It's a light NHL schedule on Friday, with just four games on the docket. Below, we're going to focus on two matchups in particular: The Detroit Red Wings vs the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Vegas Golden Knights vs the Seattle Kraken. The 7-5-2 Maple Leafs are sitting three points ahead of the 6-5-1 Red Wings in the Atlantic Division standings. In the Pacific Division, first-place Vegas has won two in a row. Meanwhile, sixth-place Seattle is in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
Before we take a deeper dive into Thursday's NHL picks and best bets, why not check out our handy NHL betting guide to see where the best NHL betting odds and picks are located, including the latest props and futures wagering. As well, these online sportsbook reviews will help you determine which betting site is the one that's going to service your NHL betting needs on a comprehensive basis. And if you're someone who is living life on the move, these are the best sports betting apps that can help you get your NHL bets down in the midst of your busy schedule.
Red Wings vs Maple Leafs Odds & Prediction
 | Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | +1.5 (+153) | +153 | O 6.5 (+105) |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -1.5 (+137) | -177 | U 6.5 (-125) |
The Leafs have been a much more successful team at home (5-2) than on the road (2-3-2). Detroit, though, is 3-2 away from home. The Red Wings have won two in a row and allowed just one goal against in each victory.
It's still to be determined if Toronto captain Auston Matthews will miss his second straight game due to an upper-body injury. He has scored 17 goals in 24 games against Detroit, so he'll be missed. On the other hand, the Leafs are a solid 36-19-2 without Matthews in the lineup.
Craig Berube on whether Auston Matthews will play this weekend: “That’s to be determined still. It’s hard for me to answer that question knowing what I know right now with him today.”
Matthews did not practise or skate today.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) November 7, 2024
William Nylander is leading the Maple Leafs and the NHL with 10 goals. Captain Dylan Larkin has eight goals for the Red Wings, including an NHL-leading five power-play goals. Lucas Raymond is leading the Red Wings in scoring with 12 points, 11 of which are assists.
Looking into the NHL picks, goalie Anthony Stolarz has been responsible for five of Toronto's seven victories. Veteran Cam Talbot is 4-1-1 for Detroit with a shutout, 2.45 GAA and .929 save percentage. He's 6-3-1 all-time against the Maple Leafs with a 2.49 GAA and .917 save percentage.
Red Wings Giving Up Too Many Shots
The Red Wings have won four of five from the Maple Leafs. The only loss during that span was last season's meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, part of the NHL Global Series. Detroit is 3-0 straight up in the club's last three tips to the Scotiabank Centre. Prior to that, though, Toronto had won 10 in a row at home over the Red Wings.
Toronto blanked the Boston Bruins 4-0 in the club's last game, ending a two-game (0-1-1) skid. Detroit has been outshot in nine successive games, but are 5-3-1 in that span. Only Anaheim (35.3) is surrendering more shots on goal per game in the NHL than the Red Wings (33.7).
That's a losing formula against a high-octane team such as the Maple Leafs. If Detroit is enabling Toronto to dominate the shot clock and zone time, the outcome won't be positive for the Red Wings. Take the home team in the moneyline in the Friday NHL picks.
Golden Knights vs Kraken Odds & Prediction
| Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | -1.5 (+178) | -140 | O 6.0 (-120) |
| Seattle Kraken | +1.5 (-215) | +120 | U 6.0 (EVEN) |
This was to be the season that the Vegas Golden Knights were finally going to come crashing down to earth. Stanley Cup champions just two seasons ago, last season's campaign saw Vegas barely making the postseason and then washing out of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the opening round.
That was supposed to be a harbinger of things to come. Instead, Vegas has risen right back to the club's accustomed role. The Golden Knights are sitting atop the Pacific Division standings.
Vegas has won six of the past seven games. The Golden Knights opened this brief two-game road swing with a solid 4-2 win against the reigning Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. During the club's current four-game slide, Seattle has been shutout twice and was held to one goal by Toronto.
Mark Stone seals the game with an empty net goal as the @GoldenKnights win their first road game of the season. pic.twitter.com/nQBxj5zRDu
— Golden Knights Radio (@VGKRadioNetwork) November 7, 2024
Golden Knights captain Mark Stone has seven points over his past five games. He's tied for fourth in the NHL in scoring with 21 points. Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour has five points in the past four games, including his first career NHL hat-trick.
The Golden Knights own the NHL's No. 3 power play unit, clicking at a 33.3% efficiency rate. Seattle, meanwhile, is 18th on the penalty kill at 77.8%. Overall, Vegas is second in the NHL with a goals per game average of 4.46. Seattle (2.79) ranks 21st in this category, as well as 19th (3.21) in goals against per game.
Golden Knights Golden In Seattle
Vegas has won five of six from the Kraken. The Golden Knights have proven especially dominant in road games against Seattle. Vegas is 5-1 at Seattle. The only loss came in 2024 when the two clubs met outdoors at T-Mobile Park in the NHL's Winter Classic.
Look for the Golden Knights to again be golden in the Emerald City. Take Vegas in the moneyline in the Friday NHL picks.
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