Let's end the year 2025 on a high note, because I've singled out two NHL Best Bets that I see us cashing out on.
For New Year's Eve, the game between the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks caught my eye, as did the game between the red-hot Buffalo Sabres and the powerhouse Dallas Stars.
Let's dive into my NHL predictions and picks for Wednesday, December 31.
NHL Best Bets, Wednesday, December 31
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 4:00 p.m. | |
  | 8:00 p.m. | |
Wild vs. Sharks
The Minnesota Wild have been one of, if not the most exciting team in the NHL since acquiring Quinn Hughes.
The Wild have had a strong start to their current road trip, picking up wins in Winnipeg and Las Vegas, but they're taking on a San Jose Sharks team that is on a two-game winning streak of their own since returning from Christmas.
The Sharks had no business beating the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night, but they were able to pull it off thanks to a three-point night from Macklin Celebrini (1 goal, 2 assists). Celebrini is a massive reason as to why the Sharks are currently sitting in a playoff spot. He's third in the NHL in points, but he will have his work cut out for him against a really strong Wild team.
Even before Minnesota picked up Hughes, it was a strong defensive team, but after acquiring him, its defensive numbers have been excellent.
Since December 14th, the Wild have been the sixth-best defensive group in the league, allowing just 2.38 goals against per game, but at 5-on-5, they're only surrendering 9.95 high-danger chances against per 60, which is fifth best in the NHL in that span. Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt have both been excellent in goal, Gustavsson being the better of the two.
A starter hasn't been announced at the time of writing this, but they've basically been splitting the net, so it can be implied that Wallstedt will get the nod in this game.
Wallstedt is 4-2-0 in his last six starts while skating to a .919 save percentage and a 2.54 goals against average. The Sharks' goaltending has been nowhere close to as good as Minnesota's lately.
Yaroslav Askarov has gotten the last three starts and will most likely get the start again in this game. In his last five starts, he has gone 3-2-0, but he has a .884 save percentage and a 4.03 goals against average.
Not only has Minnesota defended well, but it has also been filling the net. The Wild have been the second-highest scoring team in the NHL since acquiring Hughes, scoring 4.13 goals per game with their power play clicking at a 27.3% success rate. Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy and Hughes have combined for 32 points over their last eight games.
This game should be all Minnesota.
Pick: Wild to Win in Regulation (3-Way ML)
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Sabres vs. Stars
The Buffalo Sabres continue to find new ways to win, having won nine straight games.
They're looking to extend that win streak to double-digits as they get set to take on the Dallas Stars in the state of Texas. The Sabres might be getting the Stars at a good moment, considering Dallas has dropped its last two games since coming back from the break.
Buffalo's goaltending has been beyond outstanding during this win streak. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is likely to get the start in this game, and during the streak, he is a perfect 2-0-0 while boasting a .960 save percentage with a 1.00 goals against average.
Over this span, as a team, the Sabres have a +14 goal differential and have the best goals against average in the NHL, giving up just 1.89 goals against. Not only are the goalies playing well, but the team has been defending well in front of them.
At 5-on-5, the Sabres have a seventh-best high-danger chances against per 60 (10.4), while their penalty kill has been successful at an 81.2% rate.
As good as the Sabres have been defensively, it will be a challenge for them to slow down a loaded Stars offense. Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston have been on a tear, combining for 26 points in the team's last nine games.
That said, the Sabres have had a great mix of scoring throughout their lineup. They have 10 players with 5+ points during the win streak.
The Sabres' win streak hasn't been as pretty as a Picasso, but it's hard to bet against a team that has been continuously finding different ways to win. Not only are they keeping the puck out of their own net, but they're also scoring 3.44 goals per game (10th most).
I'm riding the hot hand with Buffalo.
Pick: Buffalo Sabres ML
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