This Thursday NHL slate offers ideal contrarian and totals opportunities across four games where goaltending trends, recent scoring environments, and situational factors tilt the betting edge. From a tight Oilers-Bruins clash to Minnesota’s road test in Columbus, read on for my Thursday NHL Best Bets Dec. 18 selections.
NHL Best Bet: Oilers/Bruins under 6.5
This game features two high-end offenses on paper — Edmonton (3.41 GF/GP) and Boston (3.26 GF/GP) — but underlying indicators favor the under. Both teams defend better than their raw scoring suggests and recent trends have tilted toward containment.
-
Oilers context: Edmonton scored six against Pittsburgh and Calgary recently, but that offensive surge is driven by elite talents like Connor McDavid (20G, 36A) and Leon Draisaitl (17G, 30A) — both capable of a big night. Still, Edmonton’s goaltending has been inconsistent, with team GAA sitting high — indicating volatility rather than runaway scoring.
-
Bruins context: Boston has been cooking lately, including a solid win over Utah, but they’ve also shown control when allowed goals are scarce. Their recent scoring surge isn’t guaranteed to blow past a structured Oilers team with capable netminding.
-
Tactical edge: When two offenses meet that can score in bunches but face disciplined neutral zone and penalty kill structures, totals often stay capped. This accounts for a 6.5 line that feels elevated given situational scoring suspensions and older defensive corps in both leagues.
Prediction: Expect a disciplined, strategic pace with efficient chances and a final score in the 4–2 or 3–2 range, rather than a slugfest.
NHL Best Bet: Minnesota Wild -111 (at Columbus)
Wild @ Blue Jackets — Wild -111
Minnesota’s recent form shows a scorching run where they’ve thumped teams convincingly — including a blowout over Washington and a six-goal night vs. Boston.
-
Wild Strengths: Minnesota’s top line and secondary scoring are firing, Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy driving high danger scoring, with Filip Gustavsson anchoring a tight defense that has kept the GAA relatively low despite facing volume.
-
Blue Jackets Issues: Columbus features an offense that sits around league average (2.91 GF/GP) and a leaky defense (3.46 GAA). Their goaltending has fluctuated and they’ve lost momentum in tight home contests.
-
Injury/Depth: Minnesota’s ability to roll four lines while Columbus battles attrition boosts the Wild’s probability of controlling tempo and limiting opposition opportunities.
Prediction: Wild take control early and grind out a 3–1 or 4–2 road win, justifying the moneyline value.
NHL Best Bet: Blackhawks/Canadiens under 5.5
This matchup pits two teams trending toward structure and defensive tightening.
-
Chicago Blackhawks: Their offense has growth potential, but they’re inconsistent and prone to low output nights, especially when facing disciplined defenders.
-
Montreal Canadiens: Injury depletion (with key pieces like Kirby Dach sidelined earlier this season) has suppressed scoring depth.
-
Goaltending impact: Neither team reliably creates sustained high danger or volume. Low totals like this favor the under when both clubs defend with desperation in a close contest.
Prediction: Lean for a slow, grinding game with a final like 2–1 or 3–2 — under the 5.5 mark.
NHL Best Bet: Stars/Sharks over 6
Finally, the one outright offense-first spot: Dallas vs. San Jose.
-
Stars’ Offense: Dallas rolls deep scoring and currently boasts one of the better GAA marks among quality teams, with talents like Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz consistently generating opportunities.
-
Sharks’ Defense: San Jose’s goals-against profile trends toward high yield against, and they’ve surrendered multiples in recent outings — coupled with a younger core still tightening up gaps.
-
Up-Tempo Expectation: Both teams can score but also allow chances, a combo that typically triggers overs, particularly at 6 goals in a full 60-minute affair.
Prediction: a 4–3 or 5–2 finish that cleaves this game above the 6-goal line.
Thursday NHL Best Bets Dec. 18
- Oilers/Bruins under 6.5
- Minnesota Wild -111
- Blackhawk/Canadiens under 5.5
- Stars/Sharks over 6