Detroit Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek, right, celebrates his goal; with Dylan Larkin, and Andrew Copp (18) in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) – Media by Associated Press
There are a number of strong matchups Monday for NHL teams looking to climb the standings. The playoff races are already tightening up as we approach Christmas time. Teams will want to make sure they don’t give away too many points in the standing now to regret it in April.
Here’s a look at three NHL bets to make for Monday night.
Detroit Red Wings at Washington Capitals (-195)
The Capitals are still in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division but have started to show their team may be rounding into form. Washington is 7-2-1 over its past 10 games and has started to show signs of potential. The Capitals have been playing good defense this season.
Washington is 11th in the league and has killed 80.2 percent of the power plays they’ve faced, which ranks 12th in the league. The Red Wings are in fifth place in the Atlantic Division but have started to fade. Detroit has gone 2-6-2 over its past 10 games. The Red Wings have only scored 88 goals in 30 games this season, which puts them last in the division.
Detroit will find it hard to score, and the Capitals will come away with a win.
Edmonton Oilers (-125) at Nashville Predators
The Predators and Oilers could make for a fun matchup. Edmonton has struggled to stop their opponents from scoring, while Nashville hasn’t had much success putting the puck in the back of the net. The Predators have the second-worst power play in the league, only scoring on 14.4 percent of their opportunities.
Nashville has been OK on defense. The Predators allow 33.1 shots per game, which ranks 27th in the league. Edmonton has the fifth-highest-scoring offense in the league, scoring 3.6 goals per game. The Oilers have the league’s top power play, converting 31.9 percent of its chances.
Edmonton has already handed Nashville two defeats this season. The Oilers beat the Predators 6-3 and 7-4. This game is set up to be another game that should feature a lot of scoring chances, which will favor Edmonton.
Buffalo Sabres at Vegas Golden Knights (-177)
The Golden Knights and Sabres will have a little juice between the two teams because Jack Eichel is a former No. 1 pick of Buffalo. Eichel leads Vegas with 29 points and has 13 goals and 16 assists. The Golden Knights have benefited from playing strong defense.
Vegas limits opponents to 2.7 goals per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Golden Knights allow 30.8 shots per game, which is 13th in the league.
Buffalo has been scoring at a high clip. The Sabres are first in the league, scoring 4.0 goals per game. Buffalo’s scoring has been dependent on the power play. The Sabres are second in the league, converting on 30 percent of their opportunities. This should be a fun meeting that Vegas will grind out in a victory in.
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