Big trades, major injuries, streaking teams, and young guns cooking have the NHL and hockey betting world on fire. The same cannot be said for our performance last week that drags our overall win-loss record down to 18-25 on the year, but we're back at it as we get set for what is sure to be yet another Saturday stacked with hockey action. With a full 13-game board on tap we have plenty of options to choose from and to help you do just that, check out our top-three selections as well as favourite side bets below. As always, good luck and let's get this holiday season paper.

Updated 2025-26 Saturday Record (Daily Record Tracked/Posted @Flips_Picks):

Gold: 3-4
Silver: 4-3
Bronze: 5-2
Side Bets: 6-14

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Gold Selection
Nashville Predators @ Colorado Avalanche – Pick: Over 6.5 (+100)

It might not last, but for the first time since swinging for the fences and bringing in veteran names like Brady Skjei, Jonathan Marchessault, and Steven Stamkos two offseasons ago, Barry Trotz' team is finding a way to score goals. Sure, the Preds are still likely to remain a punching bag of the Western Conference, but right now things are clicking at the offensive end, resulting in wins and more importantly from a betting perspective, steady high-scoring games. The total has gone over the number in eight of Nashville's last nine games overall and 13 out of its last 19 against Colorado.

As for the awe-inspiring Avalanche, they are the top offensive unit in the NHL, pacing the league with a staggering 124 goals – that's 15 more than the red-hot Anaheim Ducks. These two teams just met earlier in the week and that matchup produced seven total goals and went over the number. Let's not over think this one. That happens again between Nashville and Colorado, good for our gold pick of the night.

Silver Selection
Edmonton Oilers @ Toronto Maple Leafs – Pick: Connor McDavid 2+ Points (+102)

This recurring pick might feel like it's a bit played out, especially with the Maple Leafs also being mentioned again in our top-three picks, but the fact remains that McDavid has been on another level and cashing player prop bets left and right. We called it last week when we discussed that a massive 9-4 win over the Seattle Kraken could have been the turning-point moment this group needed to light an offensive fire under the Oilers big guns and it has done just that. McJesus has been a man possessed, putting up five goals and seven assists in his last four games, including the tilt against Seattle. It also should be mentioned that Edmonton is shaking things up while trying to find an answer in the cage with the shipping out of Stuart Skinner and acquisition of Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, say what you will about Jarry, what this really ends up meaning for the Oilers' overall success and claim as a "legit" Cup contender, but for now, this move will definitely shoot some more energy into the lineup which could be a bad thing for Toronto.

The Maple Leafs' struggles have been well documented and as much as Dennis Hildeby deserves a lot of credit for rocking a .933 save percentage and 2.25 goals-against average this season in relief of the injured Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, Toronto has an unnerving tendency to allow goals in bunches – that's not good considering their opponent Saturday night. Not only are the Oilers playing their best offensive hockey of the season of late with 22 goals in four games but McDavid ALWAYS shows out against the Maple Leafs, especially in Toronto where he has two goals and nine assists in his last five trips to Hog Town. Lean to the Oilers here on the moneyline as well, but if you're looking for a great pick at what will likely be plus-money odds, McDavid is the move with two-plus points to cook the Maple Leafs and improve on his ridiculous overall career numbers against Toronto of 12 goals and 25 assists in 25 games. 

Bronze Selection
Vegas Golden Knights @ Columbus Blue Jackets – Pick: Golden Knights ML (-146)

Most hockey pundits have been waiting for this Columbus franchise to make a major step forward and finally establish itself as a true contender because of a roster and prospect pool teeming with elite-level talent. Spoiler alert, we're still waiting. Case in point: A really bad stretch of hockey over their last 10 games, as the Jackets have put up an ugly 2-4-4 record while sliding into a tie for second-last spot in the Eastern Conference only two points up on the haggard Buffalo Sabres. Columbus has been allowing goals at an alarming rate, currently sitting with the most goals-against this season in the conference with a crooked 109.

This poor stretch of play has Columbus' opponent Saturday in the Golden Knights licking their chops at an opportunity to stay hot, as the Knights are once again flexing their muscle as a legit Cup threat with wins in five of their last six games. Much like our first play above with the over in the Nashville-Colorado tilt, do not overthink this one in what is an excellent spot for the Knights to keep rolling. This is a classic case of two teams heading in different directions, pointing us on the path to the cash.

Side Bets
Edmonton Oilers @ Toronto Maple Leafs – Pick: Oilers ML (-125)
Detroit Red Wings @ Chicago Blackhawks – Pick: Red Wings ML (-205)
Calgary Flames @ L.A. Kings – Pick: Adrian Kempe 3+ SOG (-146)

Flip Livingstone is an NHL betting expert, fantasy writer, and daily podcast host with the Locked On Fantasy Hockey pod. He also has experience at outlets such as theScore NHL, Postmedia, and Hockey Night in Canada. You can follow him @Flips_Picks.