Covid is back, which is one of the reasons the National Hockey League shows so many postponed games this week. The NHL has gone back to daily testing. So even though the Omnicron variant doesn’t appear to be as dangerous as the Delta variant, the NHL is taking precautions. With that being written, there are plenty of games this week to handicap. Check out the top 6 matchups in the NHL to keep on your hockey radar.

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Mike Harrington's NHL power rankings https://t.co/z0DoHdOG3V

— The Buffalo News (@TheBuffaloNews) December 18, 2021

Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers

• When: Tuesday, December 21st, 2021. 7:00pm ET
• Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• TV: Hulu
• Radio: WJFK 106.7 FM (Capitals) // 97.5 FM The Fanatic (Flyers)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

The Flyers beat the Caps in the last head-to-head. Not only did the Flyers win, but Philadelphia heads into the week having won 4-of-5 with the lone loss being a shootout contest versus Montreal

The Kings beat the Caps 3-2 on Dec. 19. In the match before, D.C. dusted Winnipeg 5-2. But the Caps are likely to play this without Nicklas Backstrom or Evgeni Kuznetsov, which should give the Flyers the edge.

NHL Betting Pick: Flyers

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vegas Golden Knights

• When: Tuesday, December 21st, 2021. 10:00pm ET
• Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
• TV: SN360, SNE, SNO, SNW, TVAS, ATTSN-RM, BSSUN
• Radio: AM 970 WFLA (Lightning) // FOX Sports 98.9 FM (Golden Knights)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

The Lightning are on fire. Tampa has gone 7-1 SU in their last 4. The scorching Lightning also show few injuries, which means they should challenge the home ice Golden Knights. Mark Stone is out for Vegas. The Knights are hotter than Tampa, though, having won their last 5. But the last 2 victories were in shootouts. Give Tampa the edge.

NHL Betting Pick: Lightning

Arizona Coyotes vs. Seattle Kraken

• When: Tuesday, December 21st, 2021. 10:00pm ET
• Where: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
• TV: Hulu
• Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Coyotes) // 950 KJR AM (Kraken)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

Zona is 6-21-0-2. The record is worse than Seattle’s. The expansion Kraken are 10-17-2-1. Seattle beat San Jose 3-1 on Dec. 14. The Kraken followed up the victory with losses to Anaheim and the Oilers. Seattle can’t blow games versus terrible opponents like the Coyotes. The Kraken should prevail with a victory.

NHL Betting Pick: Kraken

Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders

• When: Thursday, December 23rd, 2021. 7:30pm ET
• Where: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
• TV: MSG+, NBCSWA
• Radio: WJFK 106.7 FM (Capitals) // WRHU 88.7 FM (Islanders)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

Neither Backstrom nor Kuznetsov should play on Thursday. But although both players won’t strap on the skates, it’s difficult seeing the Caps losing 2 straight. The New York Islanders should be without points leader Mathew Barzal. The Islanders average just 2.2 goals, which ranks thirtieth in the league. As long as Alex Ovechkin steps onto the ice, the 8-12-3-3 Islanders lose another.

NHL Betting Pick: Islanders

Dallas Stars vs. Chicago Blackhawks

• When: Thursday, December 23rd, 2021. 8:30pm ET
• Where: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
• TV: NBCSCH, BSSW+
• Radio: Sportsradio 96.7 FM (Stars) // WGN Radio 720 (Blackhawks)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

This is a rematch of a fantastic Dec. 18 game that the Stars won 4-3. The contest went into overtime. Heading into the week, the Stars have a better record. Dallas will have a shot to make it two in a row, but this happens on Chicago’s ice. So backing Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks to grab the win makes sense.

NHL Betting Pick: Blackhawks

Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights

• When: Thursday, December 23rd, 2021. 10:00pm ET
• Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
• TV: ATTSN-RM, BSW
• Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK (Kings) // FOX Sports 98.9 FM (Golden Knights)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: TBA

Vegas is 8-2 in their last 10 matches. The offense is hot, averaging 3.5 goals per. But the last time the Golden Knights faced the Kings, Los Angeles blasted Vegas 6-2. Don’t expect an LAK repeat performance. Los Angeles is a decent hockey team, they’ve got a 14-11-4-1 record, but Vegas is playing too well to drop two straight this week. Tampa beats the Golden Knights on Tuesday. Vegas grabs the victory against the Kings on Thursday.

NHL Betting Pick: Golden Knights

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READ MORE: Top NHL Betting Picks of the Week (December 27th, 2021)