Staff Writer

Rangers vs. Panthers NHL Winter Classic Predictions: Bet on New York to win a low-scoring game

The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers take it outside in sunny Miami for Friday’s Winter Classic showdown.

The pregame narrative: The roof will be open at LoanDepot Park for tonight’s matchup. With temperatures hovering around 17 degrees Celsius, I’m skeptical about the ice conditions for this matchup. With that in mind, I’ll happily back the under and the underdogs in this contest.

Check out my Rangers vs. Panthers predictions for Jan. 2 below.

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Rangers vs. Panthers predictions

Best Bet: Under 5.5 goals (-106)

The pageantry of the NHL’s Winter Classic is typically grandiose enough to mask the major underlying issue with almost all of them.

The ice conditions are usually pretty bad.

There is a large enough sample size now to dissect the impact of taking games outdoors, and the edge does not go to offences:

11 of 16 games had five goals or fewer.

Eight of 16 games had four goals or fewer.

And perhaps the most important detail in terms of this pick is that none of those games were held in Florida.

-> Take the under at the Winter Classic here!

A 17-degree Celsius forecast for tonight’s contest would undoubtedly be the warmest in the event’s history.

The Rangers, meanwhile, already have enough issues scoring as it is. They rank 31st in goals per game (2.55), and have scored two or fewer in nine of their last 13 contests.

Florida isn’t clicking on all offensive cylinders, either, ahead of this game. The Cats have scored two or fewer in three of their last five games.

With the potential for sloppy conditions and unimpressive offences, I’ll happily back the under.

Key stat: New York has the highest unders percentage in the NHL (64.3%).

Who will win the Winter Classic?

Rangers moneyline (+120): If the conditions are sloppy, one would expect that to favour New York.

The Rangers aren’t a high-powered offence, but bad ice could drag the Panthers to their level.

New York enters Friday riding a three-game losing streak, but Florida isn’t lighting the league on fire either.

-> Bet on the Rangers to win at NorthStarBets!

The Panthers have lost three of their last five games.

Recent struggles from Sergei Bobrovsky are also worth noting. The veteran puck-stopper owns a very pedestrian .889 save percentage in his last four appearances.

Rangers vs. Panthers predictions made at 9:45 a.m. ET Jan. 2, 2025.

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Rangers vs. Panthers NHL Winter Classic Predictions: Bet on New York to win a low-scoring game

The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers take it outside in sunny Miami for Friday’s Winter Classic showdown.

The pregame narrative: The roof will be open at LoanDepot Park for tonight’s matchup. With temperatures hovering around 17 degrees Celsius, I’m skeptical about the ice conditions for this matchup. With that in mind, I’ll happily back the under and the underdogs in this contest.

Check out my Rangers vs. Panthers predictions for Jan. 2 below.

-> Join NorthStar Bets to start betting on the NHL

Rangers vs. Panthers predictions

Best Bet: Under 5.5 goals (-107)

The pageantry of the NHL’s Winter Classic is typically grandiose enough to mask the major underlying issue with almost all of them.

The ice conditions are usually pretty bad.

There is a large enough sample size now to dissect the impact of taking games outdoors, and the edge does not go to offences:

11 of 16 games had five goals or fewer.

Eight of 16 games had four goals or fewer.

And perhaps the most important detail in terms of this pick is that none of those games were held in Florida.

-> Take the under at the Winter Classic here!

A 17-degree Celsius forecast for tonight’s contest would undoubtedly be the warmest in the event’s history.

The Rangers, meanwhile, already have enough issues scoring as it is. They rank 31st in goals per game (2.55), and have scored two or fewer in nine of their last 13 contests.

Florida isn’t clicking on all offensive cylinders, either, ahead of this game. The Cats have scored two or fewer in three of their last five games.

With the potential for sloppy conditions and unimpressive offences, I’ll happily back the under.

Key stat: New York has the highest unders percentage in the NHL (64.3%).

Embed: #122517

Who will win the Winter Classic?

Rangers moneyline (+133): If the conditions are sloppy, one would expect that to favour New York.

The Rangers aren’t a high-powered offence, but bad ice could drag the Panthers to their level.

New York enters Friday riding a three-game losing streak, but Florida isn’t lighting the league on fire either.

-> Bet on the Rangers to win at NorthStarBets!

The Panthers have lost three of their last five games.

Recent struggles from Sergei Bobrovsky are also worth noting. The veteran puck-stopper owns a very pedestrian .889 save percentage in his last four appearances.

Rangers vs. Panthers predictions made at 9:45 a.m. ET Jan. 2, 2025.

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NFL Week 18 staff best bets: Back Titans to stun Jaguars, expect big game from Derrick Henry

The final week of the NFL regular season is here, and we’re sifting through the madness to deliver our best bets.

The Week 18 narrative: The Jacksonville Jaguars have everything to play for in Week 18, but expect the free-wheeling Tennessee Titans to give them a game and pull off the upset. Derrick Henry has plenty of juice left in the tank and should run all over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Check out our NFL Week 18 staff best bets for our favourite picks this weekend, featuring a prop bet on Bucky Irving.

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NFL Week 18 best bets

These NFL Week 18 best bets were provided by NorthStar Bets writers Steven Psihogios and Spencer Closs.

Titans moneyline (+525): A Jacksonville win secures the AFC South crown.

I don’t expect that to happen.

Tennessee is quietly playing better football lately. Since losing to the Jags, 25-3, it has won two of its last four games.

This is by far the biggest game on the Titans’ schedule, and I expect them to treat it as such.

Jacksonville earned a lot of credit for its Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos, but I wasn’t impressed with its victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Jaguars played with their food in a 23-17 win over Indianapolis. The offence routinely stalled in the red zone, going just 2-for-5 inside the 20 with an end zone interception from Trevor Lawrence.

Cam Ward, meanwhile, is starting to show why he was the first overall pick. Ward has thrown eight touchdowns to just one interception in his last four games.

I expect Tennessee to be up for this game and to stun Jacksonville.

-Psihogios

-> Bet on the NFL’s Week 18 slate at NorthStar Bets!

49ers moneyline (+100): San Fran is looking like a true contender at the right time. And now they have a chance to be the NFC’s No. 1 seed if they can beat the Seahawks.

At home, it’s hard to pick against the 49ers. They are on a six-game win streak, averaging 35.6 points per game.

In the past four games, Brock Purdy has 15 total touchdowns (12 passing, three rushing) with just two interceptions.

Seattle has also won six straight, but won three of those games by less than a touchdown.

There’s no questioning that the Seahawks are also great, but the home-field advantage and recent performances have me leaning toward the underdog.

–Closs

NFL Week 18 prop bets

Henry over 92.5 rushing yards (-118): Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is finally figuring out that he’s not going to get elite quarterback play this year.

Neither Lamar Jackson nor Tyler Huntley has shown that they’re going to carry the offence. Last week, Harbaugh finally gave Henry the keys to the offence, and he didn’t let him down:

36 carries
216 rushing yards
Four touchdowns

Henry absolutely gashed the Green Bay Packers’ defence.

Whether it’s Jackson or Huntley under centre, it doesn’t matter. The Ravens are in must-win territory, and they’re not going to play around with their season.

Baltimore fed Henry in its first meeting with Pittsburgh this year. The legendary running back received 25 carries and topped this total with 94 rushing yards.

He’s going to see another hulking workload on Sunday night and should breeze by this total.

-Psihogios

Irving anytime touchdown (+140): The Buccaneers running back has played nine games this season thanks to an injury, but he’s been busy when active.

He’s had at least 14 carries in eight of nine games with 55-plus rushing yards in six games.

Last Sunday was the outlier as Irving ran the ball just nine times for 19 yards. He did have five catches equalling 14 touches in a down week, which is nothing to dwell on.

It shows how important he is to this offence, and he’ll need to get going in this game to decide the NFC South.

In nine games, he has only one touchdown, but as you can see, the volume has been there, meaning some regression to the mean should be coming.

And what better time to find the end zone? The Panthers are a below-average rush defence, allowing 122.3 ground yards per game and the fourth most rushing TDs to the position (16).

–Closs

NFL staff best bets made at 4:15 p.m. ET on 12/31/2025.

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NFL Week 18 staff best bets: Back Titans to stun Jaguars, expect big game from Derrick Henry

The final week of the NFL regular season is here, and we’re sifting through the madness to deliver our best bets.

The Week 18 narrative: The Jacksonville Jaguars have everything to play for in Week 18, but expect the free-wheeling Tennessee Titans to give them a game and pull off the upset. Derrick Henry has plenty of juice left in the tank and should run all over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Check out our NFL Week 18 staff best bets for our favourite picks this weekend, featuring a prop bet on Bucky Irving.

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NFL Week 18 best bets

These NFL Week 18 best bets were provided by NorthStar Bets writers Steven Psihogios and Spencer Closs.

Titans moneyline (+550): A Jacksonville win secures the AFC South crown.

I don’t expect that to happen.

Tennessee is quietly playing better football lately. Since losing to the Jags, 25-3, it has won two of its last four games.

This is by far the biggest game on the Titans’ schedule, and I expect them to treat it as such.

Jacksonville earned a lot of credit for its Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos, but I wasn’t impressed with its victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The Jaguars played with their food in a 23-17 win over Indianapolis. The offence routinely stalled in the red zone, going just 2-for-5 inside the 20 with an end zone interception from Trevor Lawrence.

Cam Ward, meanwhile, is starting to show why he was the first overall pick. Ward has thrown eight touchdowns to just one interception in his last four games.

I expect Tennessee to be up for this game and to stun Jacksonville.

-Psihogios

-> Bet on the NFL’s Week 18 slate at NorthStar Bets!

49ers moneyline (+102): San Fran is looking like a true contender at the right time. And now they have a chance to be the NFC’s No. 1 seed if they can beat the Seahawks.

At home, it’s hard to pick against the 49ers. They are on a six-game win streak, averaging 35.6 points per game.

In the past four games, Brock Purdy has 15 total touchdowns (12 passing, three rushing) with just two interceptions.

Seattle has also won six straight, but won three of those games by less than a touchdown.

There’s no questioning that the Seahawks are also great, but the home-field advantage and recent performances have me leaning toward the underdog.

–Closs

NFL Week 18 prop bets

Henry over 89.5 rushing yards (-117): Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is finally figuring out that he’s not going to get elite quarterback play this year.

Neither Lamar Jackson nor Tyler Huntley has shown that they’re going to carry the offence. Last week, Harbaugh finally gave Henry the keys to the offence, and he didn’t let him down:

36 carries
216 rushing yards
Four touchdowns

Henry absolutely gashed the Green Bay Packers’ defence.

Whether it’s Jackson or Huntley under centre, it doesn’t matter. The Ravens are in must-win territory, and they’re not going to play around with their season.

Baltimore fed Henry in its first meeting with Pittsburgh this year. The legendary running back received 25 carries and topped this total with 94 rushing yards.

He’s going to see another hulking workload on Sunday night and should breeze by this total.

-Psihogios

Irving anytime touchdown (+125): The Buccaneers running back has played nine games this season thanks to an injury, but he’s been busy when active.

He’s had at least 14 carries in eight of nine games with 55-plus rushing yards in six games.

Last Sunday was the outlier as Irving ran the ball just nine times for 19 yards. He did have five catches equalling 14 touches in a down week, which is nothing to dwell on.

It shows how important he is to this offence, and he’ll need to get going in this game to decide the NFC South.

In nine games, he has only one touchdown, but as you can see, the volume has been there, meaning some regression to the mean should be coming.

And what better time to find the end zone? The Panthers are a below-average rush defence, allowing 122.3 ground yards per game and the fourth most rushing TDs to the position (16).

–Closs

NFL staff best bets made at 4:15 p.m. ET on 12/31/2025.

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Ole Miss vs. Georgia Sugar Bowl SGP predictions: Bet on the Rebels, fade Gunner Stockton in +310 ticket

The Ole Miss Rebels and the Georgia Bulldogs fight for the final spot in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

The pregame narrative: Ole Miss and Georgia played a close game earlier this year, and I expect another tight contest. I’m taking the under on this game total as I expect familiarity to lead to better defensive results, and I’m also fading Gunner Stockton.

Check out my Ole Miss vs. Georgia predictions in this +310 same-game parlay.

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OIe Miss vs. Georgia predictions

Parlay: Ole Miss +6.5 | Under 56.5 points | Stockton under 249.5 passing yards (+310)

Ole Miss +6.5 (-112): The Rebels nearly upset the Bulldogs in their lone meeting earlier this year.

I’m betting on Ole Miss to keep it competitive once again.

Georgia won the first contest, 43-35, but the final score doesn’t tell the full story. Ole Miss led the game, 35-26, through the first three quarters before an 0-17 run in the fourth led the Bulldogs to victory.

-> Bet on the Rebels at NorthStar Bets!

The Bulldogs’ inability to stop Trinidad Chambliss is another reason to like the Rebels. The quarterback threw for 263 yards and a touchdown while adding 42 yards and two scores on the ground in the first meeting.

Similar results from Chambliss should lead to a solid showing from Ole Miss.

-> Check out NorthStar Bets’ College Football Playoff prop markets

Rebels vs. Bulldogs SGP picks

Under 56.5 points (-114): Secondly, I expect fewer points the second time around.

Georgia’s offence isn’t necessarily lighting it up ahead of this game. The Bulldogs have combined for 44 points across their last two, including a 16-point showing against a very underwhelming Georgia Tech defence.

-> Take the under at NorthStar Bets!

Additionally, I expect rust to be a factor for Georgia. It hasn’t played at all since Dec. 6, which is a long time to be off before competing in a high-pressure game.

If Georgia’s offence takes even a quarter to get going, I really like the under on this number to come through.

Stockton under 249.5 passing yards (-225): Lastly, I’m taking the under on Stockton’s passing yards.

The Georgia QB had his second-highest passing total in this year’s game against Ole Miss. He threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns in his team’s victory.

-> Fade Stockton at NorthStar Bets!

So why am I fading him this time around?

Firstly, Ole Miss’s defence has largely been solid against opposing passers this season. The Rebels have held opponents to 147.8 passing yards per game.

Secondly, rust can be a potential problem. The Bulldogs only averaged 220.3 passing yards per contest in 2025, and if they’re not in sync early on, this number could be hard to hit.

Thirdly, this isn’t a number Stockton beat very often. He fell short of this total in 10 of 13 outings.

Ole Miss vs. Georgia predictions made at 2:12 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2025.

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NHL parlay picks and predictions: Bet on Oilers’ McDavid, Devils’ Bratt in +190 ticket

Two player props make the ticket for my NHL parlay picks for Dec. 31.

Today’s NHL parlay picks narrative: Connor McDavid is heating up and is a great pick to have a night against the defensively inept Boston Bruins. Elsewhere, Jesper Bratt is a great pick to find the stat sheet.

Check out the full +336 NHL parlay predictions Dec. 31 below.

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NHL parlay predictions Dec. 31

Parlay: McDavid 2+ points | Bratt 1+ points (+190)

McDavid 2+ points (-134): McDavid’s last 13 games have been nothing short of otherworldly, and I want in for this plus matchup.

McDavid has 33 points across his last 13 games, notching 13 goals with 20 assists.

-> Don’t miss out — Bet on McDavid props now!

He’s topped this total in nine games during this run, even scoring three-plus points in nearly half of those outings (six).

Tonight, his Oilers battle a Bruins team that’s one of the worst defensive units by the numbers:

T-25th in goals allowed per game (3.28).

T-27th in shots allowed per game (29.8).

31st in expected goals per 60 (3.52).

27th in high-danger chances allowed per 60 (13.09).

Boston has allowed four-plus goals in four of its last five games.

McDavid scored two points against the Bruins earlier this month, and there’s value in him doing it again.

Other picks

Bratt 1+ points (-150): Bratt is pointless in five of his last six games, but I expect him to shine on Wednesday.

New Jersey is coming off a shutout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the offence should be extra motivated to bounce back.

-> Make your own NHL parlay at NorthStar Bets

The opponent is right for the Devils to deliver in a major way. The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the worst squads in the NHL:

28th in goals allowed per game (3.34).

29th in penalty kill percentage (75.7).

30th in shots against per game (30.6).

Bratt has done well against Columbus this season. He has three points in two games against the squad.

NHL parlay predictions made at 12:12 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025.

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NHL parlay picks and predictions: Bet on Oilers’ McDavid, Avalanche’s Landeskog in +336 ticket

Three player props make the ticket for my NHL parlay picks for Dec. 31.

Today’s NHL parlay picks narrative: Connor McDavid is heating up and is a great pick to have a night against the defensively inept Boston Bruins. Elsewhere, Jesper Bratt and Gabriel Landeskog are great picks to find the stat sheet.

Check out the full +336 NHL parlay predictions Dec. 31 below.

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NHL parlay predictions Dec. 31

Parlay: McDavid 2+ points | Bratt 1+ points | Landeskog 1+ points (+336)

McDavid 2+ points (-132): McDavid’s last 13 games have been nothing short of otherworldly, and I want in for this plus matchup.

McDavid has 33 points across his last 13 games, notching 13 goals with 20 assists.

-> Don’t miss out — Bet on McDavid props now!

He’s topped this total in nine games during this run, even scoring three-plus points in nearly half of those outings (six).

Tonight, his Oilers battle a Bruins team that’s one of the worst defensive units by the numbers:

T-25th in goals allowed per game (3.28).

T-27th in shots allowed per game (29.8).

31st in expected goals per 60 (3.52).

27th in high-danger chances allowed per 60 (13.09).

Boston has allowed four-plus goals in four of its last five games.

McDavid scored two points against the Bruins earlier this month, and there’s value in him doing it again.

Embed: #122501

Other picks

Bratt 1+ points (-162): Bratt is pointless in five of his last six games, but I expect him to shine on Wednesday.

New Jersey is coming off a shutout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the offence should be extra motivated to bounce back.

-> Make your own NHL parlay at NorthStar Bets

The opponent is right for the Devils to deliver in a major way. The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the worst squads in the NHL:

28th in goals allowed per game (3.34).

29th in penalty kill percentage (75.7).

30th in shots against per game (30.6).

Bratt has done well against Columbus this season. He has three points in two games against the squad.

Landeskog 1+ points (-190): Lastly, I’m banking on a point from Landeskog.

The Colorado Avalanche’s captain is playing some solid hockey ahead of this contest. He has four points in his last four games.

The matchup couldn’t be better, either, as the Avs battle the St. Louis Blues.

St. Louis is among the league’s worst in two key categories:

29th in goals against per game (3.38).

30th in save percentage (.879).

Poor goaltending is a huge problem against the league’s top offence.

Colorado is averaging 4.00 goals per game, and if the offence produces to that level, Landeskog should notch a point.

NHL parlay predictions made at 12:12 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025.

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Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets Dec. 31: Bet on Denver’s Bruce Brown to shine, fade Jamal Murray

The Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors collide in a New Year’s Eve showdown.

The pregame narrative: Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon are out for Denver, meaning others will have to pick up the slack. Bruce Brown is a player I’m looking to shine in their absence. Jamal Murray is now the main focus for opposing defences, which is why I’m fading him.

Check out my Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets for Dec. 31, featuring predictions for Brandon Ingram.

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Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets

Best Bet: Brown over 9.5 points (-120)

Brown’s offensive numbers are up recently, and I want in.

Firstly, his minutes are up. Brown is averaging 28.0 minutes played across his last seven games, more than four minutes above his season average before this stretch (23.7).

-> Bet on Bruce Brown tonight!

Naturally, that’s leading to more offensive production. Brown has scored 11-plus points in five games during this run and is coming off a 15-point performance against the Miami Heat.

The Raptors are an average matchup for opposing guards, but this is more of a play on Denver’s current offensive situation.

With Jokic out, specifically, there are plenty of looks available in the Nuggets’ offence.

If a few more opportunities go Brown’s way, he’ll keep doing what he has been: beating this line.

Key stat: Brown has an effective field-goal percentage of .667 percent over his last seven contests.

Raptors picks and predictions

Ingram under 22.5 points (-118): Ingram is having a strong season, but I’m skeptical of his chances of having an above-average offensive night.

-> Bet on Nuggets vs. Raptors tonight!

The small forward’s production has been sporadic lately. He’s topped 25 points in two of his last five games, but he’s failed to hit 20 in the other three contests.

This isn’t a number the Raptors star is beating consistently, either. Ingram is only averaging 21.9 points per game this season.

Murray under 3.5 threes (-143): Lastly, I’m fading Murray’s three-point prop.

The Kitchener, Ontario, native is having his best three-point shooting season. He’s averaging a personal best of 3.5 makes and 7.7 attempts per contest.

-> Fade Jamal Murray at NorthStar Bets!

Murray has cooled off, however, in his last couple of games. He’s hit only two in each of those contests.

I expect Toronto’s defence to pay Murray extra attention with Jokic out. Look for the Raptors to clamp down on what he does best and make his life difficult from beyond the arc.

Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets made at 10:28 a.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2025.

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Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets Dec. 31: Bet on Denver’s Bruce Brown to shine, fade Jamal Murray

The Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors collide in a New Year’s Eve showdown.

The pregame narrative: Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon are out for Denver, meaning others will have to pick up the slack. Bruce Brown is a player I’m looking to shine in their absence. Jamal Murray is now the main focus for opposing defences, which is why I’m fading him.

Check out my Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets for Dec. 31, featuring predictions for Brandon Ingram.

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Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets

Best Bet: Brown over 10.5 points (+102)

Brown’s offensive numbers are up recently, and I want in.

Firstly, his minutes are up. Brown is averaging 28.0 minutes played across his last seven games, more than four minutes above his season average before this stretch (23.7).

-> Bet on Bruce Brown tonight!

Naturally, that’s leading to more offensive production. Brown has scored 11-plus points in five games during this run and is coming off a 15-point performance against the Miami Heat.

The Raptors are an average matchup for opposing guards, but this is more of a play on Denver’s current offensive situation.

With Jokic out, specifically, there are plenty of looks available in the Nuggets’ offence.

If a few more opportunities go Brown’s way, he’ll keep doing what he has been: beating this line.

Key stat: Brown has an effective field-goal percentage of .667 percent over his last seven contests.

Embed: #122494

Raptors picks and predictions

Ingram under 23.5 points (-122): Ingram is having a strong season, but I’m skeptical of his chances of having an above-average offensive night.

-> Bet on Nuggets vs. Raptors tonight!

The small forward’s production has been sporadic lately. He’s topped 25 points in two of his last five games, but he’s failed to hit 20 in the other three contests.

This isn’t a number the Raptors star is beating consistently, either. Ingram is only averaging 21.9 points per game this season.

Murray under 3.5 threes (-112): Lastly, I’m fading Murray’s three-point prop.

The Kitchener, Ontario, native is having his best three-point shooting season. He’s averaging a personal best of 3.5 makes and 7.7 attempts per contest.

-> Fade Jamal Murray at NorthStar Bets!

Murray has cooled off, however, in his last couple of games. He’s hit only two in each of those contests.

I expect Toronto’s defence to pay Murray extra attention with Jokic out. Look for the Raptors to clamp down on what he does best and make his life difficult from beyond the arc.

Nuggets vs. Raptors prop bets made at 10:28 a.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2025.

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NHL picks and predictions Dec. 30: Bet on Marchand, Barzal and Ehlers to shine

A trio of NHL stars headline my NHL predictions for Dec. 30.

Today’s NHL picks narrative: Mathew Barzal and Brad Marchand are having solid seasons, and they are great picks to top their shot props. Elsewhere, Nikolaj Ehlers is heating up and has a palatable line to score a point.

Check out my NHL predictions for Dec. 30.

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NHL predictions Dec. 30

Best Bet: Barzal over 2.5 shots (+120)

Barzal is putting more pucks on goal recently, and I want in on this prop at plus-money odds.

The Islanders forward has topped this line in two of his last four games, and it would’ve been three had he not exacted vigilante justice for rookie teammate Matthew Schaefer.

Marchment tripped Schaefer and Barzal was NOT having it slashing him in response.

CHAOS in Columbus right now. pic.twitter.com/8AiarchwXN
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 28, 2025

Barzal had two shots on goal in just 8:04 of ice time before this incident.

-> Don’t miss out — Bet on Barzal to score now!

New York visits the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Chicago is one of the worst defensive teams in the league:

Fourth-most shots allowed per game (30.3)

Fifth-most expected goals against per 60 (3.39)

Third-most high-danger chances against per 60 (13.88)

Barzal should find room to operate and put three-plus pucks on goal in this matchup.

Key stat: Barzal is averaging 4.7 shot attempts per game across his last seven contests.

Embed: #122488

Other picks

Marchand over 2.5 shots (+100): At even money, I’ll happily back Marchand on this prop.

The veteran winger continues to play at an elite level:

7th in goals (22)

T-14th in points (44)

T-42nd in shots (101)

Marchand is averaging 2.7 shots per game and has topped this mark in three of his last seven outings.

His consistent involvement in the Florida Panthers’ offence puts this prop in play on a nightly basis. Marchand has 13 points in his last eight outings.

-> Back Marchand and the Panthers at NorthStar Bets!

The matchup with the Montreal Canadiens isn’t great as the Habs are ceding the 10th-fewest shots on goal per game (27.2), but still, I’ll back Marchand at this price.

Ehlers to score 1+ points (-132): Ehlers notched a pair of points on Monday, and I’ll happily back him again on Tuesday.

The winger had two assists in his team’s overtime win over the New York Rangers. He’s up to 26 points in 38 games, and I expect that point total to continue growing.

-> Bet on Ehlers to score a point tonight!

His Carolina Hurricanes battle the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that has been a plus matchup lately.

The Pens have ceded three-plus goals in 12 consecutive games.

NHL predictions made at 2:35 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2025.

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