Jackson Kerbl

Senators vs. Hurricanes best bets Dec. 13: Take the under and back Gostisbehere, Batherson

Senators vs. Hurricanes best bets

The Ottawa Senators take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Friday’s lone NHL game.

The pregame narrative: The Senators have finally started to show some promise thanks to goaltender Linus Ullmark. Take the under and back Shayne Gostisbehere and Drake Batherson to produce.

Check out my Senators vs. Hurricanes best bets.

Senators vs. Hurricanes best bets

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Best bet: Under 6 goals (-108)

Carolina has consistently been a solid defensive team since head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s regime started in 2018.

Nothing has changed this season as the Canes rank high in the major defensive categories.

  • Goals/game: 12th (2.93)
  • Shots on goal/game: 2nd (25.1)
  • Penalty Kill: 3rd (84%)

Ottawa has been on a nice stretch lately, picking up wins in three of its last four games. That’s largely due to Linus Ullmark’s turnaround.

The Senators goalie has recorded a 4-0-1 record with a .944 save percentage in his last five starts. Before this, he began the season 4-7-1 with a .881 save percentage.

Whenever Ottawa travels to Carolina it seems to get shelled.

In the past four games, Ottawa has been outscored 15-5, while only recording one point over that stretch. That bodes well for this play.

Key stat: The under has hit in seven of the last 10 meetings between these teams.

Quick picks

Gostisbehere over 0.5 points (-125): Known for his offensive prowess, I like this spot for the Hurricanes defenceman to produce.

He plays on Carolina’s first-line powerplay, ranked third in the NHL (28.3%). The other four players on that line have odds of -177 or longer.

The American has been a machine this season, recording 25 points in 28 games. In his past eight contests, he has 11 points, with seven coming on the man-advantage.

Gostisbehere also performs well against the Senators. He’s racked up five goals, 17 assists and a plus-10 rating in 26 career games, per Statmuse.

Batherson over 0.5 goals (+235): I’m simply riding with this price until Batherson’s line adjusts.

The Senators’ winger has been lighting the lamp this season. With 12 goals, he needs just 16 more to break his career-high of 28. Ottawa’s fifth-ranked power play has been a huge bright spot this year.

Batherson is first on the Sens in power-play points (16) and second in power-play goals (7), only trailing Brady Tkachuk by one.

The former fourth-round pick has a shooting percentage of 18.8%, nearly six points higher than his career average of 13.1%.

Even with Carolina’s strong defensive play, it is somewhat vulnerable in the goalie position since Frederik Andersen went down with a knee injury.

Expected starter Pyotr Kochetkov has an inadequate .894 save percentage this year, while backup Dustin Tokarski has a 3.15 career goals-against average in the NHL.

Picks made at 11:57 a.m. ET on 12/13/2024.

NBA schedule, odds and betting lines Dec. 13: Cavaliers heavy favourites at home, Grizzlies look to stay hot

NBA schedule

Friday’s NBA slate features eight games.

The latest: The Brooklyn Nets travel to take on the Memphis Grizzlies, who are seeking their fourth-straight win. Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers host the dreadful Washington Wizards.

Check out our basketball betting lines and NBA schedule for Dec. 13.

NBA schedule: Dec. 13

Visit all of tonight’s NBA markets. Click on game odds below to bet now.

Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

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Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

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Brooklyn Nets vs. Memphis Grizzlies

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Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls

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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets

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Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz

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San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers

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Betting insights

  • The Wizards recently snapped a 16-game losing streak but got right back in the loss column when they took a 28-point beating to the Grizzlies on Sunday. Cleveland isn’t exactly a slump-busting team to go up against, as it owns a league-best 21-4 record. The Cavs also carry an 11-3-0 ATS record as a home favourite. Max Strus is expected to make his season debut Friday night.
  • Minnesota hosts the Lakers in an 8-seed vs. 9-seed showdown in the West. L.A. has covered just three times in the past 13 games, with a 2-5-0 ATS record as the away underdog this season. The T-Wolves have the slight edge in the head-to-head battle, taking six of the previous 10 games.
  • The 76ers host the deteriorating Indiana Pacers. After an Eastern Conference finals berth last season, the Pacers are 10-15 and carry an embarrassing 3-11 record on the road. Joel Embiid doesn’t have any injury designation and is coming off a promising 31 points in 33 minutes against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.
  • It seems like the Nuggets haven’t quite found their groove yet this season. Normally a perennial championship contender, Denver is seventh in the West with a 12-10 record. The LA Clippers have won the last four meetings against the Nuggets and hold a 16-9-0 ATS record on the year. Denver owns the fourth-worst ATS record in the NBA (8-13-1).
  • Phoenix hopes to snap a three-game losing streak as they travel to Utah to face the Jazz. The Suns have dominated the matchup lately, taking eight of the last 10 meetings. The Jazz are bottom five in offensive and defensive rating, with a 2-9 home record this season.

NBA schedule, odds and betting lines Dec. 12: Celtics, Heat heavy favourites at home

NBA schedule

Thursday’s NBA slate features just three games.

The latest: The defending champions Boston Celtics host the Detroit Pistons. Elsewhere the Toronto Raptors travel to the Sunshine State to take on the Miami Heat.

Check out our basketball betting lines and NBA schedule for Dec. 12.

NBA schedule: Dec. 12

Visit all of tonight’s NBA markets. Click on game odds below to bet now.

Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat

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Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics

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Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans

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Betting insights

  • After starting slowly this season, the Heat have started to pick things up. They’re currently on a three-game win streak and sit in fifth place, just two games behind the New York Knicks. Toronto owns the league’s best ATS record as an underdog (17-8-0). Raptor’s Scottie Barnes is sidelined with an ankle injury.
  • The Celtics put their 10-3 home record to the test against a team they’ve dominated recently. Boston has won 10 straight against Detroit but has only covered in four. The over is 7-2-1 in that stretch. The Celtics are first in points per game (120.1) and 3-pointers per game (19).
  • Sacramento looks to snap its six-game losing streak to New Orleans. The Pelicans have been decimated with injuries all season, resulting in their 5-20 record. They rank 30th in PPG (105.0), 3-pointers made/game (10.8) and 28th in field goal percentage (43.8%).

NHL parlay picks Dec. 10: Fade offence in Flames vs. Predators, bet on Hurricanes to win

NHL parlay picks

NHL fans are treated to an 11-game Tuesday slate.

The pregame narrative: The Carolina Hurricanes look like a strong pick at home, while a high-scoring affair awaits as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Colorado Avalanche.

Check out the full +320 NHL parlay picks for Dec. 10.

NHL parlay picks

Go to full NHL betting markets

Parlay: Hurricanes moneyline + Avalanche/Penguins over 6.5 goals + Flames/Predators under 5.5 goals +320

Hurricanes moneyline (-550): This almost feels like a trap game until I look at each team’s home/away splits.

Carolina owns a 10-3-0 record at home with a +20 goal differential, while San Jose is a dreadful 4-9-4 on the road this season.

The Hurricanes have lost six out of their last nine games, but I like them to get back in the win column against an inexperienced Sharks roster.

Carolina is 7-3 straight up against San Jose in the last 10 meetings. It has won five straight against the Sharks, outscoring them 18-9 in that stretch.

Other picks

Avalanche/Penguins over 6.5 goals (-125): I consider this a smash spot, as it’s clear both squads have struggled mightily on the defensive side this season.

The Penguins rank last in goals allowed per game (3.72), while the Avalanche rank third-last (3.55).

Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry is 45th in save percentage (.888) and 67th in goals against average (3.68) in the NHL among goalies.

Colorado is starting the untried backup Scott Wedgewood against the Penguins who have the fourth-highest expected goals per 60 (3.32), per Natural Stat Trick.

Pittsburgh has won two of its last three games but has allowed 10 goals in that span. I expect the floodgates to be opened on both sides in this matchup.

Flames/Predators under 5.5 goals (+100): Polar-opposite to the prior matchup, these two teams couldn’t buy a goal if they wanted to.

Nashville ranks last in the league in both goals per game (2.18) and shooting percentage (7.4%). Calgary scores 2.54 goals/game (29th) and has an 8.5% shooting percentage (31st).

The under on this total has hit six times in the last 10 meetings between these teams with the most recent contest being a 2-0 Calgary victory.

Both teams are top-10 in unders records in the NHL. The Preds own a league-best 20-8-0 unders record this season while the Flames hit the eighth-highest rate (16-11-1).

Picks made at 2:12 p.m. on 12/10/2024.

NHL parlay picks Dec. 10: Fade offence in Flames vs. Predators, bet on Hurricanes to win

NHL parlay picks

NHL fans are treated to an 11-game Tuesday slate.

The pregame narrative: The Carolina Hurricanes look like a strong pick at home, while a high-scoring affair awaits as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Colorado Avalanche.

Check out the full +338 NHL parlay picks for Dec. 10.

NHL parlay picks

Go to full NHL betting markets

Parlay: Hurricanes moneyline + Avalanche/Penguins over 6.5 goals + Flames/Predators under 5.5 goals +338

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Hurricanes moneyline (-480): This almost feels like a trap game until I look at each team’s home/away splits.

Carolina owns a 10-3-0 record at home with a +20 goal differential, while San Jose is a dreadful 4-9-4 on the road this season.

The Hurricanes have lost six out of their last nine games, but I like them to get back in the win column against an inexperienced Sharks roster.

Carolina is 7-3 straight up against San Jose in the last 10 meetings. It has won five straight against the Sharks, outscoring them 18-9 in that stretch.

Other picks

Avalanche/Penguins over 6.5 goals (-124): I consider this a smash spot, as it’s clear both squads have struggled mightily on the defensive side this season.

The Penguins rank last in goals allowed per game (3.72), while the Avalanche rank third-last (3.55).

Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry is 45th in save percentage (.888) and 67th in goals against average (3.68) in the NHL among goalies.

Colorado is starting the untried backup Scott Wedgewood against the Penguins who have the fourth-highest expected goals per 60 (3.32), per Natural Stat Trick.

Pittsburgh has won two of its last three games but has allowed 10 goals in that span. I expect the floodgates to be opened on both sides in this matchup.

Flames/Predators under 5.5 goals (+100): Polar-opposite to the prior matchup, these two teams couldn’t buy a goal if they wanted to.

Nashville ranks last in the league in both goals per game (2.18) and shooting percentage (7.4%). Calgary scores 2.54 goals/game (29th) and has an 8.5% shooting percentage (31st).

The under on this total has hit six times in the last 10 meetings between these teams with the most recent contest being a 2-0 Calgary victory.

Both teams are top-10 in unders records in the NHL. The Preds own a league-best 20-8-0 unders record this season while the Flames hit the eighth-highest rate (16-11-1).

Picks made at 1:38 p.m. on 12/10/2024.

NFL division winner odds for 2024 season: Buccaneers the new favourites to win NFC South

NFL division winner odds

Winning an NFL division means locking in a home playoff game. Let’s see who’s already clinched, and who’s primed to do so now that we’re in the home stretch of the season.

The latest: The Buffalo Bills were the first team to clinch their division in Week 13. One week later, the Kansas City Chiefs got in on the fun and clinched the AFC West for the ninth year in a row. On the other side, the NFC South and NFC West are coming down to the wire.

Check out the latest NFL division winner odds for the 2024-25 season below.

NFL division winner odds

AFC North

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  • After wins in seven of the last eight games, the Steelers are now the odds-on favourites to win the division. Two games up on the Ravens, Pittsburgh controls its own destiny. T.J. Watt looks more and more like the Defensive Player of the Year every game, and Russell Wilson keeps cooking — now 6-1 as the starting quarterback.
  • Baltimore lost two of three games before heading into a Week 14 bye. With only four games remaining, the Ravens will need some help from other teams to leap-frog the Steelers. They still have a very strong chance of making the playoffs as a wild-card team.

NFL division winner odds: AFC South

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  • The Texans (8-5) have a stranglehold on the top seed with their 4-1 division record. Joe Mixon, who was acquired in the offseason, has been a huge contributor for Houston. He’s averaging 113.1 scrimmage yards a game, trailing only Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.
  • Indianapolis is the only team that can catch Houston, but the Colts are still two games behind and lost both head-to-head matchups. With Anthony Richardson at the helm, I would kiss the Colts’ chances goodbye.

NFC East

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  • The Eagles are currently on a nine-game win streak that includes a victory over the Commanders. They also had an impressive showing at Baltimore in Week 13, gaining a 24-19 victory. Philly controls its own fate but will meet with Washington again on Dec. 22.
  • Washington came out of the gates scorching hot, and Jayden Daniels put himself in the early ROTY conversation. The Commanders (8-5) have lost three of their last four games but still look like a playoff-bound team.

NFC North

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  • The Lions (12-1) are a top-tier football team. They’ve won 11 straight games, and coach Dan Campbell has his guys buzzing on both sides of the ball. Not only is Detroit the favourite to win the NFC, but it’s also the Super Bowl frontrunner.
  • Just one game behind the Lions are the Vikings, who’ve played some very impressive football this year. Sam Darnold is having a resurgent season and thanks to Brian Flores, the Vikes are allowing the sixth-fewest points per game (18.5).
  • The Packers (9-4) sit third in the division and own a 1-3 record against the NFC North. Green Bay lost a 34-31 prime-time thriller to the Lions in Week 14, so the chances of catching Detroit are slim to none at this stage in the season.

NFC South

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  • Tampa Bay (7-6) is on a three-game hot streak with a one-game lead over the Falcons for first in the division heading into Week 15. The Bucs close out the season with the Chargers, Cowboys, Panthers and Saints.
  • The Falcons have lost four straight games heading into Week 15. They sit in second place but hold the tie-breaker thanks to a 4-1 record against their NFC South foes. Kirk Cousins has struggled lately, and some fans are demanding to see rookie QB Michael Penix.

NFL division winner odds: NFC West

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  • Seattle (8-5) is the odds-on favourite to win the division after winning its last four games. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is having a breakout year with 911 yards through 13 games to compliment a deep running back room with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.
  • The Rams are 7-6 with a 2-1 record against the division. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both back from injury, the Rams could make a strong push for the playoffs down the stretch. They look to keep the win streak alive against the 49ers in Week 15.
  • The Cardinals sit at 6-7 and have fallen two games behind the Seahawks for first place. They’ve beaten the Rams and the 49ers once each but lost to the Seahawks in Week 12 and again in Week 14.
  • This is not the type of Kyle Shanahan-led 49ers season we’re used to. San Francisco’s three-year streak of 10-plus wins is on the line after a 6-7 start through Week 13. They sit last in the division with losses to the Rams and Cardinals.

NBA schedule, odds and betting lines Dec. 10: Thunder favoured at home vs. Mavericks

NBA schedule

Tuesday night features the first set of NBA Cup quarterfinal matchups.

The latest: The Milwaukee Bucks face a shorthanded Orlando Magic squad that is missing key players. Elsewhere, the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Dallas Mavericks in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference semifinals.

Check out our basketball betting lines and NBA schedule for Dec. 10.

NBA schedule: Dec. 10

Visit all of our NBA markets.

Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks
ML odds: Orlando +275, Milwaukee -350
Spread: Bucks -8 (-110)

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
ML odds: Dallas +155, Oklahoma City -188
Spread: Thunder -4 (-110)

Betting insights

  • The Magic will have their two best players sidelined for Tuesday’s game. Franz Wagner tore his right oblique last week, and Paolo Banchero is nearing his return but is still out with the same injury. The Bucks have no injury restrictions and are 8.5-point favourites, understandably so.
  • Orlando is 2-6 ATS as an underdog this season. Milwaukee is 8-2 straight up in its past 10 games but just 5-5 ATS in that span.
  • The first-place Thunder host the scorching-hot Dallas Mavericks, who have won seven straight games. Dallas beat OKC in a 121-119 thriller earlier this year and took care of the Thunder in six games in last year’s playoffs. Dallas is 5-2-1 ATS as an underdog this season.
  • Dallas is 10-2 ATS in its past 12 games, winning four of those straight up as an underdog. OKC is 5-1-1 ATS in its past seven games and was favoured in each of them.

NBA odds as of 1:19 p.m. ET on 12/09/2024.

NBA schedule, odds and betting lines Dec. 10: Thunder favoured at home vs. Mavericks

NBA schedule

Tuesday night features the first set of NBA Cup quarterfinal matchups.

The latest: The Milwaukee Bucks face a shorthanded Orlando Magic squad that is missing key players. Elsewhere, the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Dallas Mavericks in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference semifinals.

Check out our basketball betting lines and NBA schedule for Dec. 10.

NBA schedule: Dec. 10

Visit all of tonight’s NBA markets. Click on game odds below to bet now.

Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks

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Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

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Betting insights

  • The Magic will have their two best players sidelined for Tuesday’s game. Franz Wagner tore his right oblique last week, and Paolo Banchero is nearing his return but is still out with the same injury. The Bucks have no injury restrictions and are 8.5-point favourites, understandably so.
  • Orlando is 2-6 ATS as an underdog this season. Milwaukee is 8-2 straight up in its past 10 games but just 5-5 ATS in that span.
  • The first-place Thunder host the scorching-hot Dallas Mavericks, who have won seven straight games. Dallas beat OKC in a 121-119 thriller earlier this year and took care of the Thunder in six games in last year’s playoffs. Dallas is 5-2-1 ATS as an underdog this season.
  • Dallas is 10-2 ATS in its past 12 games, winning four of those straight up as an underdog. OKC is 5-1-1 ATS in its past seven games and was favoured in each of them.

NHL prop picks Dec. 6: Back Boldy, Cuylle on Friday Night

NHL prop picks

There are only six NHL games today but I found two player props worth taking.

The pregame narrative: Will Cuylle headlines the picks as the sophomore winger has been hot for the New York Rangers. I’m also backing Matthew Boldy’s shots prop against the Anaheim Ducks.

Check out my NHL prop picks for Dec. 6.

NHL prop picks

Go to full NHL betting markets.

Best bet: Cuylle to record a point (+100)

Cuylle has found his groove in his second year with the Rangers.

The former Windsor Spitfire recorded a lousy 21 points in 81 games last year but has certainly turned things around this season.

Through 24 games, Cuylle has 20 points, and head coach Peter Laviolette is trusting the 22-year-old with more playing time.

Over Cuylle’s last four games, his average ice time has spiked drastically:

  • First 20 games: 14:04
  • Last 4 games: 18:06

A four-minute increase is massive for a young player on a contending team. He’s currently on the third line and second power-play unit, and with his recent play, I could see a promotion shortly.

Cuylle has produced at a point-per-game pace in his last 11 outings, with a shooting percentage of 23.8% over that stretch.

For context, he had a 10.9% shooting percentage last season.

Key stat: The Pittsburgh Penguins are tied for most goals allowed per game in the NHL (3.78).

Quick pick

Boldy over 3.5 shots (-154): Anaheim, surprisingly, have allowed the seventh-fewest goals this season despite some alarming statistical categories.

  • 32nd in shots against/game (33.3)
  • 24th in penalty kill percentage (75.8%)

Boldy has been nearly a point-per-game player this season, playing big-time minutes on Minnesota’s top forward line and power play.

The American averages the sixth-most shots per game (3.72) in the league and has cleared this mark in four of the last five games.

The Ducks also allow the most high-danger chances per 60, per Natural Stat Trick, adding additional incentive for the winger to keep firing the puck.

Picks made at 2:03 p.m. 12/06/2024.

NHL prop picks Dec. 6: Back Boldy, Cuylle on Friday Night

NHL prop picks

There are only six NHL games today but I found two player props worth taking.

The pregame narrative: Will Cuylle headlines the picks as the sophomore winger has been hot for the New York Rangers. I’m also backing Matthew Boldy’s shots prop against the Anaheim Ducks.

Check out my NHL prop picks for Dec. 6.

NHL prop picks

Go to full NHL betting markets.

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Best bet: Cuylle to record a point (+123)

Cuylle has found his groove in his second year with the Rangers.

The former Windsor Spitfire recorded a lousy 21 points in 81 games last year but has certainly turned things around this season.

Through 24 games, Cuylle has 20 points, and head coach Peter Laviolette is trusting the 22-year-old with more playing time.

Over Cuylle’s last four games, his average ice time has spiked drastically:

  • First 20 games: 14:04
  • Last 4 games: 18:06

A four-minute increase is massive for a young player on a contending team. He’s currently on the third line and second power-play unit, and with his recent play, I could see a promotion shortly.

Cuylle has produced at a point-per-game pace in his last 11 outings, with a shooting percentage of 23.8% over that stretch.

For context, he had a 10.9% shooting percentage last season.

Key stat: The Pittsburgh Penguins are tied for most goals allowed per game in the NHL (3.78).

Quick pick

Boldy over 3.5 shots (-125): Anaheim, surprisingly, have allowed the seventh-fewest goals this season despite some alarming statistical categories.

  • 32nd in shots against/game (33.3)
  • 24th in penalty kill percentage (75.8%)

Boldy has been nearly a point-per-game player this season, playing big-time minutes on Minnesota’s top forward line and power play.

The American averages the sixth-most shots per game (3.72) in the league and has cleared this mark in four of the last five games.

The Ducks also allow the most high-danger chances per 60, per Natural Stat Trick, adding additional incentive for the winger to keep firing the puck.

Picks made at 12:01 p.m. 12/06/2024.