Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, December 1

San Jose Sharks vs. New Jersey Devils

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Friday

• Moneyline: Sharks (+360) | Devils (-470)

• Puck Line: Sharks +2.5 (-135) | Devils -2.5 (+114) 

• Total: Over 6.5 (-125) | Under 6.5 (-105)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Get $150 in Bonus Bets at DraftKings!

My Pick: New Jersey Devils (NJ)

There are only two games in Friday night's NHL game slate and one is expected to be a domination as the San Jose Sharks (5-16-2) go on the road to take on the New Jersey Devils (11-9-1). The Devils are coming into the game as heavy favorites due to their reliability on the offensive side of the ice and how terrible the Sharks are overall.

New Jersey is back above .500% due to the current three-game win streak. Their most recent win was Thursday night with an overtime road win versus the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3.

San Jose started the season with a 0-10-1 overall record. They have been the most inconsistent team this season as their offense and defense have been key issues. The Sharks are coming off a 3-0 road loss to the Boston Bruins shedding a two-game-winning streak.

New Jersey is ranked fifth in the league in goals per game as they possess young, high-caliber stars that turn the game. One of these players is center Jack Hughes, who is a serious All-Star candidate despite missing a few weeks with an injury.

The Sharks, on the other hand, are the worst team in the NHL when it comes to offensive and defensive play. San Jose only averages a league-low of 1.57 goals per game while allowing a league-worst 3.96 goals per game.

In a game like this where one team is heavily favorite. it is smart to often bet the over and under. With the line set at 6.5, it is mostly due to the high-power offense of the Devils. Well the Devils could likely accomplish a high-scoring game themselves, there is no faith that the Sharks will even score at all. The Sharks are coming off a 3-0 loss on the road the night before to the Boston Bruins. 

Ottawa Senators vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Friday

• Moneyline: Senators (-148) | Blue Jackets (+124)

• Puck Line: Senators -1.5 (+164) | Blue Jackets +1.5 (-198) 

• Total: Over 7 (+144) | Under 7 (-135)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Ottawa Senators (OTT)

The biggest game of the night and, not just by default, is the Eastern Conference matchup between the Ottawa Senators (8-9) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (7-13-4). This is a game I should attract normal betting opportunities based on the outcome of the game and not just from the over and under.

The Senators have been up and down this season battling through an incredibly tough Eastern Conference schedule. They have eventually found a rhythm in the first full week of November as they have won four of the last seven games. Ottawa however is coming off a two-game losing streak as they have been outscored by the New York Islanders and the Florida Panthers by a 10-3 score.

The Blue Jackets are among the most disappointing teams in the NHL this season as the talent on the roster does not match the production. Columbus hit its lowest point of the season after a 5-2 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers to secure a nine-game losing streak. At that point, the Blue Jackets accounted for an overall record of 4-11-4. They are, however, on a positive winning streak as they have won three of the last five games.

While both teams are similar on the defensive side of the ice, the Senators are a much more efficient team on offense than the Blue Jackets. Ottawa is sixth in the league in goals per game averaging 3.47 goals, while Columbus is only averaging 2.88, 25th in the league.

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