December 20, 2024 at 10:05 PM EST
The NHL comes with a 7-game slate today, and here you can check out the NHL Picks for Friday 12/20/2024.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction NHL Picks 12/20/24
Maple Leafs at Sabres at 7 PM ET
This season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have achieved a record of 20-10-2 after their latest win against Dallas, which ended with a score of 5-3. Despite being outshot 39 to 19, the Maple Leafs won 53.1% of the face-offs and did not convert on their only power play chance. The team’s scoring was led by Domi, McMann, Nylander (who scored twice), and Robertson. In goal, Woll performed admirably, stopping 36 of the 39 shots directed at him.
After their latest game, in which they lost to Montreal 6-1, the Buffalo Sabres’ season record stands at 11-17-4 overtime losses. In this encounter, the Sabres were outshot by a margin of 27 to 21, achieved a face-off win percentage of 51.8%, and did not score on the power play, going 0 for 5. The only goal for Buffalo came from Cozens, and UPL managed to stop 15 of the 21 shots directed at him.
The Pick:
Toronto has recorded four wins in their last five encounters, suggesting they are poised for another success in this game. In contrast, Buffalo has been underperforming on both fronts, permitting an average of 3.41 goals per game this year. One should consider Toronto to win by at least a two-goal margin in this instance.
St. Louis Blues vs Florida Panthers Prediction NHL Picks 12/20/24
Blues at Panthers at 7 PM ET
The Blues continue to experience setbacks, and Thursday night was no exception. They managed to score a single goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning, resulting in a two-goal loss. Pavel Buchnevich was the sole scorer for the team. Throughout the season, the Blues have been averaging 2.5 goals per game, while their defense has been conceding an average of 3.08 goals. Offensively, they are positioned 29th in the league, whereas their defensive ranking stands at 19th.
The Panthers delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday, netting six goals and securing a win by five goals. Matthew Tkachuk played a pivotal role, scoring two of those goals. Sergei Bobrovsky was in goal, successfully stopping 26 of the 27 shots he encountered. The team is currently averaging 3.58 goals per game, with their defense allowing 3.18 goals per game. Offensively, they rank 5th in the league, while defensively, they are positioned at 25th.
The Pick:
Heading into this matchup, the Florida Panthers’ offense has been performing at an elite level, suggesting they will start the game with considerable momentum. Conversely, the Blues’ offense ranks 29th in the league, making it improbable for them to net more than one goal in this encounter. The game is expected to escalate quickly, with the Panthers likely to dominate. It is recommended to back the Panthers on the puck line.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals Prediction NHL Picks 12/20/24
Hurricanes at Capitals at 7 PM ET
The Carolina Hurricanes secured victories against both the Blue Jackets and the Islanders. Currently, the team is averaging 3.61 goals per game and successfully converting 27.3 percent of their power play chances. Martin Necas is the leading scorer for Carolina with 14 goals, while Sebastian Aho contributes significantly with 24 assists. Additionally, Andrei Svechnikov has recorded 97 shots on goal. In terms of goaltending, Spencer Martin has conceded 27 goals from 175 shots faced, whereas Pyotr Kochetkov has allowed 46 goals on 470 shots.
The Washington Capitals faced defeats against the Stars and the Blackhawks. At present, the team averages 3.81 goals per game and successfully converts 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Connor McMichael leads the Capitals with 15 goals, while Dylan Strome has tallied 27 assists, and John Carlson has recorded 76 shots on goal. In terms of goaltending statistics, Charlie Lindgren has allowed 40 goals from 396 shots, and Logan Thompson has also conceded 40 goals, but from a total of 448 shots faced.
The Pick:
The Capitals have been outstanding and highly energetic this season, making them a compelling choice in the underdog category. Moreover, the Carolina Hurricanes have suffered six of their ten losses during away games. The Capitals have won three out of their last four matches as underdogs. The value proposition favors the Capitals, and I will pick the more advantageous price.
Montreal Canadiens vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction NHL Picks 12/20/24
Canadiens at Red Wings at 7 PM ET
The Montreal Canadiens enter this matchup aiming to capitalize on their recent 6-1 victory against Buffalo. Nick Suzuki leads the team with 32 points, comprising 11 goals and a team-high 21 assists, while Cole Caufield follows closely with 29 points, including a team-best 17 goals. In net for Montreal, Sam Montembeault has recorded a 10-13-2 record, boasting a 2.92 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage, whereas Cayden Primeau holds a 2-3-1 record with a 4.45 goals-against average and an .844 save percentage this season.
The Detroit Red Wings approach this game with the intention of capitalizing on their recent 6-4 triumph over Philadelphia. Lucas Raymond is the team’s leading scorer with 33 points, which includes 20 assists. Alex DeBrincat has accumulated 24 points, consisting of 13 goals and 11 assists. Dylan Larkin has achieved 26 points, highlighted by a team-leading 12 goals, while Moritz Seider has tallied 17 points, featuring 13 assists. In goal, Ville Husso has a record of 1-4-2, with a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.47 and a save percentage of .877. Cam Talbot’s record stands at 6-6-2, with a GAA of 2.69 and a .916 save percentage, while Alex Lyon has a record of 5-4, with a GAA of 2.88 and a .903 save percentage this season.
The Pick:
In this matchup, the Red Wings are undoubtedly the stronger team. While Montreal has occasionally shown potential, this is not one of those instances, as the Canadiens have been notably less effective in away games and in their head-to-head encounters. Detroit has consistently excelled in this rivalry over the last few years. I believe Detroit will sustain this performance and achieve another win, leading me to favor Detroit.
Utah Hockey Club vs Minnesota Wild Prediction NHL Picks 12/20/24
Utah at Wild at 8 PM ET
This season, the Utah Hockey Club has achieved a record of 15-11-5, having recently triumphed over Vancouver in an overtime match that ended with a score of 3-2. The Hockey Club outshot their opponents, totaling 31 shots against Vancouver’s 26. They secured 42.6% of face-offs and managed to score once on three power-play attempts. The goals for Utah were netted by Guenther, Keller, and Sergachev, with Vejmelka making 24 saves out of 26 shots.
After their latest game, in which they lost to Florida by a score of 6-1, the Minnesota Wild’s record stands at 20-8-4 for the season. In this contest, the Wild faced 33 shots compared to their own 27, achieved a face-off win percentage of 46.6%, and scored once on two power play opportunities. Rossi netted the only goal for Minnesota, and Fleury stopped 27 of the 33 shots he faced during the game.
The Pick:
The Minnesota team has faced challenges recently, suffering defeats in three of their last four contests, including a game where they allowed six goals. Although both teams have shown commendable defensive skills throughout the season, Utah’s recent performance has caught my attention. Back Utah for a big win in this encounter.
New York Rangers vs Dallas Stars Prediction NHL Picks 12/20/24
Rangers at Stars at 8 PM ET
The New York Rangers faced setbacks against the Predators and the Blues. At present, the team averages 2.97 goals per game and successfully converts 21.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Artemi Panarin leads the team with 15 goals, while Adam Fox has accumulated 24 assists. Vincent Trocheck has recorded a total of 78 shots on goal. In goal, Igor Shesterkin has permitted 66 goals from 717 shots, and Jonathan Quick has surrendered 22 goals from 259 shots faced.
The Dallas Stars secured a victory against the Capitals but suffered a defeat to the Maple Leafs. Currently, the team averages 3.23 goals per game and converts 17.5 percent of their power play chances. Matt Duchene is the leading scorer for Dallas with 13 goals, while Mason Marchment contributes with 15 assists, and Wyatt Johnston has recorded 82 shots on goal. In terms of goaltending, Jake Oettinger has conceded 56 goals from 613 shots faced, whereas Casey DeSmith has allowed 19 goals on 208 shots.
The Pick:
The Rangers find themselves in a challenging situation, having suffered defeats in 7 of their last 10 matches, with their offense struggling to find its rhythm. Notably, they have recorded 2 or fewer goals in 6 of those games. In contrast, the Dallas Stars have secured 13 of their 19 wins at home. Given the current state of the Rangers, it is hard to endorse them, as they seem to be losing grip on their season. Therefore, I will opt for the puck line to lower the expense.
Colorado Avalanche vs Anaheim Ducks Prediction NHL Picks 12/20/24
Avalanche at Ducks at 10 PM ET
Following their Thursday matchup against the San Jose Sharks, the Avalanche are expected to be fatigued. On Monday, they faced the Vancouver Canucks and were defeated with a score of 3-1. Mackenzie Blackwood, who was in goal, managed to save 22 out of 24 shots. Throughout the season, the Avalanche has averaged 3.24 goals per game, but their defense has been less effective, conceding an average of 3.45 goals. The team ranks 9th in offensive performance, while their defensive ranking stands at 27th.
In their latest encounter with the Winnipeg Jets, the Ducks secured a narrow 3-2 victory, despite not delivering a particularly dominant performance. Frank Vatrano was instrumental in the win, netting two goals and contributing an assist. Lukas Dostal performed admirably in goal, saving 21 of the 23 shots he faced. The Ducks are currently averaging 2.43 goals per game, while their defense allows an average of 3.03 goals. The team ranks 31st in offensive performance and 16th in defensive effectiveness within the league.
The Pick:
The Avalanche are experiencing exhaustion, which will adversely affect their output in this game. The Ducks, in their last outing, netted three goals and demonstrated strong defensive capabilities by conceding just two goals. In this encounter, the Avalanche’s offensive efforts are anticipated to falter, paving the way for a Ducks victory. Back the Ducks on the money line.