NHL Betting Picks and DFS Plays for Thursday 12/28/23

Tonight's four-game slate has some key matchups to consider

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

Philadelphia Flyers at Vancouver Canucks

Canucks ML (-166)

Something has to give tonight when the Philadelphia Flyers face off with the Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks. We expect it to be the Flyers, who have no answers for what has been an elite offense by the Canucks.

These two teams have been among the best in limiting their opposition from getting the puck in the net. The Flyers rank ninth in the NHL with 2.71 goals against per 60 minutes while the Canucks are tied for second (2.49). But, when it comes to scoring themselves, it's not remotely the same. Vancouver still leads the NHL with 3.83 goals per 60 minutes, and Philadelphia hasn't been nearly as successful, coming in at 2.92 goals per 60 (24th in hockey).

That's why we're taking the Canucks tonight. But, if there's any other reason, it'll be the goalie matchup. The Flyers will be rolling out Samuel Ersson, who has posted a strong 2.56 goals against average but an .899 save percentage. On the other side of the ice, the Canucks will send out their best netminder with Thatcher Demko. Demko has been arguably hockey's best goalie this year, earning 17 wins with a 2.46 goals against average and a .917 save percentage.

We're riding with Vancouver tonight.

Edmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks

Oilers -1.5 (-160)

A high-power offensive unit like the Edmonton Oilers should be able to do work against a San Jose Sharks team that is playing the second game of a back-to-back.

Unlike the Sharks, the Oilers did not kick back into action after the holiday break last night, having all the more time to rest and revamp as they head into the second half of the 2023-24 NHL campaign. That's dangerous news for the Sharks seeing that, over the last 25 games, the Oilers have flashed the offensive greatness that they usually dominate the league with, ranking second with 3.58 goals per 60 minutes. In that same timespan, the Sharks are allowing the most goals per 60 minutes (3.88). That screams to take the Oilers at -1.5 all night.

Edmonton also ranks fourth in the NHL with a 66.26 Corsi For per 60 minutes and, you guessed it, the Sharks are at the bottom of the league, allowing 71.22 Corsi per 60 minutes. San Jose also generates little offense with their 52.06 Corsi and 2.09 goals per 60, signing off on what should be a strong night for the Oilers on both ends of the ice.

Playing their second game in as many nights, it's hard to see the Sharks having the legs to overcome the rested, high-powered Oilers.

FanDuel Daily Fantasy Plays

Goalie To Target

Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks ($8,000)

Sometimes it's as simple as taking the best goalie on the slate, and that's exactly what we're doing with Thatcher Demko.

Demko, as noted earlier, has dazzled for the Canucks this season. His 2.46 goals against average ranks eighth in the NHL while his .917 save percentage ranks ninth. Then when it comes to stop goals that should be going in the net, he's also the best at 17.37 goals saved above expectation (GSAx). He's been at the top for much of the 2023-24 season, proving that his performance has been no fluke.

The Philadelphia Flyers present an inviting matchup for goaltenders. Their 18th-ranked 59.81 Corsi per 60 minutes isn't anything to be afraid of, but it is high enough to expect shots on goal for Demko to rack up points in DFS lineups. Any fear of them scoring a lot of goals goes away considering they're only scoring 2.92 goals per 60, making for the ideal situation of the night between the eight goalies stepping between the pipes.

numberFire's model projects Demko for a strong night overall, expecting him to finish with 19.1 FanDuel points.

Stack

Edmonton Oilers

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise from earlier that the Edmonton Oilers are the team we're stacking tonight.

Facing the San Jose Sharks is always an inviting matchup and often leads to the team you want to stack. That's only enhanced all the more when they're playing back-to-back days. They're coming off a rough 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, moving their disappointing campaign to 9-23-3.

When you're giving up more than four goals per game (4.02) as well as giving up the most opportunities (71.22 Corsi allowed per 60), it's hard to imagine any other result than loss after loss. The Oilers should carry their fourth-ranked 66.26 Corsi For per 60 minutes and sixth-ranked 3.43 goals per 60 minutes into this game to simply dominate.

Mackenzie Blackwood will be starting for the Sharks. He's been roughed up this seaso as you'd expect. Heading into tonight, he has a 3.92 goals against average and .889 save percentage. Over his last three games, he's allowed five, five, and six goals. Yikes.

In terms of who we're stacking, it starts with Connor McDavid ($10,200) and then everyone else. McDavid is numberFire's top projected player of the night with 23.3 FanDuel points. After McDavid, slotting in Zach Hyman ($9,500) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($6,900) makes all the sense as they're paired on the top line with the Oilers captain at even strength and on the first power-play unit.

Evan Bouchard ($8,100) is a great option on the back end; he's got 8 goals and 24 assists. Leon Draisaitl ($9,200) is an option, as well, but his high salary and being away from McDavid on the second line makes a fade easier to justify.

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.