Last Updated on December 19, 2025 2:27 pm by Anthony Rome
Our Friday NHL Best Bets Dec. 19 column has three plays tonight in hockey, including an over that you won’t want to pass on. Will the under cash in Florida when the Panthers host the Hurricanes? Are the Devils the best value bet of the night? Read on for our three selections.
NHL Best Bet: Hurricanes/Panthers under 6
Bet: Under 6 total goals
Reasoning:
Carolina enters this matchup riding momentum but trending lower-scoring. They’ve permitted just 1 goal in a recent 4–1 win and scored 4, but overall recent contests have kept the totals down and unders hitting frequently. Panthers, despite a couple of high-scoring wins, have also seen under outcomes in multiple recent games at home and both teams’ defensive structure — especially Carolina’s — suggests containment rather than a shootout.
Trends that support the Under:
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Hurricanes games have gone under the total frequently, particularly in recent matchups and on the road.
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Panthers have recorded multiple low total results at home this month despite offensive talent.
Key Players Impacting Total:
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Sebastian Aho driving offense for Carolina, but they’ve shown balanced scoring and tight defense.
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Panthers talents like Marchand and Bennett can produce offense, but Florida’s structure often favors possession and controlled pace over high variance scoring.
Why It Should Stay Under: The combination of disciplined defense, goaltending, and previous games going under makes this under 6 a smart lean rather than expecting back-and-forth scoring.
NHL Best Bet: Canucks/Islanders over 5.5
Bet: Over 5.5 total goals
Reasoning:
This game has conditions that tilt toward offensive output: Canucks’ key scorer Elias Pettersson is on IR, but that has forced secondary scoring to step up and games have been higher scoring as a result. Meanwhile, the Islanders have been streaky offensively and have defensive injury issues too. Recent team stats show Vancouver’s league-lower offense isn’t the sole reason totals stay low — their defense leaks chances, and Islanders can score in bunches when healthy.
Situational Edge for Over:
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Canucks allow goals at a higher rate and have a transitional defense that struggles against structured attacks.
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Islanders’ attack, even with tentative injuries, can push tempo and create enough chances to inflate scoring.
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Historical head-to-head results show many high-scoring games between these teams, and Vancouver’s recent roster turmoil suggests defensive breakdowns.
Player Notes:
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Marco Rossi, recently activated, is expected to help drive Vancouver’s offense after Pettersson’s absence.
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Islanders may be without Bo Horvat, softening their top-end scoring, but this can paradoxically lead to loosely structured play and more even strength shots on goal.
Why Over 5.5 Makes Sense: Without a lockdown defense on either side and goals needed to decide the contest, over 5.5 gives value here.
NHL Best Bet: New Jersey Devils +121 (at Utah)
Bet: New Jersey Devils +121 (Moneyline)
Reasoning:
The Devils are underdogs in Utah—but this line misprices their value. New Jersey has shown strong road underdog performance, winning key games away and staying competitive even when injured. Meanwhile the Mammoth have inconsistency issues, and their goaltending and defense can be shaky despite recent wins.
Analytical Drivers:
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Utah’s offense is solid, but Devils have quality scoring lines with Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Co. even through recent injury absences.
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Devils are road underdogs who have historically performed well in that role, and +121 represents decent value.
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Utah’s injury list (including Logan Cooley being out) softens their depth, while New Jersey even with scratches can capitalize.
Additional Insight:
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Recent models project a close game with scoring in the 6-goal range, suggesting Devils are more live than the chalk odds imply.
Why Take Devils at +121: Their scoring balance and ability to stay competitive on the road offers upside on the underdog line rather than simply fading.
Friday NHL Best Bets Dec. 19
- Hurricanes/Panthers under 6
- Canucks/Islanders over 5.5
- New Jersey Devils +121
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