NHL Betting Archive

Another chapter in the Battle of Florida sees the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions head across the state to Tampa. The Panthers' systematic approach and championship experience gives them a clear edge in tight games, and this rivalry has only intensified since Florida's consecutive Cup runs. Matthew Tkachuk's pest factor and Sam Reinhart's elite goal-scoring prowess make the Panthers dangerous every single shift.

The Lightning are desperate to recapture their own Cup-winning form from 2020-2021. While the offensive stars remain elite with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, Tampa's defense has shown cracks throughout this campaign. Andrei Vasilevskiy can steal any game single-handedly, but he needs more help in front of him than he's been getting. This rivalry always delivers maximum intensity and physicality.

Florida's championship pedigree should shine through in crunch time here. Tampa will push hard at home with the crowd behind them, but the Panthers' composure under pressure and superior depth gives them the edge. Expect a hard-fought, physical battle that could easily go to overtime.

The Ducks bring their surprisingly strong 19-12-1 record into Madison Square Garden, and Anaheim's youth movement has exceeded all expectations this season. Their speed and energy has been disrupting opponents nightly, with young forwards like Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish leading the charge. This is a team playing loose with nothing to lose, which makes them dangerous against anyone.

New York desperately needs wins but keeps finding ways to lose close games. Igor Shesterkin remains world-class and is carrying this team on his back, but he can't do it alone night after night. The Rangers' $20 million goaltender deserves better support. A loss here would further damage their playoff positioning in the competitive Metro Division.

The 6.5 total suggests an open, offensive game, and this feels like a spot where the Ducks could steal one. Their energy and speed could overwhelm the Rangers' inconsistent defense, especially if New York comes out flat at home. Don't sleep on Anaheim here.

Ottawa continues their playoff push with a trip to Winnipeg in this all-Canadian matchup. The Senators have the skill to compete with anyone when they're engaged and playing their best hockey. Brady Tkachuk's leadership has been crucial in keeping the locker room focused, and Tim Stutzle continues to blossom into a legitimate top-line center.

The Jets have been healthier and more dangerous lately after a rocky stretch. Connor Hellebuyck returning to form between the pipes has stabilized everything for Winnipeg, and their offensive firepower with Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele is genuine. The Jets at home are always a tough out, especially in that raucous building.

Home ice and goaltending advantage favor Winnipeg in this one. Ottawa can win a track meet if they push the pace, but the Jets' discipline and structure should prove the difference. Canada Life Centre will be rocking, and that matters in December games with playoff implications.

Two struggling Central Division teams meet in St. Louis with playoff hopes already fading in mid-December. Nashville's star power with Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi hasn't translated to wins this season, and both players deserve better than what's around them. The Predators' offseason moves haven't panned out, and the chemistry just isn't clicking.

The Blues are equally lost, searching for the identity that made them 2019 Stanley Cup champions. Young talent mixed with veterans hasn't gelled the way St. Louis hoped, and neither team trusts its goaltending situation right now. Jordan Binnington's inconsistency has been a storyline all season.

This is a true toss-up between two underperforming squads. The 5.5 total feels about right given both offenses' struggles to generate consistent scoring chances. Enterprise Center should be subdued, and this could be an ugly, grinding affair that nobody enjoys watching.

LA travels to Dallas for a marquee Western Conference clash against the elite Stars. The Kings have been maddeningly inconsistent this season, collecting far too many overtime losses that have inflated their point total while masking underlying issues. Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty remain excellent, but they need more consistent support from the supporting cast.

Dallas is playing at a legitimate Stanley Cup contender level with their dominant 21-7-5 record. Jason Robertson's scoring, Jake Oettinger's goaltending, and the Stars' system under Peter DeBoer have them rolling as one of the league's best teams. They rarely waste opportunities at home, where the crowd creates a genuine advantage.

The Stars should handle this one. Dallas' depth and structure overwhelms LA's aging core, and Oettinger typically shuts the door at American Airlines Center. This is a potential playoff preview between two Western contenders, but the Stars are the clear class of this matchup right now.