Covid-19 has completely altered the NHL the past few days and for the season as a whole. Over 40 games have been postponed and there are only a handful of games remaining until the Christmas holiday break. For December 21st, there are two games currently scheduled, and the following Tuesday’s games, the NHL has decided to postpone all league activities until after the holiday break. With this in mind, let’s dive into the two games and look at the best bets.
Washington Capitals Vs. Philadelphia Flyers
| Capitals stat line | 18 wins in 31 games | 3.42 goals per game | 2.58 goals against per game |
| Flyers stat line | 12 wins in 29 games | 2.66 goals per game | 3.17 goals against per game |
The Capitals face the flyers with the Flyers playing significantly better since they fired head coach Alain Vigneault and replaced him with Mike Yeo. The Capitals on the other hand have looked like one of the best teams in the NHL and look to control both ends of the ice in the upcoming game.
Capitals (-140)
The Capitals will find the back of the net throughout the game with great puck movement in the offensive zone. Alexander Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, and the rest of the forward unit will create open shots with great passes in the offensive zone against a struggling Flyers defense. Moreover, John Carlson will help pick apart the struggling Flyers defense with great passes and shots through traffic from the point.
The Capitals will also look to limit the Flyers’ top-heavy forward unit with Nick Jensen, John Carlson, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone alike while limiting shots on the net. The Capitals will also receive a great performance from their goaltender Ilya Samsonov who looks to blank the Flyers’ initial shots on the net and eliminate second-chance shots.
The Capitals will win the game and continue their impressive start to the season.
Over 6
Both teams are led by their forward unit and look to find the back of the net throughout the game. The Flyers will find the back of the net a few times with Joel Farabee and Cam Atkinson carrying the puck into the offensive zone and finding quick shots on the odd-man rush. The Capitals meanwhile, should run up the score with Alexander Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Lars Eller, and the rest of the forward unit creating quick scoring chances with great puck movement in the offensive zone and a strong offensive zone presence while John Carlson helps pick apart the Flyers defense from the point.
The Over will cover with both offenses stepping up and finding the back of the net.
Tampa Bay Lightning Vs. Vegas Golden Knights
| Lightning stat line | 19 wins in 29 games | 3.17 goals per game | 2.59 goals against per game |
| Golden Knights stat line | 20 wins in 31 games | 3.48 goals per game | 3.03 goals against per game |
The Golden Knights host the Lightning and have played great in recent games. the Golden Knights look to win on their home ice but the Lightning can find favorable matchups throughout the game.
Lightning (+115)
The Lightning will find the back of the net throughout the game with Steven Stamkos, Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat, and the rest of the forward unit creating open shots in the offensive zone with great centering passes and effective puck movement. In addition, the Lightning will open up the offense with Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev finding open ice at the blue line to generate shots on the net from the point.
Speaking of Hedman and Sergachev, they should lead the Lightning defense along with Jan Rutta and Ryan McDonagh and create turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone alike while also limiting passing lanes in the defensive zone for the Golden Knights forwards to establish an offensive zone presence. Additionally, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is having an incredible season in the net and should have a great game in the net and cover up the Golden Knights shots on goal.
The Lightning will win this game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Under 6
Both teams have great offenses that can make this game a high-scoring one. However, the Lightning and the Golden Knights have talented defensive units that look to step up and limit the opposing offenses. The Golden Knights should limit the Lightning offense with Shea Theodore, Alex Pietrangelo, and the rest of the defensive unit stepping up and creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting passing lanes for the Lightning forwards, allowing Robin Lehner to make plenty of easy saves.
The Lightning meanwhile looks to eliminate and potentially shut out the Golden Knights offense with Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, Jan Rutta, and the rest of the defensive unit cutting off angles to the net on the odd-man rush while also forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone alike as Andrei Vasilevskiy covers up the Golden Knights shots.
The Under will cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defenses.
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