Category: NHL

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 (-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%).

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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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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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.

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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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The Toronto Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils in a matchup of underachieving Eastern Conference teams.

The pregame narrative: Hockey fans and bettors expected Toronto and New Jersey to be in playoff spots by this point in the season. Neither is, making tonight a crucial opportunity for either side to pick up two points. There are plenty of offensive stars in this contest, but I have my eye on a trio from the visiting side.

Check out my Devils vs. Maple Leafs prop picks for Dec. 30, featuring Timo Meier, Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton.

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Devils vs. Maple Leafs prop picks

Best Bet: Hamilton over 2.5 shots (+110)

This is a great value.

Hamilton is pointless in his last 15 games and 22 of his last 23 contests, but it isn’t for a lack of trying. The blueliner is still putting plenty of rubber on goal.

Hamilton has topped this total in two of his last four games, and his shot attempts remain at a very high level.

-> Take Hamilton to clear his shot prop!

He has 75 shot attempts in his last 11 games, an average of 6.8 per contest.

Naturally, as a defenceman, a high percentage of Hamilton’s shots don’t make it through.

But Hamilton should be able to get some pucks through against the Maple Leafs.

Toronto is allowing the second-most goals per game this season (31.2).

Expect Hamilton to clear through this total on Tuesday.

Key stat: Hamilton is averaging 2.5 shots on goal per game and should exceed this mark in a plus matchup.

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Best NHL prop picks

Meier to score 1+ points (-124): Meier is pointless in his last four games, but like Hamilton, he’s due for some better puck luck.

Meier is still heavily involved offensively. He has 20 shots during this stretch with 38 total shot attempts.

-> Back Meier vs. the Maple Leafs at NorthStar Bets!

His chances of notching a point on Tuesday are bolstered by Toronto’s porous defence and goaltending. The Maple Leafs are surrendering the fifth-most goals per game and the fourth-most scoring chances per 60 (30.3).

Meier’s spot in the lineup keeps him involved on a nightly basis. The winger skates on the team’s first line alongside Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer.

Hughes to score 1+ points (+102): Add Hughes to the list of underperforming Devils.

Like the other two guys on my card, Hughes is battling a dry spell. He doesn’t have a point in his last three games and is pointless in 11 of his last 15 contests.

But, again, this matchup is too good to ignore on several fronts.

-> Bet on Hughes and the Devils tonight!

I expect a big offensive output, and Hughes should be involved. The rearguard skates on the team’s top power play with elite playmakers like Hischier, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.

Hughes leads New Jersey in shot attempts (232) and should be able to get plenty of pucks on goal against the Maple Leafs.

Devils vs. Maple Leafs prop picks made at 12:32 p.m. ET Dec. 30, 2025.

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Two of the top scorers make my NHL anytime goal picks for Dec. 29.

The pregame narrative: The Buffalo Sabres are scorching to close 2025, and Tage Thompson is a big part of their success. He’s a great pick to find the back of the net. Elsewhere, Kyle Connor is heating up and is a nice value to strike on Monday.

Check out my NHL goal picks for Dec. 29.

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NHL goal picks Dec. 29

Best Bet: Thompson to score (+140)

Thompson’s recent play is helping lead the hottest team in the NHL.

Buffalo has won eight consecutive games and is firmly back in the Atlantic Division mix. Thompson has been stellar during this run, totalling five goals and 11 points during this stretch.

He leads his team in both categories over this time.

-> Don’t miss out — wager on Thompson at NorthStar Bets!

The matchup is right for Thompson to strike, too, as his squad visits the flailing St. Louis Blues.

St. Louis has been abysmal defensively this season. It’s ceding the sixth-most goals per game (3.36), and has the fourth-worst save percentage (.879).

I expect Buffalo to have a strong night offensively, and Thompson will almost certainly be in the thick of it. He leads the Sabres in scoring chances (110) and will likely add to that mark tonight.

Key stat: Thompson has scored a goal in six of his last nine games.

NHL predictions

Connor to score (+132): Secondly, I’m liking what Connor is showing lately.

The Winnipeg Jets star is heating up after a six-game goalless drought. He has three goals in his last two contests, with eight shots on goal during this stretch.

As Winnipeg looks to climb back into the playoff picture, I expect Connor to start playing his best.

-> Bet on Connor and the Jets tonight!

It helps his case on Monday that he gets to battle Calvin Pickard and the Edmonton Oilers.

The Oilers are tied for allowing the eighth-most goals per game (3.31), and have the third-worst save percentage in the league (.877).

Pickard gets the start for Edmonton, and he’s been especially bad this year.

Pickard has a brutal .861 save percentage.

NHL goal picks made at 1:46 p.m. ET on Dec. 29, 2025.

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NHL action is back and I’ve got a trio of props for Saturday’s loaded 13-game slate.

Today’s NHL props narrative: Tage Thompson was heating up before the break, and he’s a great pick to tickle twine. Elsewhere, Nikolaj Ehlers and Darren Raddysh have solid value to find the score sheet.

Check out my NHL prop picks for Dec. 27.

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NHL prop picks Dec. 27

Best Bet: Thompson to score (+117)

The Sabres are heating up, and Thompson deserves a lot of credit for their recent success.

Buffalo strung together seven consecutive wins ahead of the Christmas break, with Thompson tallying five goals and nine points during that stretch.

-> Bet on Thompson to score a goal tonight!

The Sabres star was putting a healthy amount of rubber on goal before the pause, too, totalling four-plus shots in four of those games.

An intriguing matchup is what makes Thompson the centrepiece of my Saturday picks.

The Sabres play a Bruins team that might be finding its level. Boston lost four consecutive games before the break, allowing 20 goals in that stretch.

The underlying numbers have been bearish of Boston’s success all season long.

The Bruins have the second-worst expected goals against per 60 (3.55) and are allowing the sixth-most shots per game (30.0).

Thompson should be involved offensively and score a goal on Saturday night.

Key stat: Thompson has scored a goal in six of his last eight games.

NHL predictions

Ehlers to score 1+ points (-129): This is a solid price for a player like Ehlers.

The Carolina Hurricanes forward got off to a slow start with his new team. Ehlers was pointless in his first five games with the Canes, but he’s really coming on lately.

-> Bet on Ehlers and the Hurricanes tonight

Ehlers has eight points in his last 10 games.

The advanced numbers also suggest that Ehlers is due for some progression. The winger is second on Carolina in Corsi per 60 (19.96).

The matchup against the Detroit Red Wings isn’t one bettors should shy away from, either. Detroit is allowing the 13th-most goals per game this season (3.16).

Raddysh to score 1+ points (-120): Few players are having a more under-the-radar campaign than Raddysh.

The Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman has 27 points in 30 games, and he’s finding his stride.

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Raddysh has nine points in his last seven games and is thriving as the power-play quarterback in Victor Hedman’s absence, as four of his points during this run have come on the man advantage.

The Bolts battle the Florida Panthers, who have struggled at times to keep the puck out of their net.

Florida has the seventh-lowest save percentage (.882) and is ceding the 14th-most goals per game (3.14).

NHL prop picks made at 11:36 a.m. ET on Dec. 27, 2025.

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