NHL Parlay Picks Today: Tuesday, December 23
Parlay 1 (+147) BetMGM
Sabres +1.5 at -175
Oilers ML at -175
It might seem strange to fade the Senators given their ongoing four-game win streak. But this streak turns out to be unimpressive when we break it down. They beat a Boston team that has now lost three in a row, a Chicago team that has lost five in a row because it misses its best offensive player, a Pittsburgh team that had lost six in a row before facing them, and a likewise ice-cold Winnipeg team that has now lost seven of its last eight games. It would make perfect sense for Ottawa to lose, to the right opponent, after getting to face four straight struggling teams. Buffalo is the right opponent today: the Sabres have won six in a row, with their last victim being a 20-15-1 New Jersey squad that had won two games in a row. Center Josh Norris’ return has given the Sabres a strong boost, adding versatile offensive quality to their improved goal-tending and increased offensive production.
Edmonton hosts Calgary for the second time this season. The first time was the season-opener. Normally, Edmonton loses its season-opener in blowout fashion. Against Calgary this year, the Oilers lost in a shootout. Now the Oilers enjoy much better form heading into tonight’s rematch. They have won three of their last four overall and four of their last five at home, whereas Calgary has lost three of its last four road games. As evident in its wins over Seattle and Detroit, Edmonton is reliable in home rematches against teams that it had narrowly lost to. The Flames are also in a let-down spot after their last game because they are 1-5 in a game that follows one in which they scored five or more goals.
Parlay 2 (+175) Caesars
Flyers-Blackhawks Under 5.5 at +100
Avalanche ML at -267
One might be inclined to fade the Blackhawks, who have now lost five in a row. Their offense clearly suffers without elite center Connor Bedard, who ranks top 20 in both goals and assists. Don’t be misled by Chicago’s last game. While the Blackhawks scored four goals against Ottawa, their offense continued to lack flow and rhythm. Instead, they relied on scoring off rebounds. They won’t be able to rely on rebounds tonight, though, because the Flyers allow the fewest rebound goals. Philadelphia itself won’t score enough goals to challenge the “over,” though. The Flyers’ offense always suffers a let-down after a big game. They have failed to exceed two goals in all six games that followed one in which they scored five or more goals. Both the Blackhawks and Flyers will fail to exceed two goals tonight.
Colorado has won five in a row, most recently dominating a Minnesota team that had won seven in a row before facing them. Colorado is also in a strong spot tonight because it is 9-0-1 this year in the first home game that follows a road game. The Avalanche won’t be challenged by a Utah team that, while eking past teams like Pittsburgh and Seattle that rank over 25 spots behind Colorado in goal-scoring, is struggling to string wins together.