Thanksgiving Weekend has come and gone, meaning another week of betting on NHL games is here. While many people are still stuffed from turkey dinners, others have an appetite that can only be satisfied with more opportunities for hockey-related betting success.
The good news is that one doesn’t need to look far for help. Once again, we’ve gathered a couple of the most important NHL games for the week of Nov. 28 and some of the important futures betting trends that must be monitored.
NHL Games of the Week: Nov. 28 – Dec. 4
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings (Monday, Nov. 28)
The Atlantic Division has been tight thus far, and two of its hottest teams will collide on Monday. The Toronto Maple Leafs have won three games in a row while picking up points in eight straight but should be tested by a Detroit Red Wings team on a four-game winning streak.
Oddsmakers list the Maple Leafs as -146 moneyline favorites despite being on the road. Meanwhile, the Red Wings sit as +122 underdogs at Little Caesars Arena despite going 7-2-2 there this year.
Nevertheless, Toronto has won six of its last seven trips to Detroit. Unsurprisingly, Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner play a significant role in the Maple Leafs’ success, recording 11 points apiece in those encounters.
Speaking of Matthews, he’s started to heat up lately. The five-time All-Star has 10 points in his last eight games, which has helped him maintain the third-best odds (+900) to win the Hart Memorial Trophy.
The total for the game is six goals, with the over being favored at -122 odds. Interestingly enough, the over has hit eight of the last 12 matchups between these two teams. On top of that, they’ve combined for at least seven goals in six of their previous 10 meetings.
With the Leafs and Red Wings both playing terrifically, expect a high-flying tilt here.
- Colorado Avalanche vs. Boston Bruins (Saturday, Dec. 3)
NHL enthusiasts will be treated to a potential Stanley Cup preview when the Colorado Avalanche pay a visit to the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
After a back-and-forth start to the campaign, the Avalanche are on a roll. They’re 8-2-0 straight up in their last 10 games heading into the week and are currently +500 Stanley Cup favorites.
However, the Bruins are right behind them in the odds race, sitting second at +700. Boston is off to a sizzling start with the best record in the NHL at 18-3, including a perfect 12-0 at home.
This game will be nothing short of a star-studded affair. The Bruins’ David Pastrnak enters the week tied for third in scoring with 32 points, while Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are both inside the top 10.
That said, this game may feature fewer goals than expected. Both teams are tied for the fewest goals allowed this year at 47, and the total has gone under in seven of the Avalanche’s last eight road games. At the same time, Boston has experienced the under in five of its previous seven home games.
Regardless of how this game shakes out, don’t be surprised if both teams meet again in the spring with a championship on the line.
NHL Futures Odds Update
Sorokin, Ullmark’s Vezina Odds Skyrocket
- Ilya Sorokin, NYI (+350)
- Linus Ullmark, BOS (+500)
- Jake Oettinger, DAL (+550)
- Igor Shesterkin, NYR (+550)
- Connor Hellebuyck, WPG (+550)
- Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL (+950)
The New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin has finally taken over the Vezina Trophy race. The former 2014 third-rounder is the +350 odds-on favorite to win the award after going 10-5-0 through 16 starts, recording a .933 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.19 goals-against average (GAA) with two shutouts.
Linus Ullmark’s performance with the Bruins this season has also seen him rise up the odds list. The 27-year-old sits second at +500 after being at +1500 two weeks ago, leading all goalies in wins (13), SV% (.935) and GAA (2.00).
Although Sorokin and Ullmark have been fun to watch, they aren’t in the clear yet. Not only are Jake Oettinger, Igor Shesterkin and Connor Hellebuycky right behind them, but they’re in a three-way tie for the third-best Vezina odds (+550). A string of solid starts could see any of the trio climb to a much higher spot for the next update.
Bruins Overtake President’s Trophy Race
- Boston Bruins (+200)
- Colorado Avalanche (+450)
- New Jersey Devils (+650)
- Vegas Golden Knights (+750)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (+1100)
- Carolina Hurricanes (+1400)
After being the NHL’s best team through the first quarter, the Bruins are now the President’s Trophy favorites. Three weeks ago, they had the second-best odds (+600) to lead the league in points. With Boston winning eight of its last nine games since then, the Bruins are now the clear +200 favorite to win the award.
The Avalanche were the +450 favorites in our last update but have fallen to second due to Boston’s rise. While those odds aren’t terrible, Colorado currently sits 11 points behind the Bruins with just two games in hand. Making up the difference will be challenging, but there’s still a lot of time.
Another noteworthy development is the New Jersey Devils leapfrogging to the No. 3 spot (+650). After all, they’re 15-1-0 in their last 16 games, proving to everyone that they’re legitimately one of the best teams in the NHL this year. As long as they keep this pace up, the Devils will remain President’s Trophy threats.
Makar Continues Dominating Norris Odds
- Cale Makar, COL (+145)
- Adam Fox, NYR (+750)
- Roman Josi, NSH (+750)
- Rasmus Dahlin, BUF (+800)
- Erik Karlsson, SJS (+1000)
- Victor Hedman, TBL (+1200)
Before the 2022-23 season even began, Cale Makar was viewed as the clear-cut James Norris Trophy favorite. Fast forward over a month into the season, and nothing has changed. Makar is still the +145 favorite after racking up 21 points in his first 19 games while leading his team to success on both sides of the puck.
As far as big jumps go, Rasmus Dahlin (+1500 to +800) and Erik Karlsson (+1600 to +1000) have seen their odds surge recently. Dahlin is having the best season of his career, and his 23 points in 20 games put him on pace for over 90 if he remains healthy.
At the same time, you can’t forget about Karlsson. The two-time Norris winner has been to the top of the mountain before and is motivated to become the ninth defensemen in NHL history to win the award three times.
As it stands, Karlsson currently leads all defensemen with 11 goals, while his 32 points are eight more than the next closest player, who happens to be Adam Fox (+750).
Note: Odds and lines from FanDuel Sportsbook are current at time of writing and subject to change.
