Our top picks start in a Wednesday game, when on fire Boston heads to Colorado to take on the defending champs. Also on Wednesday, Vegas hosts the New York Rangers in what should be an incredible match. On Friday, it’s Wild at Oilers before Saturday’s all-Canadian throw down between the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs. See below for analysis, and free picks for six of this week’s best NHL matchups.

Top NHL Betting Picks of the Week (December 5th, 2022)

1. @NHLBruins ????
2. @NJDevils ????
3. @TBLightning ⚡️

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— theScore (@theScore) December 5, 2022

Boston Bruins vs. Colorado Avalanche

• When: Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 9:00 PM ET
• Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• TV: ALT, NESN
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (Bruins) // Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM (Avalanche)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

Heading into the week, no team, we mean no team is as hot as the Boston Bruins. The Bruins are 20-3 straight up and 18-5 versus the puck line.

Boston has won 9-of-10. Not only that, but Boston is 6-3 in away games. So although the Bruins face the defending Stanley Cup titlists on Wednesday, and they face them on the road, Boston is impossible to go against.

NHL Betting Pick: Boston Bruins

New York Rangers vs. Vegas Golden Knights

• When: Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 10:00 PM ET
• Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
• TV: TNT, TVAS, MSGSN
• Radio: 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio (Rangers) // KKGK 98.9 FM (Golden Knights)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

The Bruins take on the Golden Knights at home on Monday night. Boston could soften up Vegas for the New York Rangers.

But the Rangers have yet to live up to the preseason billing. NYR is 11-10-4-1. On Dec. 3, the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Although they might be tired, Vegas gets the win.

NHL Betting Pick: Vegas Golden Knights

Minnesota Wild vs. Edmonton Oilers

• When: Friday, December 9, 2022, 9:00 PM ET
• Where: Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
• TV: SN1, BSNX, BSWIX
• Radio: KFAN FM 100.3 (Wild) // 630 CHED (Oilers)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

Based on Minnesota’s record, 13-9-1-1, it doesn’t seem like they’re dominating and overall, they aren’t. The Wild have sure been hot lately, though. Heading into this week, Minnesota is 6-1 straight up in their last 7.

Edmonton has won 4-of-5. This game should be tight. In the last head-to-head, Minnesota beat Edmonton 5-3. So the road team gets the nod.

NHL Betting Pick: Minnesota Wild

Calgary Flames vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

• When: Saturday, December 10, 2022, 7:00 PM ET
• Where: Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
• TV: CBC, SNO, SNW, SNP
• Radio: KFAN FM 100.3 (Wild) // 630 CHED (Oilers)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

A game over .500, Calgary enters the week in fifth place in the Pacific Division. The Flames average 2.9 goals while allowing 3.1.

Calgary allowing more goals than they average suggests Toronto covers the puck line in this. The Maple Leafs lost their last game but that was versus Tampa Bay. Toronto had won 5 straight before facing the Lightning. Expect the Leafs to trounce the Flames by at least 2 goals.

NHL Betting Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders

• When: Saturday, December 10, 2022, 7:30 PM ET
• Where: UBS Arena, Elmont, NY
• TV: MSGSN, BSSO
• Radio: 99.9 The Fan (Hurricanes) // 630 CHED (Islanders)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

The Islanders are playing decent hockey. NYI has a 16-10 record at the start of the week. In addition, the Islanders won the last head-to-head by a 6-2 score. The match happened on Oct. 28, so it wasn’t that long ago.

Carolina is hot. Not counting their Tuesday match versus Anaheim, the Hurricanes have won 5 straight. Give the road team a chance.

NHL Betting Pick: Carolina Hurricanes

Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues

• When: Sunday, December 11, 2022, 3:00 PM ET
• Where: UBS Arena, Elmont, NY
• TV: ESPN, SN360, TVAS
• Radio: Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM (Avalanche) // KSMO 1340 AM (Blues)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

One of hockey’s most heated rivalries resumes on Sunday when the Avs head to St. Louis to take on the Blues. As of Dec. 4, Colorado is in fourth place in the Central Division.

The Avs are a spot ahead of the Blues. Colorado is at Philadelphia, take on Boston and the New York Rangers before this Sunday tilt versus St. Louis.

Not only should Colorado be tired, but St. Louis won the last head-to-head 3-2. The Blues grab the win.

NHL Betting Pick: St. Louis Blues

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READ MORE: Top NHL Betting Picks of the Week – December 12th, 2022