This week’s Saturday night NHL schedule is a relatively light one, featuring just nine games but four including Canadian teams—two of which will play on Hockey Night in Canada.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will host the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:00 p.m. EST for the early game, and the Edmonton Oilers will visit the Los Angeles Kings at 10:00 p.m. EST for the late game.
The two other games featuring Canadian teams are Montreal Canadiens visiting the Florida Panthers at 7:00 p.m. EST, and the Vancouver Canucks hosting the San Jose Sharks at 10:00 p.m. EST.
This Saturday slate offers plenty of betting opportunities at the best NHL betting sites including money lines, puck lines, over/unders and daily NHL player props. Below are our December 31, 2023 NHL odds and previews.
Toronto Maple Leafs (-115) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (-104) – 7:00 p.m. ET
Both teams have goaltending problems, and both teams have a fairly mediocre record in their last 10 games. However, with the Leafs coming off disappointing back-to-back losses to the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets, the Leafs will be fired up on Saturday night in their game against the Hurricanes. It’s not the best line, but I’d take the Leafs in this one.
Edmonton Oilers (+100) at Los Angeles Kings (-120) – 10:00 p.m. ET
The Kings are one of the league’s best teams this season, but the Oilers are 7–3–0 in their last 10 and are riding a three-game winning streak. They need this win, and they know it, so at plus odds I’m picking McDavid and co. in this one.
Montreal Canadiens (+210) at Florida Panthers (-250) – 7:00 p.m. ET
When you see a line at over +200, it’s very enticing in the NHL. The Panthers are the better team, but there is clear value here with the Canadiens at this line. These teams have played each other once this year with the Panthers winning 5–1, so there isn’t really a good reason to pick the Habs, it’s more so just the potential value. Why not at this line.
Last week’s picks
- Toronto Maple Leafs (-196) loss to Columbus Blue Jackets (+165) – Loss – Final score 4-1 Maple Leafs
- Arizona Coyotes (+185) win over Colorado Avalanche (-215) – Loss – Final score 4-1 Avalanche
- New York Islanders (+150) win over Carolina Hurricanes (-125) – Win – Final score 5-4 Islanders
Overall: 3-6, +1.24 units
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