Guess who’s back?
After a few-year hiatus, I’ve returned to The Action Network and every Thursday, I plan to dish out my NHL best bets.
We have a hefty slate tonight with a few intriguing matchups, but there are two that really stand out to me tonight, featuring the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Seattle Kraken and Ottawa Senators vs Anaheim Ducks. So let’s dive into it.
Here are my NHL predictions and picks for Thursday, November 20.
Jonny Lazarus' NHL Best Bets for Thursday, November 20
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 10:00 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Kraken vs. Blackhawks
Are the Chicago Blackhawks…good?
The Blackhawks have had an incredible month of November. They've skated to a record of 5-2-1, but have won five of their last six games and Connor Bedard has been one of the best players in the entire NHL.
Bedard and the Blackhawks are set to host the Seattle Kraken tonight, who have come back down to earth a bit after having a strong start to the season.
Special teams will play a big factor in this game. Chicago has gone two straight games without converting on the man-advantage, but through November, they've had one of the most successful power play units, which has been the fourth best in the league in that span.
Over its past eight games, Chicago's power play is converting at a 35% clip, after going just 18.9% through the first month of the season. Needless to say, there have been drastic improvements.
Seattle has given up a goal on the penalty kill in seven straight games and is at a 75.9% success rate in November, which is just slightly below average. Seattle's power play has converted at a 20% clip in November thus far, so it's not exactly lighting up the scoresheet.
To me, this looks like a perfect game for the Blackhawks to capitalize once again on the man-advantage and that can be the difference in the outcome of the game.
Spencer Knight is expected to get the nod for the Blackhawks, and what a perfect fit he's been to their group. Over his last five starts, Knight is 3-0-2 with a .938 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average. He also has the league's best goals saved above expected, boasting a +14.7 rating.
Chicago has won three of its last four games at home, while the Kraken have been subpar on the road, skating to a record of 3-4-2 as visitors.
The Blackhawks should be able to keep things rolling at home tonight.
Pick: Blackhawks ML -110
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Senators vs. Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are set to play the second leg of a back-to-back tonight and their third game in four nights. They're hosting a well-rested Ottawa Senators team, who haven't played since November 15th.
That said, the Ducks are rolling right now, and although fatigue could be a factor, with the way this team is playing, it's hard not to love them as a home dog.
Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson have been on absolute fire for the Ducks. The two have combined for 25 points over their last 10 games, Gauthier with six goals and seven assists, while Carlsson has added six goals with six helpers of his own.
The Ducks have been the fifth-highest scoring team through November, averaging 3.70 goals per game over the course of 10 games.
Anaheim has been a much more dangerous team at even-strength, generating the fifth most high-danger chances per 60 minutes at even-strength, averaging 12.78 per game, while the Senators are quite the opposite. Ottawa actually ranks 27th in this category, generating just 9.24 high-danger chances at even-strength.
Petr Mrazek is the expected starter for Anaheim tonight, and his last two starts were money. Mrazek has boasted a .941 save percentage and a 1.96 goals against average in his two starts in November.
Ottawa has struggled to score goals this month. In seven games, it is averaging just 2.71 goals per game, and its power play has been abysmal as it's converted at just 6.7%. Not only that, the Sens have one power play goal in their last nine games (23 attempts).
Anaheim is legit, and getting it as an underdog on home ice is too good to pass up.
Pick: Ducks ML +105
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