After taking the day off for Thanksgiving, the NHL is back with a full slate of the games for Black Friday, November 26th. There are 13 games scheduled with 26 of the 32 teams scheduled to play and the plethora of games allows bettors to find favorable matchups and mismatches to hopefully make profitable wagers.
Under 5.5 – Boston Bruins Vs. New York Rangers
| Bruins stat line | 10 wins in 16 games | 3.13 goals per game | 2.75 goals against per game |
| Rangers stat line | 12 wins in 19 games | 2.84 goals per game | 2.74 goals against per game |
The Bruins face the Rangers with both teams possessing two of the more talented rosters in the NHL but both being led by their defensive units. The Rangers will look to limit the Bruins’ top-heavy offense with Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, and Jacob Trouba eliminating big plays on the odd-man rush while cutting off passing lanes, allowing goaltender Igor Shesterkin to have a great game in the net. The Bruins meanwhile, should eliminate the Rangers struggling offense with Charlie McAvoy, Derek Forbort, Mike Reilly, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while removing Rangers forwards from the puck on the odd-man rush. Additionally, the Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is having a great season in the net and will eliminate second-chance scoring opportunities with saves on the initial shots throughout the game.
The Under will cover with both defenses controlling the game.
Winnipeg Jets (+115) Vs. Minnesota Wild
| Jets stat line | 9 wins in 19 games | 2.84 goals per game | 2.58 goals against per game |
| Wild stat line | 12 wins in 19 games | 3.42 goals per game | 3.16 goals against per game |
The Jets are currently on a losing streak and the Wild look to build their record in the Central Division. However, the Jets provide tough matchups on both ends of the ice and look to take advantage against the Wild. The Jets will look to find the back of the net a few times with Kyle Connor, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and the rest of the Jets forwards crashing the net on the odd-man rush and finding open shots off of great centering passes in the offensive zone. Likewise, the Jets will find offense from the point with Neal Pionk and Josh Morrissey creating scoring chances from the blue line with great passes and shots through traffic.
Defensively, the Jets should eliminate the Wild potent offense with Josh Morrissey, Neal Pionk, Logan Stanley, and the rest of the defensive unit controlling the blue line limiting the Wild forwards from carrying the puck into the offensive zone and finding a scoring presence throughout the game. In addition, Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is having an incredible season in the net and should blank the Wild shots on the goal to limit the Wild offense from developing a potent offense in the game.
The Jets will win the game and provide great odds in the process.
Over 5.5 – Florida Panthers Vs. Washington Capitals
| Panthers stat line | 14 wins in 19 games | 3.84 goals per game | 2.42 goals against per game |
| Capitals stat line | 12 wins in 20 games | 3.50 goals per game | 2.35 goals against per game |
The Panthers and the Capitals have two great defenses and the upcoming game can easily become a low-scoring one with both units stepping up. However, the two teams have two of the best offenses in the NHL and both teams look to find the back of the net at will in the game. The Capitals will look to pile on the goals with great puck movement in the offensive zone led by Alexander Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, and Evgeny Kuznetsov to find open shots on the goal. The Capitals also will find open shots from the point and John Carlson should open up the offense with plenty of great plays at the blue line in the game.
The Panthers meanwhile should run up the score with Aleksandar Barkov, Anthony Duclair, and the rest of the forward unit finding quick goals on the odd-man rush. Likewise, the Panthers will find plenty of scoring opportunities in the offensive zone with Barkov and Duclair creating open shots near the faceoff circles while Sam Bennett and the backend of the forward unit overwhelm the Capitals defense.
The Over will cover in a high-scoring game controlled by both offenses.
Colorado Avalanche (-130) Vs. Dallas Stars
| Avalanche stat line | 10 wins in 16 games | 4.06 goals per game | 3.19 goals against per game |
| Stars stat line | 8 wins in 17 games | 2.71 goals per game | 3.00 goals against per game |
The Stars are home Underdogs and look to pull off the upset against a red-hot Avalanche team. The problem is that the Avalanche can exploit mismatches throughout the game on both ends of the ice. The Avalanche will pile on the goals with Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating quick shots on the net. Additionally, the Avalanche have some of the best scoring defensemen in the NHL, and Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and Bowen Byram will open up the offense while also firing effective shots on the goal. Speaking of Makar, Toews, and Byram, they will eliminate the Stars struggling offense along with Erik Johnson by cutting off angles to the net and forcing tough shots on the goal while goaltender Darcy Kuemper steps up has a great game in the net.
The Avalanche will win the game with great play on both ends of the ice.
San Jose Sharks (+130) Vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
| Sharks stat line | 10 wins in 19 games | 2.74 goals per game | 2.79 goals against per game |
| Maple Leafs’ stat line | 14 wins in 21 games | 2.71 goals per game | 2.24 goals against per game |
The Maple Leafs have played great on their West Coast road trip and look to continue their winning ways. However, the Sharks are a tough matchup and can take advantage of some matchups on both ends of the ice. The Sharks will find the back of the net with Tomas Hertl, Logan Couture, and the rest of the forward unit finding quick scoring opportunities on the odd-man rush while also establishing strong puck movement in the offensive zone. Moreover, the strong offensive zone presence will allow defensemen Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns to help add a scoring presence from the point to put the offense over the top.
On the defensive end of the ice, the Sharks should eliminate and potentially shut out the Maple Leafs’ top-heavy offense with Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, and Mario Ferraro controlling the defensive zone and limiting quick passes that the Maple Leafs love to score off of. Moreover, the Sharks will limit effective shots on the net, allowing goaltender James Reimer to have a great game and make plenty of easy saves.
The Sharks will win the game and provide great odds in the process as home Underdogs.
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