Just eight NHL games mark our card this Tuesday, which might be a low number for Tuesday but at the same time we like some of the matchups taking place and have found plenty of bets to get stuck into.
Here are our three favorite value picks ahead of tonight’s action.
Picks Summary
- Red Wings ML (-120)
- Predators-Blackhawks Over 5.5 (-135)
- Quinn Hughes Over 2.5 Shots (-120)
*All odds available at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres
Tuesday, December 05, 2023 – 07:30 PM ET at KeyBank Center
Betting Trends
- The Buffalo Sabres have lost 7 of their previous 10 NHL games.
- The Detroit Red Wings have won 5 of their previous 6 NHL games.
- Detroit has the 3rd-best ATS record compared to Buffalo’s 17th-best.
Buffalo Not to Be Trusted
The Buffalo Sabres had something going last season, we thought this year they might push on and improve but alas it wasn’t to be. Coming into their 26th game of the season they are currently sitting 10-15, while visiting Detroit has an overall record of 13-10 (at least it’s a winning record).
The Red Wings are 4th in the Eastern Conference and have played two games less than Buffalo, while the Sabres are the 2nd-worst team in the same conference. Buffalo can’t be trusted right now and the fact Detroit is the road team and laying -120 NHL betting odds to win says it all.
The Pick
Generally, we don’t like to lay money on road favorites, but this is one of those rare exceptions. Buffalo has been allowing way too many goals lately (3.4 per game), while Detroit is currently the 3rd-highest scorer in the NHL, scoring 3.74 per game.
No Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch is questionable for Buffalo. Even if they were both available, we would still be siding with Detroit, but now we definitely like the Red Wings in this spot.
We advise not to lay any more than -135 on the moneyline, but their ATS odds to win by 2+ goals at +180 could be a nice alternative bet.
NHL Pick: Red Wings ML (-120) at Bet365
Nashville Predators vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Tuesday, December 05, 2023 – 08:30 PM ET at United Center
Betting Trends
- The Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks have seen a combined 30-16 record to the over 5.5 goals line this season.
- Both teams have seen 70% of their previous 10 games go over 5.5 goals when playing at home (Chicago) and on the road (Nashville).
Expect Goals in This Western Conference Clash
Neither of these teams has good goaltending or defenses right now, and while both struggle to score (especially Chicago) we do like the over 5.5 goals in this clash, despite looking at laying the -145 juice with the top-rated sportsbooks.
Bet365 has the best odds available at the time of writing at odds of -135 for the same bet. Chicago has only scored one goal in their previous two NHL games; they should be eager to score more than that on home ice tonight against Nashville.
The Pick
The Predators find themselves right outside the playoffs positions right now but have a lot of work to do if they believe they can make the playoffs, as many solid teams are behind them in the standings.
We are looking to bet goals here tonight. Our computer is predicting a 4-2 Nashville victory, this seems about the sort of scoreline we were looking at ourselves, and don’t be surprised if the Blackhawks have a breakout game and score 3+ goals in this game.
The Blackhawks might be poor at scoring, but the Predators are just as bad at defending. Both teams combined have allowed an average of 6.9 goals per game thus far this season. Take the over 5.5 in this matchup.
NHL Pick: Over 5.5 Goals (-135) at Bet365
New Jersey Devils vs. Vancouver Canucks
Tuesday, December 05, 2023 – 10:00 PM ET at Rogers Arena
Betting Trends
- Quinn Hughes has scored 34 points this season (5th most in NHL)
- Hughes has averaged 2.92 shots per game (most on the Vancouver roster)
- Hughes has scored the joint 2nd most assists thus far this season.
Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks)
It’s a battle of the brothers in Vancouver tonight as Quinn Hughes takes on his two brothers on home ice, as both his siblings play for the New Jersey Devils.
Besides the fact Hughes is facing his brothers, we do like him to go over his 2.5 shot total line tonight at -120 NHL betting odds, and the fact he has only managed 1 shot in each of his last two games makes us believe he will definitely be looking to bring his shooting gloves tonight.
The Pick
Hughes will likely be eager to “get one up” on his brothers, and what better way to do it than on home ice? While his Vancouver team is sitting 2nd in the Western Conference, the New Jersey Devils are struggling down in 12th in the East.
The Devils are strong offensively, but ship way too many goals, which will suit the Canucks’ strong offense. Don’t be surprised if Hughes gets a few assists or a goal tonight, but at -110 for Hughes to score 2+ points we believe the better values lies with his shot total to go over at just -120 at the time of writing.
Hughes will likely want to score here, especially since his previous two games have only produced two shots, take Hughes to bring his shooting gloves tonight.
NHL Pick: Quinn Hughes Over 2.5 Shots (-120) at Bet365
