NHL Best Bets 12/17/2024

It’s the week before Christmas and Santa Betzky wants to deliver some green presents! Tonights slate is a slightly difficult to find value, with many teams in odd spots and without many historical matches. But we will still look to deliver the goods and boost the win column in the Betting News best bet articles! We are now a 15-12 record over the last 9 articles! Let’s green this one out for some extra holiday treats!

We will be breaking down NHL best bets here at Betting News all season! Each article will look for VALUE, as in straights you can take to build up your bankroll or pieces you can use to beef up your parlays. All bets will be -135 or better odds. And while we will focus on NHL player props, there are times we will take sides and totals. So keep your eyes peeled here as we will drop these throughout the week.

And if you haven’t already be sure to check out some of my favorite futures and awards. So time to lace them up and get ready to ride with Betzky for my favorite NHL best bets for 12/17/2024!

1. Adrian Kempe o3.5 SOG +138 on BetOnline:

The Los Angeles Kings have been a road wagon all season long. And as they wrap up another successful East Coast trip, the Kings’ top line has really been cooking. Kempe and Kopitar have regained the magic they have had for multiple seasons now, racking up points. And Kempe has really started ripping puck again.

Tonight they get a leaky Pittsburgh team, who are among the top for goals against per game played and shots against. The Penguins also just so happen to be one of Kempe’s favorite targets. Kempe has only hit his 3.5 SOG line in four of the last ten games. But he is coming off a 6 SOG (shots on goal) performance and may have snapped a 6 game cold streak.

Against the Penguins Kempe has hit in four of the last six matches. He averaged 7.3 shot attempts against them as well and has 7 goals in that span. He will look to pummel Pittsburgh tonight and stay hot. The Penguins are allowing the 3rd most shots against in the league making Kempe SOG an NHL best bet. His goal at +200 looks tasty as well.

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

2. Martin Necas Assist + Sebastian Aho Point +105 on BetOnline:

The Carolina Hurricanes have been struggling in net with starting goaltender Freddie Anderson out with injury yet again. It has plummeted to allowing the most goals against per game over the last ten games, averaging 4.10 GA/GP. Luckily the team is able to score, and chances are they will need to outrace their opponents to get into the win column.

In that same span of games the Hurricanes have scored the 12th most goals for per game and are ranked 3rd over the entire season. Tonight they get their top line center’s favorite target, the New York Islanders. Aho has a point in 16 of the last 22 games against the Islanders. In those games he has 21 points. Unfortunately his single point is far too juiced. So let’s staple Martin Necas to him for some plus money value.

Necas has an assist in 77% of all games this season. He also has an assist in 8 of the last 10 games against the Islanders. While the Islanders have been getting better goaltending as of late they are slightly worse at home, allowing the 8th most GA/GP over the last 10 home games. Give me one of the most productive players in the league and his top center as an NHL best bet at plus money!

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

3. Lane Hutson Assist +105 on BetOnline:

The Montreal Canadiens have a young, dynamic, offensive dynamo on their blue line. The rookie Lane Hutson took some games to adjust to the NHL but has exploded offensively. Hutson now has a point in 50% of all games this season and 8 of the last 10 games. Tonight the Canadiens will host the struggling Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres have lost ten straight games and may come out a bit desperate. But they are allowing the 8th most goals against in the league over the last 10 games. Meanwhile the Canadiens got Patrik Laine back to bolster the top power play unit. A unit Lane Hutson has been promoted to.

Hutson only has one goal all season. And it came last game. So his assist at plus money feels safe. He has had 4+ minutes on the power play three times in the last 5 games and is getting a longer leash to roam the ice looking for offensive opportunities. If the Sabres continue to struggle defensively with their top defenseman Dahlin out, Hutson has a great chance to set up another goal, making his assist an NHL best bet.

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

Interested in More Content?

More NHL Content on Betting News:

• NHL Betting Guide
• NHL Futures Best Bets – Atlantic Division
• NHL Futures Best Bets – Metro Division
• NHL Awards – Hart Trophy
• NHL Awards – Norris Trophy
• NHL Awards – Vezina Trophy