Today’s NHL Prop Picks and Best Bets - Friday, December 22

It’s a bit of a slim slate tonight with just four games on the docket, but we won’t be short on star power or NHL player props with skaters like Connor McDavid, Artemi Panarin, and Connor Bedard set to take the ice.

McDavid’s Edmonton Oilers and Panarin’s New York Rangers will be going head-to-head as they look to continue their respective hot streaks, while Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks will aim to have a strong showing against the Montreal Canadiens as rare NHL odds favorites.

Without further ado, let’s dig into my free NHL picks for Friday, December 22.

NHL prop picks and best bets for December 22

  • Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points (+100 at Bet99)
  • Artemi Panarin Over 3.5 shots (-105 at Bet99)
  • Connor Bedard Over 3.5 shots (+105 at Bet99)

Picks made on December 22 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Read full analysis of each pick.

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Today’s NHL prop picks and best bets

Prop bet #1: McDavid can't be contained

Connor McDavid continued his incredible run since mid-November, racking up another goal and assist against the Devils on Thursday en route to a 6-3 win for the Edmonton Oilers. Since the start of a 12-Game point streak on Nov. 20, the Oilers captain has amassed 30 points in 14 Games, tied with Nikita Kucherov for the most in the NHL over that span.

McDavid has notched 10 multi-point outings during that stretch, including six in his last eight games, and I’ll look for him to pick up another two points against the Rangers for my first player prop of the night.

Edmonton’s victory last night snapped a three-Game skid, but the Oilers were on a tear just before that, winning eight straight contests. Edmonton is averaging a league-leading 4.17 goals per Game since that winning streak began on Nov. 24, with McDavid factoring on 27 of their 50 goals through that span.

The Rangers defense has generally been tough to crack as they’re giving up just 2.70 goals against per game — the ninth-best mark in the NHL — but if anyone can do it, it’s McDavid.

Connor McDavid prop: Over 1.5 points (+100 at Bet99)

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Prop bet #2: Artemi is accurate

On the other side of the ice, Artemi Panarin will look to continue his own hot streak as he’s found the score sheet in all 13 games played at Madison Square Garden to start the season. Not only has Panarin been racking up points at an impressive pace, but he’s also been firing shots on net at an insane rate.

The New York Rangers star has 126 shots on net this season — tied for seventh-most in the league while sitting 46 above Chris Kreider, who ranks second on the team. Panarin’s last two games in particular have been a shooting clinic as he notched a season-high 10 shots against the Bruins on Saturday and then followed up with eight more against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

After averaging 4.10 shots per game in November, Panarin has bumped that number up to a whopping 4.89 in December, so I like the Artemi Panarin odds for him to cash the Over on 3.5 shots tonight.

Artemi Panarin prop: Over 3.5 shots (-105 at Bet99)

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Prop bet #3: Bedard hampers Habs

It’s been a rough stretch for the Chicago Blackhawks of late, who have just three wins in their last 11 contests, but Connor Bedard continues to impress during his rookie campaign. The first overall pick has been all over the score sheet, notching multiple points in back-to-back games and seven points over his last five outings.

Bedard has not been afraid to shoot the puck either, recording at least five shots on net in each of his last two outings and three of his last five Games. He leads Chicago with 100 shots this season — 38 more than anyone else on the team. He’ll be facing the Canadiens tonight, who rank as one of the worst defensive clubs in the NHL by most metrics.

Montreal is giving up 34 shots per game this season — the fourth-most in the NHL — and 64 shot attempts per game, which also ranks fourth-worst. The Habs have allowed at least 30 shots in eight of their last nine games, so Bedard should have plenty of opportunity to rack up at least four shots on net tonight.

Connor Bedard prop: Over 3.5 shots (+105 at Bet99)

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