NHL Friday parlay at mega (+1068) odds, today 12/23: Panthers look to pounce

The NHL will be off for the next few days after tonight, which means we need to take full advantage of the huge slate of games. There’s been 2 postponements due to weather, but we’ve still got 11 matchups on the board. For a sport that’s played on the ice, it’s ironic for winter storms to cause postponements. Regardless, we have some great games set to take place, including the 2 of the top teams in the Eastern Conference facing off in New Jersey. However, we’re going to get our mega parlay started with a different battle in the east, and very close by, so let’s dive in. 

Along with our NHL mega parlay, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.

Florida Panthers -1.5 (+205) over New York Islanders

We mentioned that Eastern Conference clash in New Jersey, which features the Devils. That was the last team the Panthers faced, and they held a lead over that great team before ultimately falling in the end. However, they have a great opportunity to bounce back against the Islanders team that will be on the second night of a back-to-back. With so many teams in action, that’s going to be the case across the board. That doesn’t mean we can’t take advantage of those situations, especially the one in New York. 

The Islanders will be entering this matchup having had to take on their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers, the night prior. That was the 3rd and final meeting between them, so it’s no surprise that they had starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin in net. Backup Semyon Varlamov is no scrub, but he’s still not the starter for a reason. The Panthers were actually able to beat that tough Devils team less than a week ago, and really need a win before this mini-break. For a team that had the NHL’s best record last season, not being in playoff position right now is a huge disappointment. Florida has already beaten New York twice this season, and can complete the trifecta tonight. 

Dallas Stars -1.5 (-115) over Montreal Canadiens

We’re not going to pick on another team on the second night of back-to-back again, yet anyway. Instead we’re simply focused on a mismatch of talent. The Stars have been the class of the Central Division the majority of the season, and will look to head into the 3-day break in the same position. Much like the Panthers, they too will be looking to bounce back tonight. That hasn’t often been the case for Dallas, but taking on Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers is always a tough task. Regardless, the Canadiens do not have that sort of starpower or depth. 

Montreal actually had an impressive game their last time on the ice, holding the Colorado Avalanche to just 1 goal in regulation. However, they still went on to lose that game, which speaks volumes to their own goal-scoring struggles. That’s the worst thing for a team to be experiencing when going up against this Stars team. Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger has been elite this year, and was exactly that when these teams faced earlier this season. That was a convincing 5-2 win by the Stars, which was up in Montreal. Now in the comfort of their own arena and the Canadiens on their 3rd straight road game, expect a similar result.

Be sure to check out our Montreal Canadiens vs Dallas Stars prediction

Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (+105) over Vancouver Canucks

Now let’s pick on another team that will be on the second night of a back-to-back. After taking on the Seattle Kraken in Vancouver, the Canucks will now have to face the aforementioned McDavid and the Oilers. That’s a perfect recipe for both McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to have excellent nights given Vancouver’s terrible goaltending. No matter how you slice it, they’ve been awful. They’re allowing the 3rd-most goals per game overall, the 3rd-most on the road, and the 4th-most in the last month. 

McDavid and company just scored 6 goals on that stout Stars defense we discussed, so tonight should be more of the same. Not only that, they did so on the road. Now they get to head back to Edmonton for this matchup and did not have to play Thursday night. When these teams met in Vancouver earlier this season, that was also a multi-goal win by the Oilers. Even if the Canucks miraculously find themselves with their better goaltending of last season, Edmonton beat them in all 4 meetings then too. Look for a big game from the superstars in McDavid and Draisaitl to lead to a big win.    

Friday’s NHL mega parlay (12/23)

Panthers -1.5 (+205)

Stars -1.5 (-115)

Oilers -1.5 (+105)

Parlay odds +1068

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