NHL Christmas Week Picks

With no NHL games on Christmas weekend, you need to get your NHL bets in by mid-week if you want to bet and win. Let's get started.

NHL Christmas Week Picks

What’s going to happen when Los Angeles travels to Nashville to battle the Predators on Thursday? Can Chicago take down the Avalanche at home on Friday, Dec. 23? Also on Friday, will the Kings beat Dallas on the road in the second game of a back-to-back on Friday?

Los Angeles at Nashville
When:  Thursday, Dec. 22 at 8:00 pm ET
Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
TV: FSWHD/FSSM

Analysis: By the time the Kings battle Nashville on Thursday, it will be their sixth straight game on the road. That’s ridiculous. No team in the NHL should have to play 6 straight road contests.

What affect will that have on the Kings? Not a good one. What’s troubling if you’re a Kings’ fan is that the last time they battled Nashville, on Oct. 27, it took over time for L.A. to beat the Preds.

Nashville is an excellent 10-3-1-2 at home to start the week. The Preds get to rest for a couple of days before battling the Kings on Thursday night. It’s hard to see Nashville losing this one.    

Pick: Nashville  

Colorado at Chicago
When:  Friday, Dec. 23 at 8:30 pm ET
Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
TV: ALT/CSNC

Analysis: Colorado is one of those rare NHL teams that plays much better on the road than they do at home. The Avalanche are 4-10-0-1 at home this season as of Dec.19. They are 7-8 in away matches as of Dec.19.

But the last time they battled Chicago, the Avalanche lost 0 to 4. That happened more than a month ago, on Nov. 3. Chicago may not have Corey Crawford in goal for this game. It shouldn’t matter. Scott Darling is a decent goalie.

I must consider backing Chicago on the puck line in this match up.  

Pick: Chicago  

Los Angeles at Dallas
When:  Friday, Dec. 23 at 8:30 pm ET
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
TV: FSWHD/FSSW

Analysis: By the time the Kings take on Dallas on Friday, it will be their seventh straight game on the road. The last time that L.A. battled Dallas, the Kings beat them 4 to 3 in OT. That’s something for L.A.

It’s still hard to back L.A. in their seventh straight road game. It’s definitely hard to back the Kings considering that they battle Columbus on the road on Dec. 20. But the Stars have gone 4-6 in their last 10 to start the week. Not only that but Dallas has fallen to 13-14-6 as of Dec. 19. Plus, the Stars battle St. Louis on Dec. 20 before this game versus the Kings.   

I’m backing L.A.

Pick: Los Angeles