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NHL Totals Betting Advice: Hot and Cold Over and Under Teams 12/4/2024

by Ryan Cobbett - 12/4/2024

NHL totals betting advice hot over and under teams Elvis Merzlikins Columbus Blue Jackets

As we enter the final month of the calendar year, we are starting to see some separation within the division standings, and it is now the time we start to believe in hot starts and fraudulent teams. The Wild currently hold the top spot in the league standings, while the Capitals have the best point differential in the league at +31. The Blackhawks are currently in the league’s basement with just 18 points, while the Penguins still have the worst goal differential with a -27 mark. As far as game totals go, we are seeing some low scoring games within the Central Division, while bottom of the barrel teams like the Blue Jackets and Sharks have been participating in some high scoring contests. Let’s take a look at who is seeing the north or south side of the total, the most.

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Over

Columbus Blue Jackets 7-2-1

The Blue Jackets have been participating in some very high scoring games over the last three weeks. They are 6-3-1 overall during their last 10 games, and their offense has been averaging 4 GF/G. Elvis Merzlikins started nine of the last 10 games, as he earned more of the starts after a strong start to the campaign. However, his numbers have slipped up just a bit as he has allowed 3.33 GA/G, which has brought his season total up to 3.0 GA/G. Zach Werenski (26 points, +11 rating), Kirill Marchenko (24 points, +15 rating), and Sean Monahan (22 points, +11 rating) have been carrying this team offensively, accounting for over 31% of the teams goals and over 32% of the teams total offensive output. The Blue Jackets have three straight games on the road up next, and the over has hit in just six of their 12 road games this season. Overall, the Blue Jackets have hit the over in 16 of their 24 games this season.

San Jose Sharks 7-2-1

Next up on the list is the San Jose Sharks, who have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last five games. They are currently riding a three-game winning streak, and their offense has been lighting up the scoreboard. Over the last 10 games, the Sharks have scored 38 goals, with 24 of those goals coming in the last five games. On the flip side, their goaltending has continued to struggle, as they have allowed 3.4 GA/G. However, for game totals sake, the Sharks games have averaged a total of 7.2 goals per game. Mikael Granlund is making himself quite an attractive trade piece, as the veteran forward has tallied 29 points on 10 goals and 19 assists. Tyler Toffoli has had a nice year as well for the Sharks, as he has 18 points and 10 goals on the year. The Sharks have four more road games remaining on this six-game road trip, and the over has hit in just seven of their 15 road games this season. Overall, the Sharks have seen the north side of the game total in just 13 of their 28 games this season.

Vancouver Canucks 7-3

It is a bit odd to see the Canucks on this list as their offense has struggled this season. After storming out of the gates last season as one of the league’s top scoring teams, the Canucks rank 11th in the league with a 3.25 GF/G mark. Their goaltending has been a bit of an issue, with Thatcher Demko remaining out of action. Offseason addition Kevin Lankinen has been killing it as the primary starter for the Canucks. He has allowed just 2.66 GA/G through his first 18 appearances, while posting a 12-3-3 record. Lankinen’s 18 starts at this point in the season is tied for the most he has had since the 2021/22 season. And it is only December, so it remains to be seen if he can keep it up over the course of the season. His backup, and postseason hero, Arturs Silovs, has not seen the same success as he did in last year’s playoff run, as he is allowing 4.11 GA/G on a .847 SV%. Vancouver is set to start a six game homestand, and they have seen the over hit in seven of their 11 home games this season. Overall, the Canucks have hit the over in 13 of their 24 games this season.

Under

Winnipeg Jets 2-8

After a historic start to the season, the Jets have fallen off a bit and are just 3-7 over their last 10 games. The offense has flat out disappeared, as the Jets have scored just 22 goals and have been held to one or no goals six times during this stretch. Connor Hellebuyck is still posting elite numbers, which helps the south side of the game total hit. He has allowed 2.16 GA/G and has posted a .927 SV% this season. The over has hit in only seven of Hellebuyck’s 20 games this season, with the under hitting in six of his last seven starts. Until the Jets find their stride offensively, the south side of the game total seems to be a solid bet, especially when Hellebuyck is in the crease. Overall, the Jets have seen the under hit in 14 of their 26 games this season.

Nashville Predators 2-8

To continue our Central Division trend, the Nashville Predators have also seen a lot of low scoring games over the last three weeks. Their disappointing season continues, as they have won just two games over their last 10 chances but have picked up points in five of their losses as they were all extended to extra time. The offense has yet to find its footing this season, as the Predators are last in the league with a lowly 2.32 GF/G mark, with Roman Josi (22 points) as the only Nashville player to reach the 20-point mark on the season. The Predators do not have a player that has reached the double-digit goal mark on the season, with Filip Forsberg leading the way with nine. Overall, Nashville has seen the south side of the game total in 16 of their 25 games this season, the most in the NHL.

Chicago Blackhawks 2-8

To round out the Central Division low scoring trend is the Chicago Blackhawks who, like their division counterparts, have seen the under hit in eight of their last 10 games. The Blackhawks rank just ahead of Nashville in scoring, as they are averaging just 2.44 GF/G on the year and have scored four or more goals in just six of their 25 games this season. Chicago has yet to have a player eclipse the 20-point mark this season, with Connor Bedard leading the way with just 19. Center Ryan Donato has a team high of 10 goals and is the only Blackhawks player to record more than seven on the season. It’s been a tough start to the season for Chicago. Overall, the Blackhawks have hit the under in 15 of their 25 games, while seeing the south side of the game total in 10 of their 15 road games this season which is the most in the NHL.

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