NHL Betting Picks, Player Props, and DFS Plays for Friday 12/15/23

A six-game NHL Friday brings us into the weekend.

Whether it's moneylines, total goals, or player props, there are plenty of ways to bet on the NHL action all season long. It's a long 82-game season, meaning that the best selections of each night can be very different based on backup goalies coming into play, injuries that add up, and if teams are due for positive or negative swings.

There's also daily fantasy to jump in on, and with six games set for the slate, there are plenty of options for tonight.

Let’s take a look at which NHL odds are worth checking out per FanDuel Sportsbook.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All advanced stats come from Evolving-Hockey.com and Natural Stat Trick unless noted otherwise. Please check here to make sure you're seeing the most updated projections.

NHL Best Bets

Boston Bruins at New York Islanders

Over 5.5 Goals (-102)

Two of the Eastern Conference's top teams collide tonight as the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders face off.

These two teams have found success this year by limiting their opponents -- which is why we the total here is just 5.5. However, both teams haven't been as good at defense and holding back their opponents from getting opportunities as it may seem.

Boston has a 25th-ranked 62.52 Corsi Against per 60 minutes, and New York has a 31st-ranked 70.97 Corsi Against per 60 minutes. Opportunities should be for these offense, but scoring will be difficult with Linus Ullmark and Ilya Sorokin in net.

Ullmark has a 2.71 goals against average, .917 save percentage, and 7.89 goals saved above expectation. Sorokin has been similar, posting a 3.11 goals against average, .914 save percentage, 9.16 goals saved above expectation. These two have been among the best goaltenders in hockey, but I'm banking on an open game to help push this to the over.

The Bruins are averaging 3.18 Goals For per 60 minutes, with the Islanders putting together 3.02 Goals For. Boston is missing Charlie McAvoy and Derek Forbort defensively, which should open up chances for the Islanders to make a mark.

Buffalo Sabres at Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights -1.5 (+114)

The Vegas Golden Knights have been one of hockey's best teams all year long, and I don't see that changing tonight.

Vegas will take on the Buffalo Sabres at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights have been able to stop their opposition from scoring at an elite rate. While their 61.42 Corsi Against ranks in the middle of the NHL, they're the best team in the league in terms of goals against, allowing 2.35 per game, the fewest in the league.

Buffalo, meanwhile, is allowing the ninth-most Goals Against per 60 minutes at a 3.31 clip.

Goaltending is also on the side of the Golden Knights, with Logan Thompson expected to start.

Thompson has a 2.39 goals against average and .915 save percentage -- putting together a 9-3-3 record. He ranks 13th among goaltenders with 8.58 goals saved above expectation. Devon Levi will be between the pipes for the Sabres. The 21-year-old has been fine thus far, posting a 3.16 goals against average and .893 save percentage, but he's not good enough to scare us from taking the Knights.

It's also worth noting that Vegas averages 3.3 Goals For while Buffalo sits in the bottom 10 at 2.81 Goals For.

All the advantages are with the Golden Knights, and I'm siding with them to win by at least two goals.

NHL Player Props

David Pastrnak to Record 5+ Shots On Goal (-168)

Shots aren't always easy to bank on, but they are when it's someone like David Pastrnak.

The Bruins' star has been dominant this season with 16 goals, 23 assists, and 39 points through 27 games. He's totaled 136 shots on goal this season, averaging 5.04 shots on goal per game. With the Bruins taking on an Islanders team that has the second-worst Corsi Against (70.97), Pastrnak should have little problem getting the puck on net in this one.

Over his last five games, Pastrnak has tallied six or more shots four times. Considering all we're looking for is five tonight from the Bruins winger, he should be able to make it happen with his team looking to get back on track.

Chris Kreider Any Time Goal (+130)

Chris Kreider is due for a goal, and I think he gets it today against the Anaheim Ducks.

The New York Rangers have looked like the best team in the NHL, giving them all the support to tackle the Ducks with ease. Anaheim has a 62.02 Corsi Against per 60 minutes -- the 21st-worst. They've also taken the most penalties of any team in the NHL, which is something that can help Kreider get on the board tonight.

In 27 games this year, Kreider has scored 14 goals, but he hasn't been able to pot one over the last five games. Seven of his 14 goals are on the power play, which isn't too shocking given that he scored 35 power-play goals two years ago and 17 last season.

If the Ducks give the Rangers opportunities -- which they should with a league-high 155 penalties this year -- I like Kreider's chances of netting a goal.

FanDuel Daily Fantasy Plays

Goalie To Target

Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins ($8,600)

Linus Ullmark is a goalie to zero in on tonight in NHL DFS.

The six-game slate isn't strong, which is why I'm opting to just side with the best goalie against a weak offensive team. The Isles don't record many opportunities, with their 21st-ranked 58.06 Corsi For per 60 minutes. New York is also scoring just 3.02 Goals For per 60 minutes, placing them in the bottom half of the NHL.

Ullmark has a .917 save percentage and has stopped 7.89 goals above expectation. He's played a major part in the Bruins holding their opponents to just 2.45 Goals Against per 60 minutes.

numberFire's model is projecting Ullmark for 22.0 FanDuel points -- the most of any goaltender on the slate.

Stack

New York Rangers

The Rangers are capable of a big night against Anaheim.

New York has benefitted from their defense and goalie play more than anything to start the 2023-24 campaign. However, the Rangers' offense has done enough to get it done, including scoring 3.22 Goals For per 60 minutes, which ranks 12th in the NHL. Their offense should find success against the Ducks, who allow the eighth-most Goals Against at a 3.37 mark.

The Ducks are expected to start Lukas Dostal in net tonight. While Anaheim's netminder had a hot start to the season, he has come back down to Earth and is having a tough run -- which is great news for the Rangers. Overall, Dostal is sporting a 3.95 goals against average and .885 save percentage. Over his last four games, he's allowed five or more goals three times.

It's hard not to get excited about what the Rangers could do today.

When stacking the Rangers, you'll want to lean on their top two duos -- Chris Kreider ($7,100) and Mika Zibanejad ($6,900) then Artemi Panarin ($10,000) and Vincent Trocheck ($6,600). All four get top-line minutes thanks to being on the top power-play unit, a group that can do plenty of damage against the penalty-filled Ducks.

Looking for more NHL betting opportunities? Check out all of the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.