[Editor’s Note: Mike’s hockey picks are NOT The Oracle system betting picks. We include Mike’s separate, potentially different hockey picks because we think he’s smart, knows hockey well, and he’s a nice guy. But these are one-off, NHL picks to do with as you please; they are not part of The Oracle algorithmic picks which include hockey as part of the bigger betting system.]
After a night of only four games, the NHL returns with a full slate of games. For December 9th, the NHL has 10 games scheduled and plenty of exciting matchups as well. With the surplus of games, many fans and bettors alike are looking for favorable matchups and mismatches that can lead to profitable and successful bets.
Chicago Blackhawks (+110) Vs. Montreal Canadiens
| Blackhawks stat line | 9 wins in 25 games | 2.16 goals per game | 3.24 goals against per game |
| Canadiens stat line | 6 wins in 27 games | 2.26 goals per game | 3.56 goals against per game |
The Blackhawks and Canadiens have both struggled to start the season but the Blackhawks have turned the corner since their slow start to the season and look poised to make a push for the playoffs. The Blackhawks will look to find the back of the net throughout the game with Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone against the struggling Canadiens defense and finding open shots on the odd-man rush. Additionally, defenseman Seth Jones will help create scoring opportunities in the offensive zone from the point.
Speaking of Jones, he should limit the Canadiens struggling offense along with defenseman Erik Gustafsson and control the blue line while cutting off angles to the net on the rush as well as creating turnovers in the defensive zone. In addition, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has rebounded since his slow start to the season and will blank the Canadiens shot on the net throughout the game.
The Blackhawks will win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Also Consider: Under 5.5 – Both offenses have looked hapless this season and the defenses should take advantage.
Over 5.5 – Anaheim Ducks Vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
| Ducks stat line | 14 wins in 27 games | 3.26 goals per game | 2.78 goals against per game |
| Blue Jackets stat line | 13 wins in 24 games | 3.25 goals per game | 3.33 goals against per game |
The Ducks and the Blue Jackets have both been led by their offenses and the upcoming game should see both teams finding the back of the net throughout the game. The Blue Jackets will establish an offensive zone presence with Oliver Bjorkstrand, Boone Jenner, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and finding quick shots on the net while also finding open skaters in the offensive zone off of excellent passes. The Ducks meanwhile will pile on the goals with Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the odd-man rush while also establishing great puck movement in the offensive zone against a struggling Blue Jackets defense. Moreover, both teams have great scoring defensemen in Zach Werenski and Kevin Shattenkirk for the Blue Jackets and Ducks respectively that will find open shots throughout the game from the blue line to put their offenses over the top.
The Over will cover with both offenses being dominant in this game.
Also Consider: Ducks (-110) – The Ducks are coming off a big win over the Buffalo Sabres and look to control both ends of the ice against an inconsistent Blue Jackets team.
Under 5.5 – New York Islanders Vs. Nashville Predators
| Islanders stat line | 6 wins in 21 games | 2.05 goals per game | 2.95 goals against per game |
| Predators stat line | 14 wins in 25 games | 2.88 goals per game | 2.80 goals against per game |
Both the Predators and the Islanders are coming off games where both teams ran up the score against their opponents and it’s easy to think that the upcoming game will be a high-scoring one. However, both teams are led by their defenses and will look to mirror the earlier matchup in the season that ended 3-2 in a shootout. The Predators will look to limit the Islanders struggling offense with Roman Josi, Dante Fabbro, and the rest of the defensive unit stepping up as the blue line, making it difficult for the Islanders to establish an offensive zone presence. In addition, goaltender Juuse Saros is having a great season in the net and should cover up the initial shots from the Islanders to eliminate second-chance scoring opportunities.
The Islanders meanwhile, have one of the deepest defensive units in the NHL and will eliminate the Predators’ top-heavy offense as a result. Adam Pelech, Noah Dobson, Zdeno Chara, and the rest of the defensive unit will create turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone alike while also limiting quality shots on the net throughout the game. The Islanders will also allow goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who is having a great season in the net, to make plenty of easy saves throughout the game.
The Under will cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defensive units.
Also Consider: Islanders (-115) – The Islanders just snapped an 11-game losing streak and look to win their first game at home to gain momentum and makeup ground in the division.
Under 5.5 – Calgary Flames Vs. Carolina Hurricanes
| Flames stat line | 15 wins in 26 games | 3.15 goals per game | 2.25 goals against per game |
| Hurricanes stat line | 17 wins in 24 games | 3.29 goals per game | 2.15 goals against per game |
The Flames and the Hurricanes have been two of the best team in the NHL and have two great offenses that can easily make this game a high-scoring one. However, both teams possess two of the best defenses in the NHL and both teams look to eliminate the opposing offenses throughout the game. The Hurricanes will limit the Flames forwards on the odd-man rush with Anthony DeAngelo, Jaccob Slavin, and Ian Cole creating turnovers in the neutral zone to limit big plays from developing with the speed skaters the Flames possess. Additionally, Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen is having a great season in the net and looks to blank the quick shots from the Flames near the net as well.
The Flames meanwhile should eliminate and potentially shut out the Hurricanes offense with their deep defensive unit stepping up. Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, and the rest of the defensive unit will create turnovers at the blue line and in the defensive zone while limiting passing lanes for the Hurricanes forwards to find quick shots on the net. The Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom is also having a great season in the net and is a possible Vezina Trophy candidate who will look to eliminate the Hurricanes shots on the goal while also quickly reacting to redirected shots through traffic.
The Under will cover in a low-scoring game controlled by two excellent defenses.
Also Consider: Flames (-110) – The Flames will look to win on their home ice with their defense leading the way while their offense finds enough scoring chances to put this game away.
Winnipeg Jets (-110) Vs. Seattle Kraken
| Jets stat line | 12 wins in 25 games | 3.00 goals per game | 2.80 goals against per game |
| Kraken stat line | 9 wins in 25 games | 2.92 goals per game | 3.56 goals against per game |
The Jets travel to Seattle to face the Kraken expansion franchise. The Kraken have played better recently but the Jets look to exploit mismatches on both ends of the ice. The Jets will look to run up the score against the Kraken awful defense with Kyle Connor, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Nikolaj Ehlers, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the odd-man rush while also finding open skaters in the offensive zone off of centering passes. The Jets will also establish a strong offensive zone presence which will allow Josh Morrissey and the Jets defensemen to help pick apart the Kraken defense from the point.
The Jets will also eliminate and potentially shut out the Kraken top-heavy offense with Josh Morrissey, Brenden Dillon, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting Jordan Eberle from making plays in space with hard hits along the boards. In addition, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is having a great season in the net and will blank the initial shots from the Kraken to eliminate easy scoring chances near the net.
The Jets will win the game with a big win on the road.
Also Consider: Over 5.5 – Both offenses will look to step up and take advantage of the opposing defenses, especially the Jets offense against a struggling Kraken defense.
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