NHL Betting. Trends Stats & More. Week ending 12/15

[TheGame]

This Week's Best NHL Bets
By Covers.com

Every week, we update you on who's hot, who's not and situational betting spots in the National Hockey League.

For the week of Dec. 2 - Dec. 8.

Hot team

Montreal Canadiens (4-0 SU)

The Canadiens have ripped off five wins in a row, including an impressive win against Boston and have now surpassed the Bruins for first place in the Atlantic. A big reason for Montreal's current success is not surprisingly the play of Carey Price. Price has won his last seven starts a is on a current run where he has allowed less than two goals in each of his last 10 starts. The competition gets a little stiffer for the Habs this week when they take on the Los Angeles Kings and then travel to Philadelphia to take on the resurgent Flyers.

Cold Team

Nashville Predators (0-3 SU)

The Predators have seemed a little toothless lately, losing five straight games, four of which were at home. The skid has landed the Predators in last place in the Central. Nashville has clearly missed the presence of Pekka Rinne between the pipes, as they are giving up at least three goals a game in the past five games. But Nashville has struggled even more at putting the puck in the net, and have scored just over 1 goal a game during the current losing streak. This week the Preds have matchups against the New York Rangers, Dallas and San Jose.

Best Over play

San Jose Sharks (3-1 O/U)

Despite failing to hit the Over on Sunday at Minnesota, the Sharks have been a great play in that regard this season. They have the league's third best record against the Over so far this season thanks to an offense that loves to pepper the net with shots. In fact, the Sharks lead the NHL in shots on goal at a whopping 36 per game. They are also third in the league in goals per game at 3.3. The Sharks are back in action this week with a mini two game home stand against the New York Islanders and a rematch with Minnesota.

Best Under play

Tampa Bay Lightning (0-3 O/U)

Do you think the Lightning miss Steven Stamkos? The Lightning have only averaged 1.9 goals over their last 10 games and he still leads the Bolts in goals even though he has been out of their lineup for almost a month. Tampa bay has lost three of the last four and seven of their last 10. A bright spot for the Lightning has been goaltender Ben Bishop. He is tied for fourth in the league with 15 wins and has a goals against average under two. This week the Lightning travel to Washington and host Detroit before starting a three game road trip.

Surveying the schedule:

If the New York Rangers want to make a move up in the standings the time is now. The Rangers are in the midst of an eight game home stand that they need to take advantage of. It did not get off to a great start with a 4-3 loss versus New Jersey, but a hapless trio of Nashville, Columbus and Calgary all make stops to Madison Square Garden this week.

[TheGame]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Pittsburgh won five of its last six games. Blue Jackets won three of their last four.
-- Carolina won five of its last seven games. Canucks won last four games, allowing six goals.
-- Ducks won ten of their first twelve home games.

Cold teams
-- Flyers lost five of their last seven road games. Ottawa lost four of last five overall.
-- Islanders lost their last nine games, scoring 14 goals.

Totals
-- Four of last five Ottawa-Philly games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Columbus games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Carolina-Vancouver games.
-- Five of last six Islander games stayed under the total.

Series records
-- Flyers won four of their last five games with Ottawa.
-- Penguins won four of last five games with Columbus.
-- Hurricanes lost last three trips to Vancouver: 4-3/4-3/5-1.
-- Islanders lost three of last four games with Anaheim

[TheGame]

7:30 PM
COLUMBUS vs. PITTSBURGH
Columbus is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Columbus's last 8 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing at home against Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Pittsburgh's last 14 games when playing Columbus

7:30 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Ottawa
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Ottawa
Ottawa is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
Ottawa is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

10:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. VANCOUVER
Carolina is 3-8-1 SU in its last 12 games ,when playing Vancouver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Vancouver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Carolina

10:00 PM
NY ISLANDERS vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 7 games on the road
NY Islanders are 2-4-1 SU in their last 7 games ,when playing on the road against Anaheim
Anaheim is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games

[TheGame]

NHL

Tuesday, December 10

Hot teams
-- Washington won four of its last five games.
-- Blue Jackets won last three home games, outscoring foes 9-2.
-- Kings won their last three games, allowing four goals. Montreal won nine of its last ten.
-- Red Wings won their last four road games, allowing five goals.
-- Colorado won six of its last nine home games.
-- Bruins won six of their last eight games. Calgary won three of last four.
-- Carolina won three of its last four games.

Cold teams
-- Buffalo lost eight of its last nine games. Senators lost four of their last six.
-- Lightning lost three of their last four games.
-- New Jersey lost three of its last four games.
-- Florida lost three of its last four home games.
-- Nashville lost its last five games, outscored 19-7. Rangers lost three of last four games.
-- Winnipeg lost its last three home games, allowing 14 goals. St Louis lost three of its last four games.
-- Dallas is 3-5 in last eight games, with last three losses in OT/SO. Blackhawks lost three of their last four games.
-- Coyotes lost six of their last eight games.
-- Edmonton lost three of its last four home games.
-- San Jose lost its last three games, but won their last five home games. Islanders lost last ten games, scoring seven goals in last six.

Totals
-- Six of last seven Ottawa games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Tampa Bay games; 10 of last 12 Tampa-Washington games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Columbus games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-2-5 in Los Angeles road games.
-- Five of last six Florida games went over the total.
-- Last three Ranger-Predator games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight St Louis-Winnipeg games.
-- Four of last five Chicago games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-1-1 in last seven Colorado games.
-- Five of last six Calgary games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Carolina road games.
-- Five of last seven Islander games stayed under the total; five of last six San Jose games went over.

Series records
-- Senators won four of last five games with Buffalo.
-- Lightning lost its last three games with Washington.
-- Devils lost three of last four games with Columbus.
-- Kings lost their last four games with Montreal.
-- Detroit won four of its last six games with Florida.
-- Rangers won last three games with Nashville, allowing one goal.
-- Blues won four of their last five games with Winnipeg.
-- Blackhawks won six of last seven games with Dallas.
-- Coyotes won four of last five visits to Colorado.
-- Bruins won last three games with Calgary, outscoring them 17-1.
-- Carolina won its last two games with Edmonton, 7-1/5-3.
-- Islanders lost their last five games with San Jose.

[TheGame]

StatFox Super Situations

LOS ANGELES at TORONTO
Play On - Any team against the money line (LOS ANGELES) off a home win where they shut out their opponent, with a winning record in the first half of the season 84-30 over the last 5 seasons. ( 73.7% | 47.5 units ) 10-1 this year. ( 90.9% | 9.5 units )

LOS ANGELES at TORONTO
Play On - Road teams against the money line (LOS ANGELES) off a home win where they shut out their opponent, with a winning record in the first half of the season 35-14 over the last 5 seasons. ( 71.4% | 23.5 units ) 2-1 this year. ( 66.7% | 1.4 units )

LOS ANGELES at TORONTO
Play Against - Road teams against the money line (LOS ANGELES) excellent defensive team - allowing <=2.4 goals/game on the season, after allowing 2 goals or less in 4 straight games 79-40 over the last 5 seasons. ( 66.4% | 37.1 units ) 13-8 this year. ( 61.9% | 5.4 units )

[TheGame]

7:30 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. TORONTO
Los Angeles is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Los Angeles's last 14 games when playing Toronto

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
Toronto is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. CHICAGO
Philadelphia is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Chicago is 6-17-1 SU in its last 24 games ,when playing Philadelphia

10:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. ANAHEIM
Minnesota is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim
Anaheim is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

[TheGame]

Hot teams
-- Kings won last four games, outscoring foes 15-4.
-- Blackhawks won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Ducks won their last three games, scoring 13 goals.
-- Minnesota lost three of last four.

Cold teams
-- Maple Leafs lost six of their last eight games.
-- Flyers lost three of their last four games.

Totals
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Toronto games.
-- Last three Philly games went over the total.
-- Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Anaheim games.

Series records
-- Road team won four of last five LA-Toronto games.
-- Flyers won last two games with Chicago, since losing to them in '10 Cup finals.
-- Ducks won their last five games with Minnesota.

[TheGame]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Blue Jackets won three of their last four games.
-- Canadiens won five of their last six games.
-- Bruins won seven of their last nine games.

Cold teams
-- Rangers lost four of their last five games.
-- Flyers lost four of their last five games.
-- Buffalo lost eight of last ten games. Senators lost five of last seven.
-- Red Wings lost three of their last four games. Lightning lost four of last five.
-- Toronto lost seven of its last nine games. Blues lost three of their last five.
-- Nashville lost five of its last six games. Dallas Stars lost six of their last nine.
-- Jets lost seven of their last eleven games. Colorado lost three of its last four.
-- Flames lost three of their last four home games. Carolina lost its last two games, scoring four goals.
-- Islanders snapped 10-game skid in shootout Tuesday. Phoenix lost six of last nine.
-- Edmonton is 2-6 in game following its last eight wins.
-- San Jose lost its last four games, scoring seven goals. Minnesota lost six of its last nine.

Totals
-- Four of last five Columbus games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Philly games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-0-2 in last seven Buffalo games.
-- Four of last five Tampa Bay games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five St Louis games.
-- Three of last four Dallas games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Colorado games.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Carolina games; last five Calgary games stayed under.
-- Six of last eight Islander games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Boston games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in last nine Minnesota games; five of last seven Shark games went over.

Series records
-- Rangers won their last four games with Columbus.
-- Flyers won eight of last eleven games with Montreal.
-- Sabres lost three of last four visits to Ottawa.
-- Lightning lost six of last seven games with Detroit.
-- Blues lost four of last five games with Toronto.
-- Predators won four of last five games with Nashville.
-- Jets won five of last eight games with Colorado.
-- Flames won four of last six games with Carolina.
-- Islanders lost four of last six games with Phoenix.
-- Bruins won last three games with Edmonton, allowing five goals.
-- Sharks lost five of last seven games with Minnesota.

[TheGame]

Red Wings at Lightning: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com

Detroit Red Wings at Tampa Bay Lightning (-122, 5.5)

All Star Pavel Datsyuk’s return to the lineup this week is a big boost for Detroit Red Wings as they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Datsyuk had a goal and an assist in his first game back Tuesday before Florida rallied to beat Detroit in a shootout. “Pavel gives us confidence and is a real good player, but the rest of us have to play better than we did,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock told the Detroit News. “If we’re counting on Pavel (to cure everything), that’s not how it works.”

The Red Wings coughed up a two-goal lead in the third period to drop a 3-2 decision and lose for the second straight game to Florida, which has more points than only two teams in the league. The Lightning scored the first three goals Tuesday at Washington before losing 6-5 in a shootout and are 1-2-2 over the last five. The new Atlantic Division rivals also meet in Detroit on Sunday.

LINE: The Lightning opened at -130 and have gone down to -122. The total hasn't moved from 5.5.

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (15-9-8): Datsyuk is back after missing seven games with a concussion, but captain and leading scorer Henrik Zetterberg was placed on long-term injured reserve as he recovers from a herniated disc. Johan Franzen could move back to the middle with center Stephen Weiss likely out with a groin injury. Jonas Gustavsson (8-1-1, .930 save percentage) gets another start in net and Petr Mrazek was recalled to be his backup after Jimmy Howard tweaked his knee at Florida.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (17-10-3): With six points in the last six games and a plus-4, rookie center Tyler Johnson continues to produce in an expanded role since All Star Steven Stamkos went down with a broken tibia last month. Captain Martin St. Louis, Johnson’s new linemate, recorded six points in the last three outings. The Lightning, who have been without their top defenseman Victor Hedman due to a lower-body injury the last two games, allowed five goals or more in four of the last 11 games.

TRENDS:

* Red Wings are 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings.
* Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Tampa Bay.
* Red Wings are 4-1 in the las five meetings in Tampa Bay.
* Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.

OVERTIME:

1. Detroit D Niklas Kronwall was tied for sixth among defensemen with 21 points through Tuesday’s games.

2. Tampa Bay C Nate Thompson has scored in each of the last two games after recording one goal in the first 28 contests.

3. The Red Wings had beaten Tampa Bay six straight times before their 3-2 overtime loss on Nov. 9 at Detroit

[TheGame]

StatFox Super Situations

BOSTON at EDMONTON
Play Against - Road Favorites against the money line (BOSTON) after allowing 2 goals or less in 4 straight games against opponent after allowing 4 goals or more 97-64 since 1997. ( 60.2% | 69.0 units ) 3-1 this year. ( 75.0% | 2.4 units )

CAROLINA at CALGARY
Play On - Any team against the money line (CAROLINA) extremely tired team - playing 8 or more games in 14 days, a marginal losing team (40% to 49%) playing a bad team (25-40%) in the first half of the season 38-11 since 1997. ( 77.6% | 28.3 units ) 1-1 this year. ( 50.0% | 0.3 units )

BOSTON at EDMONTON
Play Against - A favorite against the money line (BOSTON) after allowing 2 goals or less in 5 straight games against opponent after a game where both teams scored 4 goals or more 35-20 since 1997. ( 63.6% | 33.4 units ) 1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 1.0 units )

[TheGame]

7:00 PM
COLUMBUS vs. NY RANGERS
Columbus is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Columbus is 1-3-1 SU in their last 5 games ,when playing on the road against NY Rangers
NY Rangers are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games at home
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Columbus

7:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Montreal's last 7 games on the road
Montreal is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Montreal

7:30 PM
BUFFALO vs. OTTAWA
Buffalo is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Buffalo's last 8 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Ottawa's last 5 games at home
Ottawa is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:30 PM
DETROIT vs. TAMPA BAY
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home
Tampa Bay is 1-7-1 SU in its last 9 games ,when playing Detroit

8:00 PM
COLORADO vs. WINNIPEG
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing on the road against Winnipeg
Colorado is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games ,when playing on the road against Winnipeg
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Winnipeg's last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
Winnipeg is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

8:00 PM
DALLAS vs. NASHVILLE
Dallas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Dallas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nashville's last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
Nashville is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home

8:00 PM
TORONTO vs. ST. LOUIS
Toronto is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Toronto is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Toronto
St. Louis is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games

9:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. CALGARY
Carolina is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Carolina's last 10 games on the road
Calgary is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games
Calgary is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Carolina

9:00 PM
NY ISLANDERS vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the NY Islanders last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Phoenix7-2-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against NY Islanders

9:30 PM
BOSTON vs. EDMONTON
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
Edmonton is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games at home

10:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. SAN JOSE
Minnesota is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against San Jose
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing on the road against San Jose
San Jose is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
San Jose is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Minnesota

[TheGame]

StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

NHL EDMONTON at VANCOUVER
Play On - Any team against the money line (VANCOUVER) off a home win where they shut out their opponent, with a winning record in the first half of the season
85-30 over the last 5 seasons. ( 73.9% 48.5 units )
11-1 this year. ( 91.7% 10.5 units )

NHL EDMONTON at VANCOUVER
Play On - Any team against the money line (VANCOUVER) off a home win where they shut out their opponent, with a winning record on the season playing a losing team in the first half of the season
43-8 over the last 5 seasons. ( 84.3% 30.8 units )
5-0 this year. ( 100.0% 5.0 units )

NHL NEW JERSEY at PITTSBURGH
Play On - Road underdogs of +100 to +200 against the money line (NEW JERSEY) vs. division opponents, off a road loss against a division rival
198-184 since 1997. ( 51.8% 92.4 units )
4-10 this year. ( 28.6% -4.2 units )

[TheGame]

Devils at Penguins: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com

New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins (-176, 5)

It's hard enough for a team playing well to keep up with the high-powered Pittsburgh Penguins. It may be even more difficult for a struggling New Jersey Devils roster as they wrap up a three-game road trip Friday night at Consol Energy Center. The Devils dropped to 1-3-1 in December with a 5-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, and will be in tough against a Penguins team that has gone 13-3-0 at home this season.

The Penguins do have roster issues that may work in the Devils' favor. High-scoring winger James Neal continues to serve a five-game suspension for kneeing Boston's Brad Marchand in the head during a game last week, while defenseman Brooks Orpik remains sidelined with a concussion suffered in the same contest. The Devils are a banged-up bunch themselves, with defenseman Adam Larsson (lower-body) and rugged wing Ryan Clowe (head) among those sidelined.

ABOUT THE DEVILS (12-14-6): Despite New Jersey's injury woes - particularly on the back end, where three regulars are out - coach Peter DeBoer considers himself fortunate. "I'm just happy to have six (defensemen)," he told reporters Thursday. "With the way guys are going down, not just with us but around the league, I think you're happy to have six guys you feel you can put on the ice." New Jersey did receive some good news, as Anton Volchenkov returned to practice Thursday and will play against the Penguins.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (21-10-1): Armed with a comfortable lead atop the Metropolitan Division, Pittsburgh is one of the few teams in the league that can absorb injuries to key players and continue rolling along. But with solid contributions from replacements Simon Despres, Rob Scuderi and Olli Maatta, the Penguins haven't missed a beat. "It's not an ideal situation we have with those guys hurt, but you can't do anything about that," Maatta told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Guys get hurt, and somebody's got to step up. I feel like we have a lot of guys that have done that."

TRENDS:

* Devils are 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Under is 21-8-2 in the last 31 meetings.
* Penguins are 4-0 in their last four vs. Metropolitan.
* Home team is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.

OVERTIME:

1. The Penguins and Devils have split a pair of meetings this season, with the home team winning both times.

2. Pittsburgh captain and NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby has 21 goals and 25 assists in 41 career games versus New Jersey.

3. Cory Schneider will start in goal for the Devils.

[TheGame]

New Jersey at Pittsburgh, 7:05 ET
New Jersey: 12-5 SU after a road game where both teams score 3 or more goals
Pittsburgh: 52-77 SU when playing with 3 or more days rest

Washington at Florida, 7:35 ET
Washington: 11-4 SU when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days
Florida: 1-12 against the money line when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days

Edmonton at Vancouver, 9:05 ET
Edmonton: 40-35 SU in road games on Friday nights
Vancouver: 8-15 SU in home games off 2 consecutive home wins by 2 goals or more

[TheGame]

7:00 PM
NEW JERSEY vs. PITTSBURGH
New Jersey is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey

7:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. FLORIDA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Florida
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Florida
Florida is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games at home

9:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. VANCOUVER
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Edmonton's last 7 games when playing Vancouver
Vancouver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Vancouver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Edmonton