X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Free NHL Betting Picks - Today's Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds (12/20/23)

Alex DeBrincat - Fantasy Hockey Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NHL Injury News

It's a fairly quiet night in the NHL with just three games on tap. However, that does not mean there isn't money to be made! Let's dive into a short slate and pad those bankrolls!

Attention, fellow sports bettors! We have some exciting news to share as we are now officially partnered with various sportsbooks and have some sweet sports betting promo offers! Get your deposit bonus, as well as a year of free RotoBaller Premium access, when you sign up with a new account today! After you're signed up, use our picks in this article for spreads, totals, and props to win big.

In this article, I'll provide my favorite betting picks for the NHL games on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. We will focus on money line bets, totals, and team totals. With all of that said, let's break down some hockey games. Follow me on Twitter/X @BKemp17.

Featured Promo: Get any Props Premium Pass for 30% off using code NEW. Win more with our two new Props Optimizer tools -- one for PrizePicks Props, and one for Sportsbook Betting Props. Find optimal prop bets and get our recommended picks daily! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Today's NHL Betting Picks - New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

O/U: 5.5 | Moneyline: WSH (-125)

It's a Metropolitan division tilt tonight in Washington as the Capitals play host to the New York Islanders, a club playing their second game in as many nights.

It was a solid 3-1 win for the Isles over the Edmonton Oilers on home ice Tuesday night but they did get out-shot by a 31-21 margin. Ilya Sorokin was the difference but he will surely give way to backup Semyon Varlamov for this one tonight.

Now, Varlamov has been good with a .919 save percentage through 11 outings. However, he has allowed at least three goals in each of his last five starts. He's been getting peppered with pucks as the Islanders have allowed at least 35 shots in three of Varlamov's last four starts and at least 40 in two of those four starts. He managed to win four in a row before dropping a 5-3 decision to the Canadiens in Montreal his last time out.

The Isles' defense has slipped to 18th with 3.16 goals against per game on the season while they sit 27th in expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five action. Additionally, their 72% clip on the penalty kill sits dead last in the NHL.

The good news for a fading back end is the fact the Capitals have struggled mightily in scoring goals. Their offense not only sits 30th with just 2.39 goals per game but they are dead last with a shocking 9.8% clip on the power play. Alex Ovechkin has just five goals on the season. Nicklas Backstrom may have played his last game in the NHL. This is not the same Capitals offense we are used to seeing year after year.

Their defense has helped them out at 10th overall but regression could be in store as they also sit 21st in expected goals against/60 at 5v5. Their penalty kill has been solid at 12th with an 81.5% mark.

This is a hard league to play two games in as many nights. The Capitals are 8-4-2 on home ice but perhaps most important here is the 6-5-2 record the Islanders carry on the road. This is a contest the home side knows they need to have as they look to gain ground on the Islanders in the Metro standings.

Pick: Capitals moneyline (-125, DraftKings sportsbook)

 

Sports Betting Promo Offers

Featured Promo: Get any Betting Premium Pass for 30% off using code NEW. Win more with exclusive betting picks from proven winners across 9 sports! Find optimal bets with our Betting Picks Tool and Bet Weighting Tool and follow along in our VIP chat rooms! Go Premium, Win More!

 

Today's NHL Betting Picks - Detroit Red Wings vs. Winnipeg Jets

O/U: 6.5 | Moneyline: WPG (-155)

It's a rare cross-conference tilt tonight in Manitoba as the Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings get together for their lone meeting at Canada Life Centre.

The Jets had won six of seven before taking a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night. Their offense, which had scored 11 goals over their previous two games, was cooled. Still, their defense remained solid as they have allowed two regulation goals or fewer in eight consecutive games while they haven't surrendered more than three goals in a game since Nov. 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

They are a solid 13th in expected goals against/60 at 5v5 but they also sit 27th on the penalty kill. It's tough to imagine this stealth run on defense to last much longer.

This is a Red Wings offense that sits fifth overall with 3.55 goals per game on the season. However, they're also 30th in expected goals for/60 at 5v5. Again, it's awfully difficult to envision this high-powered offense to keep producing at this level given the underlying data.

Nonetheless, the Wings catch a big break in this one as Connor Hellebuyck will give way to Laurent Brossoit in the Winnipeg crease. The heavily-used Hellebuyck sports a 2.43 GAA and .916 Sv% across 23 outings, going 15-6-2 in the process. Brossoit hasn't been bad but his .909 Sv% is a drop off from Hellebuyck despite owning a solid 2.57 GAA. Brossoit sits a solid 27th of 69 qualified goaltenders in goals saved above average, as per Hockey Reference, but Hellebuyck sits seventh in that department.

It's not a major drop but a drop nonetheless. Let's look for the Red Wings to capitalize at quality plus-money odds.

Pick: Red Wings moneyline (+130, DraftKings sportsbook)

Good luck, RotoBallers! Let's cash some bets and make some money today!

More Betting and DFS Picks




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Daulton Varsho10 mins ago

Throwing Up To 105 Feet
Max Scherzer16 mins ago

Should Be Back On The Mound Soon
Los Angeles Chargers17 mins ago

Chargers Signing Da'Shawn Hand To One-Year Deal
Edward Cabrera23 mins ago

Leaves Early On Thursday With Blister Issue
Washington Commanders24 mins ago

Sheldon Day Re-Signing With Commanders
K.J. Osborn31 mins ago

Heading Back To Washington
Harrison Bryant38 mins ago

Landing In Philadelphia
Brandon Allen44 mins ago

Joining Titans Quarterback Room
Ivan Barbashev46 mins ago

Returning On Thursday
Kenny Pickett49 mins ago

Views Himself As Browns Starter
Igor Shesterkin56 mins ago

Starting On Thursday
Neal Pionk1 hour ago

Misses Second Straight Practice
Nikolaj Ehlers1 hour ago

Does Not Practice On Thursday
Andrei Svechnikov1 hour ago

Doubtful For Friday
Nikita Kucherov2 hours ago

A Game-Time Call On Thursday
Noah Brown2 hours ago

Returning To Washington On One-Year Deal
Raheem Mostert2 hours ago

Raiders Signing Raheem Mostert To One-Year Deal
Cincinnati Bengals2 hours ago

Teams Finding Bengals' Asking Price On Trey Hendrickson To Be "Ridiculous"
New England Patriots2 hours ago

Patriots Plan To Release David Andrews
New Orleans Saints2 hours ago

Saints Give Isaac Yiadom A Three-Year Deal
Mason Rudolph2 hours ago

Back In The Steel City
Lucas Giolito3 hours ago

Will Begin Season On Injured List
Cody Bradford3 hours ago

To Start On Injured List
Jacob deGrom3 hours ago

Scratched Due To Stomach Virus
Marcus Semien3 hours ago

Back On Thursday
Brett Baty3 hours ago

Could Open The Year At Second Base
Sean Manaea3 hours ago

Resumes Throwing
Brandon Nimmo3 hours ago

Back In Spring Lineup On Thursday
CJ Abrams3 hours ago

Back In Thursday's Lineup
Lucas Giolito5 hours ago

Has Low-Grade Hamstring Strain
Cooper Kupp5 hours ago

Seahawks Interested In Cooper Kupp
Ke'Bryan Hayes5 hours ago

Resumes Full Baseball Activities
Brandin Podziemski5 hours ago

Out On Thursday
Jeff McNeil5 hours ago

Suffers Low-Grade Oblique Strain
Yves Missi6 hours ago

Questionable Thursday
Christian Walker6 hours ago

Hitting In Batting Cage
Kelly Olynyk6 hours ago

Misses Second Consecutive Game Thursday
Tekoah Roby6 hours ago

Optioned To Double-A
Josh Giddey6 hours ago

Will Be "Out For A Little Bit"
Cam Smith6 hours ago

Starting In Right Field On Thursday
Lonzo Ball6 hours ago

Unlikely To Play Thursday
Bilal Coulibaly6 hours ago

Unavailable Thursday
Malcolm Brogdon6 hours ago

Remains Out Against Pistons
Tyler Stephenson7 hours ago

Dealing With Back Injury
Henry Davis7 hours ago

Expected To Be No. 2 Backstop
Daniel Lynch IV7 hours ago

In Competition For Rotation Spot
Zebby Matthews7 hours ago

Tosses Three Innings In Return
Brandon Montour8 hours ago

Scores Twice In Victory
Dylan Guenther8 hours ago

Nets Game-Winner Over Anaheim
Elias Pettersson8 hours ago

Tallies Goal, Assist On Wednesday
Patrick Kane8 hours ago

Leads The Way Over Buffalo
Elias Pettersson8 hours ago

Sustains Injury On Wednesday
Jacob Bryson9 hours ago

Exits Early On Wednesday
NFL16 hours ago

Shemar Stewart To Visit With Falcons
San Francisco 49ers16 hours ago

Juan Thornhill To Visit With 49ers On Thursday
Russell Wilson16 hours ago

To Visit With Giants On Friday
Aaron Rodgers16 hours ago

Vikings Not Ruling Out Adding Aaron Rodgers
Tennessee Titans16 hours ago

Titans Sign Dre'Mont Jones To One-Year Deal
New Orleans Saints16 hours ago

Cameron Jordan Agrees To Return To Saints
Minnesota Vikings17 hours ago

Vikings, Harrison Smith Agree To Revised Contract
Kyle Trask17 hours ago

Buccaneers Bring Back Kyle Trask As Backup QB
Mikael Backlund17 hours ago

Sustains An Upper-Body Injury Wednesday
Joey Daccord17 hours ago

Looks To End Losing Streak Against Canadiens
Patrik Laine17 hours ago

Returns To Action Wednesday
Noah Clowney17 hours ago

Questionable Versus The Bulls
Mattias Janmark17 hours ago

Misses Practice Due To Illness
Mattias Ekholm17 hours ago

To Miss Three-Game Road Trip
TOR17 hours ago

Chris Tanev Could Return To Action Thursday
ANA18 hours ago

Ville Husso Starts For Ducks Wednesday
Domantas Sabonis18 hours ago

May Return To Kings Lineup Thursday
Rudy Gobert18 hours ago

Suiting Up Against Nuggets
Aaron Gordon18 hours ago

Ruled Out Against Timberwolves
Jamal Murray18 hours ago

Upgraded To Available Wednesday
Nikola Jokić18 hours ago

Nikola Jokic Available Wednesday
Matisse Thybulle19 hours ago

Available For Season Debut Wednesday Night
Robert Williams III19 hours ago

Ready For Action Against Knicks
Jerami Grant19 hours ago

Out Against Knicks
Damian Lillard19 hours ago

Probable For Thursday's Action
Giannis Antetokounmpo19 hours ago

Likely To Play Against Lakers
Luka Dončić19 hours ago

Luka Doncic Listed As Questionable For Thursday
Brandon Williams19 hours ago

Good To Go Wednesday
Monté Morris20 hours ago

Monte Morris Unavailable Again On Wednesday
Jakub Dobes1 day ago

Starting On Wednesday
Karel Vejmelka1 day ago

Facing Anaheim On Wednesday
Jacob Bridgeman1 day ago

Use Caution For Jacob Bridgeman At TPC Sawgrass
Nicolai Hojgaard1 day ago

Looks To Stay Consistent Heading Into PLAYERS Championship
Karl Vilips1 day ago

Makes PLAYERS Championship Debut After First PGA Tour Win
Taylor Pendrith1 day ago

A Sneaky Play At TPC Sawgrass
Sahith Theegala1 day ago

Out Of Form Ahead Of The PLAYERS Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick1 day ago

A Shaky Play Heading Into PLAYERS
Scottie Scheffler1 day ago

Eyeing Three-Peat At TPC Sawgrass
Aldrich Potgieter1 day ago

A Risky Play At TPC Sawgrass
Si Woo Kim1 day ago

Looks To Keep Building Momentum At The PLAYERS
Denny McCarthy1 day ago

Looks To Continue Solid Play At TPC Sawgrass
Collin Morikawa2 days ago

Poised For Another Strong Performance At TPC Sawgrass
Robert MacIntyre2 days ago

A Risky Play With Upside At The PLAYERS Championship
Jordan Spieth2 days ago

Looking To Change Fortunes At TPC Sawgrass
Cameron Young2 days ago

Avoid Cameron Young At The PLAYERS Championship
Michael Kim2 days ago

Continues Incredible Form Ahead Of The PLAYERS Championship
Justin Thomas2 days ago

Looking For More Magic At TPC Sawgrass
Xander Schauffele2 days ago

Continues Competitive Return At The Players Championship
Rory McIlroy2 days ago

Looks To Reverse Recent History At TPC Sawgrass
PGA2 days ago

Victor Hovland Looking To Find Form At The PLAYERS Championship
Brian Harman2 days ago

A Sleeper Pick At The PLAYERS Championship
Min Woo Lee2 days ago

A Hard Name To Trust At The Players Championship
Tyler Reddick3 days ago

Power-Steering Failure Foils Tyler Reddick's Bid For Potential Victory
William Byron3 days ago

Recovers From Being Trapped A Lap Down To Finish Sixth
Josh Berry3 days ago

Gives Wood Brothers Team Best Run Since 2021
Alex Pereira3 days ago

Drops Decision At UFC 313
Magomed Ankalaev3 days ago

Becomes The New UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion
Justin Gaethje3 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Rafael Fiziev3 days ago

Loses Third Fight In A Row
Ignacio Bahamondes3 days ago

Gets Submission Win At UFC 313
Christopher Bell3 days ago

Scores His Third Consecutive Victory Of The Season At Phoenix
Kyle Larson3 days ago

Strong Phoenix Performance Falls Short Of Victory
Chris Buescher3 days ago

Quietly Earns A Top-Five Finish At Phoenix
Alex Bowman3 days ago

Leaves Phoenix With His Best Finish At The Site Since 2016
Zane Smith3 days ago

Quietly Nabs His First Phoenix Top-10 Finish
Jalin Turner3 days ago

Retires After UFC 313 Loss
Iasmin Lucindo3 days ago

Gets Dominated At UFC 313
Amanda Lemos3 days ago

Dominates At UFC 313
King Green3 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC 313
Mauricio Ruffy3 days ago

Scores Highlight-Reel Knockout
Chase Elliott4 days ago

Is Chase Elliott Worth Rostering At Phoenix This Week For DFS?
Joey Logano4 days ago

Will Be A Top Contender To Win At Phoenix
Denny Hamlin4 days ago

Is Difficult to Recommend As A DFS Option
Carson Hocevar4 days ago

Is Not An Ideal Driver To Add To Phoenix DFS Lineups
Brad Keselowski4 days ago

Is A Solid DFS Choice For Phoenix Lineups
Austin Cindric4 days ago

Could Be Worth Using In Phoenix Tournament Lineups
Kyle Busch4 days ago

Should Fantasy Players Roster Kyle Busch At Phoenix?
Michael McDowell4 days ago

Is Michael McDowell Worth Rostering For Phoenix DFS Lineups?
Ty Gibbs4 days ago

Is A DFS Recommendation Despite Inconsistent Track History At Phoenix
Austin Dillon4 days ago

Is Austin Dillon Worth Rostering In DFS For Phoenix This Week?
Cole Custer4 days ago

Is An Underrated DFS Value Pick For Phoenix Lineups
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

DFS Value Likely Hinges On How Much He Leads
Chase Briscoe4 days ago

Despite Strong Phoenix Record, Chase Briscoe Qualifies Inexplicably Poorly
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF