NHL Best Bets for December 20: Goals Aplenty in California
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Eric Kelly
- December 20, 2024
NHL Pick: Avalanche/Ducks Over 6 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
We’re excited about tonight’s NHL action, featuring seven games on the schedule. At the top-rated sportsbooks, we’re focusing on goals in the Colorado vs. Anaheim matchup, while Utah aims to extend its impressive road streak, remaining unbeaten in its last six away games.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Anaheim Ducks
Friday, December 20, 2024 – 10:00 PM ET at Honda Center
Colorado & Goals Come Hand in Hand
Despite the Anaheim Ducks having had the worst over record in the NHL this season at 9-19-2, we still believe the over is worth a play here considering who their opponents are and the fact that the sportsbooks are giving us a fair line and set of odds.
The Colorado Avalanche have been averaging 3.4 goals per game but, more importantly, have the top points scorer in the league, the 2nd highest points scorer in the league and the 5th highest scorer in the league. We believe they should all look to dominate tonight against a very weak Anaheim team.
The reason the Ducks see so many games go under the total is that they have the 2nd worst offense in the league, scoring just 2.4 goals per game. Defensively, they have been solid enough allowing 3.10 goals per game, but Nathan Mackinnon and company are in town tonight and we believe goals are on the cards.
Colorado & Anaheim Trends & Facts
- The Colorado Avalanche have seen the 2nd most amount of NHL games go over the total thus far this season with a 19-13-1 record.
- Colorado’s games have been averaging 6.7 goals in their previous 10 games.
- The Anaheim Ducks games have been averaging 5.7 goals in their previous 10 games.
The Pick
We can’t ignore the -110 NHL betting odds for over 6 goals tonight with 6 goals exactly landing us with a push. Had this been -110 for over 6.5 we would be staying away but, given the value here for a possible push, we believe the over to be worth a bet.
At the very least, we should get six goals here as our computer is predicting a 4-2 victory for the Colorado Avalanche.
NHL Pick: Avalanche/Ducks Over 6 (-110) at BetOnline
Utah Hockey Club vs. Minnesota Wild
Friday, December 20, 2024 – 08:00 PM ET at Xcel Energy Center
Can Utah Continue Winning Road Streak
We don’t think anybody would have predicted the Utah Hockey Club to have a winning record at this stage of the season, let alone be on a six-game winning streak when playing on the road. In fairness to Utah, they have retained much of their roster from Arizona with a few additions that have helped them improve this year as the newly formed Utah Hockey Club.
Utah has beaten some strong teams during their six-game winning streak including the Colorado Avalanche and a 6-0 victory over the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Even wins over the San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers aren’t to be sniffed at with both teams proving strong on home ice this season.
Utah has proven they can play and beat the best of teams when they are on fire, as they have only suffered one loss in their previous 5 games (wouldn’t you know that one loss was against tonight’s opposition, Minnesota).
Utah Hockey Club Trends & Facts
- Utah Hockey Club have gone 6-0 in their previous six road games in the NHL.
- Utah has covered the spread in four of those six road wins.
- Utah has gone 12-6 ATS on the road thus far this season.
The Pick
Despite the Wild beating Utah recently, they still failed to do so in regulation and had to resort to a penalty shootout to do so, meaning Utah has now gone five games without a loss in regulation.
We are expecting some revenge from Utah and love their chances to do so as underdogs, especially given the Wilds’ rocky form in recent games, having gone 2-3 in their previous five games. They have also failed to win in regulation in 6 of their previous 8 games. This is a nice plus money spot for Utah to make it a 7-0 stretch on the road against a beatable Minnesota team.
NHL Pick: Utah Hockey Club ML (+120) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
