NHL weekend betting preview: Predators and Panthers to light the lamp

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section

There were no games Thursday due to Thanksgiving, so we're treated to a very busy schedule this weekend, with a whopping 17 teams playing both Friday and Saturday.

Here's your guide to navigating the chaos.

Game betting

Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres (Friday)

It's Maple Leafs or bust when it comes to picking a side here, but you're paying a premium to back them in Buffalo. The Sabres have struggled to score in recent weeks and this game comes with an inflated total thanks to Toronto starting Michael Hutchinson. The over is a popular play but this is a good spot to be a contrarian and back the under of 6.5 goals despite the rate at which the Maple Leafs are scoring.

St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars (Friday)

The Blues are coming off a big win in Tampa on Wednesday night, while the Stars were shutout in Chicago on Tuesday. Dallas will be out for revenge after being dumped from the playoffs last season by St. Louis and has been in impeccable form throughout November, winning all six of its home games. The Stars get the job done here to finish the month with a record of 7-0 at American Airlines Center.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals (Friday)

The line makes this virtually a pick'em (-110) as the Lighting continue to be overvalued by oddsmakers. Fading Tampa Bay is always a dangerous proposition because the Lightning have the talent to break out and win on any given night, regardless of their opponent. But there's too much value here to not take the white-hot Capitals at even money on home ice.

Nashville Predators at Florida Panthers (Saturday)

This is something of a perfect storm. The Predators are 7-2 to the over on the road this year and have been unable to keep goals out of their net. Juuse Saros will likely get the start here with Nashville also playing Friday, and he's having a rough season with a 3.13 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage. The Panthers have scored the third-most goals in the NHL and are 9-2 to the over at home this season. Consider backing them on the puck line here, but definitely play the over, even if it's at 6.5.

San Jose Sharks at Arizona Coyotes (Saturday)

The Sharks have done well to turn around their season after a brutal start, but this is a tough spot for them as they fly to Arizona after hosting the Los Angeles Kings on Friday. San Jose has scored just four goals in three latter games of a back-to-back this season, and it's hard to envision an outburst against a Coyotes team that keeps it tight in defense. The under looks like a strong play, as does Arizona on the moneyline.

Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks (Sunday)

This is the second game of a home-and-home between these teams after a matchup Saturday in Edmonton. That first contest is a no-go for me, though I'd take the Oilers and the under if forced to make a play. Sunday, however, with Thatcher Demko likely in net, you should back the Canucks to finish the weekend series strong. The under is also worth a look at any total of six or higher.

Game props

Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks (Friday)

A meeting between the Avalanche and Blackhawks suggests goals, but that hasn't been the case when they meet in Chicago. The first-period under has hit in seven of their last eight meetings in the Windy City.

Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs (Saturday)

Note: this is for Saturday's game in Toronto, with Frederik Andersen starting. The Sabres' offense has dried up significantly, especially on the road. With the Maple Leafs galvanized by their coaching change and playing much better hockey, look at Buffalo's team total under 2.5, which has been a profitable play when the Sabres are on the road in the second game of a back-to-back.

Player props

Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche (Saturday)

Again, this is for Saturday's game in Colorado, not Friday's in Chicago. Mikko Rantanen is set to return to the Avalanche's lineup for this game after being sidelined since Oct. 21 with an ankle injury. I like him to mark his return with a goal. He has four tallies in his last four home games against the Blackhawks.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.

Copyright (C) 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.