California, which will be an early afternoon game local time. Not only am I targeting that matchup for our mega parlay, but I have also found value in 3 of the 4 contests. We have one of the best Eastern Conference battles we could ask for to go along with a nightcap in the Pacific Northwest. With so much to cover, let’s dive in. But along with our NHL mega parlay, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
Nashville Predators -1.5 (+154) over Anaheim Ducks
As mentioned, we are getting started the same way the slate of games are, out in Anaheim. The Ducks are likely riding high after their unexpected win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night. However, it took overtime and shootout to do so and the Knights are dealing with several injuries. Regardless, the Ducks still have the 2nd-worst record in the NHL and are still allowing the most goals per game. Meanwhile, the Predators haven’t even had to be on the ice in more than a week.
While that may cause concern for rust, at this point in the season, a week is a welcomed break and should not be anything long enough to create hesitation in this play. Nashville has beaten Anaheim in each of their last 4 meetings and has the skaters to exploit the poor Ducks goaltending. The Preds have 3 guys with double-digit goals — and 4 with at least 20 points. Even if they aren’t at their absolute best, it’s not as if Anaheim is an offensive juggernaut. The Ducks are scoring just 2 goals per game in the month of December. That’s the 2nd-worst mark in the league, which should help Nashville take this game by multiple goals.
Be sure to check out our full Nashville Predators vs Anaheim Ducks predictions
Pittsburgh Penguins ML (-125) over New Jersey Devils
There’s certainly no reason to back the puck line for our 2nd play given how evenly matched these teams are. The Devils have been the biggest surprise story of the season but have fallen off a bit of late. They are coming off a loss to the Boston Bruins, and although that’s the best team in the NHL right now New Jersey mustered just 1 goal on home ice. That marked back-to-back losses to the Bru-crew and the Devils are now 2-7-1 in their last 10 games. The month of December has not treated them well, and the Penguins can pile it on.
The Pens, too, are looking to bounce back from a rough loss. After getting out to a 4-0 lead in the 1st period against the Detroit Red Wings, they embarrassingly let them come back and lost 5-4 in overtime. While unacceptable, they were on the 2nd night of a back-to-back and are still one of the best teams in hockey this December. With a win on Friday the Penguins can leapfrog the Devils in the Metropolitan Division standings. It’s going to be good on good, with the Pens scoring the 8th-most goals per game and the Devils allowing the 3rd-fewest. This will likely be a low-scoring contest, but the Pens can use home-ice advantage and steal the win.
Be sure to check out our full New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins predictions
Edmonton Oilers 3-way ML (+142) over Seattle Kraken
Now we’re going to transition to another different market. Picking on the Kraken hasn’t been quite as common as it was last season, but they too haven’t been as strong in December. Their decline has primarily been due to their goaltending, as they’ve allowed just under 3.5 goals per game this month. While that’s not as bad as teams like the Ducks and San Jose Sharks, it’s enough for Edmonton to take advantage.
Since December 1, the Oilers have scored the 4th-most goals per game. That’s even after just scoring 2 goals in their most recent win against the Calgary Flames. The Kraken’s last game was a loss to that same Flames team, and the Oilers have good memories in Seattle. They haven’t faced the Kraken yet this season, but they beat them by multiple goals in 2 of their 3 meetings last year. Look for Connor McDavid and company to capitalize when they have the man advantage. The Oilers have the best powerplay percentage in the NHL and can use that to take this game in regulation
Don’t miss out on our favorite NHL player prop for tonight’s action!
Friday’s NHL mega parlay (12/30)
Predators -1.5 (+154)
Penguins ML (-125)
Oilers 3-way ML (+142)
Parlay odds: +1006
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