Hello and welcome everyone to the New Year’s Eve edition of the NHL Best Bets on December 31st, 2024! It’s a special day in the hockey world today as we have the Winter Classic today between Chicago and St. Louis! 

That game will be the centerpiece of my picks today but make sure to check out the other wagers below on this jam-packed slate of NHL picks.

 

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/31

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! 

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

  • Regular Season Record: 108-84-1
  • Bankroll: +12.9 Units

*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10

 

 

 

Blues vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Tuesday, December 31st

You knew that today’s article had to feature the NHL’s Winter Classic! This one will drop puck live from Wrigley Field at around 5pm eastern today and it should be a fun matchup as the Blues and Blackhawks rivalry goes back a long time. 

Some quick history of the outdoor classic for you today, the home team is 6-9 straight up and the under has hit at a record of 10-5 overall as well if you assume the total is 5.5 goals. So, if you like history then betting the Blues and the under will be for you and seeing as the Blackhawks are a bad team I think that trend continues today so Blues Money Line for me. 

As for the total I wish it wasn’t 5.5 but I understand why as Chicago is scoring just 2.51 goals per game and the Blues are scoring 2.61. Both are bottom 5 in the NHL standings so if you mix history of the Winter Classic with recent trends you get the under and that’s my other wager for this game. 

 

 

 

Best NHL Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 12/31