Hello and welcome everyone to the Thursday edition of the NHL Best Bets on December 19th, 2024! We are back again today after going 1-2 in yesterday’s NHL picks after the Canucks cost us in OT but forgive and forget!

Now it’s a 9-game slate in the hockey world and I have a bunch of NHL best bets to for you all to dig into! Best of luck as always and see you all tomorrow for some Friday action!

 

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/19

In this NHL Best Bets Today article you will find a wide array of choices from some Money Lines and Team totals to plenty of player props for the action today in NHL Picks! 

9 games on this weekday slate; let's dive into my expert NHL Best Bets today!

  • Regular Season Record: 97-76-1
  • Bankroll: +9.8 Units

*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10

 

 

 

Avalanche vs. Sharks Prediction: Thursday, December 19th

Tonight, we’ve got the oh so sweet revenge game on tap and to make matters even greater it’s a goaltender revenge game! A few days ago, Mackenzie Blackwood was traded from the Sharks to Colorado, and he hasn’t looked back posting a 2.05 GAA and .937 SV %! 

Needless to say, he is enjoying playing for a winning hockey team and tonight he can really repay his new team by dispatching a Sharks team that is 6-8-1 on home ice this season and has lost 6 of their last 10 games. Blackwood also ranks 8th in goals saved above expected at 4.9 this season in goalies that have started 20 or more games!

Its not just about Blackwood though this Colorado team in front of him is finding its groove and have scored 17 goals over the past 5 games and overall, on the season score 3.24 goals per game which is the 9th highest rate in the NHL. I concede the Avs aren’t the best team against the spread this season but with this kind of goaltending backing them they should prevail on a nicely valued Puck Line. 

 

 

 

Blues vs. Lightning Prediction: Thursday, December 19th

It took the Lightning awhile to get going this season, but they are certainly rolling now! Tampa Bay are winners of 7 in the last 10 games heading into this matchup with the Blues and I can’t see a way the Lightning lose this game tonight. They hold a +32-goal differential on the season which is top 5 in the NHL and their goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is playing like a Vezina Trophy finalist once again. 

Vasilevskiy enters tonight’s matchup with a 2.44 GAA and .908 SV % and has graded well in goals saved above expected. His opposite in Jordan Binnington tonight for the Blues is 8-12-3 on the season with a 2.94 GAA by comparison. 

The teams in front of the goalies are mismatched as well with the Lightning scoring 3.93 goals per game on home ice so far, tied for 2nd in the NHL while the Blues are only managing 2.83 goals per game on the road. The Blues are also 2nd lowest in the NHL is expected goals for at 2.59 per game ahead of just the lowly Blackhawks. Tampa Bay is going to take care of business tonight so give me them to win on the 60 min Money Line.  

 

 

 

Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/19