Mark Lammey
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We may not have another huge 13-game slate, but we still have NHL action all throughout the day. There’s 5 games on the ice this Sunday to go along with your NFL fix. We should see plenty of hits given the matchups, and we’ve also targeted our 3 favorite plays. They include one of the earlier games of the day, and the very last. Let’s put them together for a mega parlay that can cover your bets for the start of your new week.
Before we dive in, be sure to check out our NHL picks for today’s action.
Pittsburgh Penguins 3-way ML (+165) over Carolina Hurricanes
I considered getting things started with the Minnesota Wild on the puck line over the Ottawa Senators, but I’m going to target a different team on the second night of a back-to-back. The Hurricanes will be hosting the Penguins a couple hours before the time of the usual puck drop, and they will be coming in after quite a tough matchup on Friday. Carolina took on the Dallas Stars, another very defensive team. The Stars have been the top of the Central Division for much of the season, and the ‘Canes are likely going to be physically and mentally exhausted from that game.
Those fatigued skates are one of the reasons the Pens should be able to extend their winning streak. They came through for us when we predicted them to beat the Florida Panthers in their most recent game, which marked their 7th straight win. That brought them to 18-8-4 and within striking distance of the Hurricanes in the Metro Division. Ironically enough, the Pens last loss came at the hands of Carolina in a 3-2 overtime finish. It’s clear that things have clicked since then, and the return of Kris Letang certainly doesn’t hurt. Pittsburgh will be well rested, having not played since Thursday, and should be able to pull off this slight upset in regulation.
Be sure to check out our Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes prediction
New York Rangers vs Chicago Blackhawks – Over 6 (-105)
I have another team on a back-to-back in the New York Rangers here. However, we are certainly not going to back the Blackhawks to be able to take advantage of that. Chicago has been awful this season, especially as of late. They ‘Hawks are allowing the most goals per game of any team in the NHL over the last month, at a ridiculous 4.38. The Wild scored 4 goals on them 2 nights ago, the Vegas Golden Knights did the same in the game prior and just before that was a 7-3 loss to the Washington Capitals.
The Rangers boast elite goal-scorers just like Alex Ovechkin of the Caps in Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider to take advantage of such a weakness. Given that the Blackhawks have the fewest wins in the league with an abysmal 7-18-4 record, it may seem like the play should be on Rangers to win big. However, they are going to be the ones on the second night of a back-to-back and already played down to the competition earlier this season. New York was actually one of the Blackhawks few wins (5-2 in that meeting). Although I don’t expect a repeat of that result, both teams have proven that they can score on one another.
Calgary Flames 3-way ML (-110) over San Jose Sharks
Admittedly, we had the Flames projected for a strong game against the St. Louis Blues 2 nights ago. While they didn’t come through, they have another great matchup on Sunday. Despite being on the road, they will be facing a San Jose Sharks team that has allowed the 8th-most goals per game in the NHL. That’s bad enough, and the Sharks were just in Los Angeles to take on the Kings on Saturday. San Jose has grabbed wins against the Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes recently, but the Flames at least have more firepower than those teams.
Elias Lindholm returned in the last game and put up 2 assists. Newcomers Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau finally seem to be fitting in a bit better and goaltender Jacob Markstrom is still one of the most consistent in the league. The Sharks are also a team that relies heavily on Timo Meier putting constant pressure on opposing goalies. However, the Flames have allowed the 4th-fewest shots per game. They were able to block plenty of Meier’s last season when they defeated the Sharks in 3 straight contests. Calgary may not look as strong currently, but it can begin to turn things around in Southern California on Sunday.
Don’t miss out on our NHL player props for today’s action – we went 2-0 yesterday!
Sunday’s NHL mega parlay (12/18)
Penguins 3-way ML (+165)
Rangers vs Blackhawks – Over 6 (-105)
Flames 3-way ML (-110)
Parlay odds +887
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