NHL pre-Christmas betting preview: Packed schedule precedes 4-day break

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Although it started as bad as it could on Monday and the early part of Tuesday, we rebounded in a big way to close out the midweek slate on a 4-1 run, including three lucrative plus-money winners.

Let's carry that momentum into the break as we dive into a busy four days that features 34 games.

Four days without NHL hockey may sound depressing, but don't sleep on the world juniors - there's always money to be made.

Game betting

Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers (Friday)

Looking to head into the Christmas break strong, the Leafs travel to New York on Friday for the first game of a back-to-back. Toronto has been playing better of late, but the Rangers have been a profitable team in this spot. They're on a 6-1 run as underdogs of +130 or greater, and 9-5 on the season. They also won both games in November on at least three days' rest against the Predators and Capitals. Back the Rangers as a home 'dog on Friday.

Winnipeg Jets at Minnesota Wild (Saturday)

The Jets last won on the road on Nov. 29 and have been playing .500 hockey for the past month. Winnipeg has lost three consecutive and five of its last six in Minnesota. The Wild have really turned a corner, forcing their way up the standings, and have posted an impressive 11-5 record as favorites this season. Early lines suggest they will hover around -125 on Saturday and are a worthy bet as a result of the short price.

Montreal Canadiens at Edmonton Oilers (Saturday)

The Canadiens and Oilers are able to play a number of different styles. Both lean on a tight defensive game, relying on forward speed to hit back at teams, which is what we should expect on Saturday as goals should be limited. Take the under here at anything six or higher, or make it a half-play if it's at 5.5.

Nashville Predators at Boston Bruins (Saturday), Washington Capitals at Bruins (Monday)

Losers of seven of their last eight, the Bruins are in the midst of a December free fall and will be desperate to get into the break for a reset. Limping into the break is a genuine possibility as they host a pair of hot teams that have flourished in this spot.

The Predators are 5-1 as a 'dog this season and the Capitals are 7-1. No team has been better in this spot than these two. Nashville is starting to find its scoring touch, while the Capitals own the league's best road record at 15-3-1. Back them both to leave Boston with two points.

Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators (Monday)

Since the start of November, the Sabres are 2-12 playing outside of Buffalo (including a pair of games in Sweden). The status of top scorer Jack Eichel is up in the air, but regardless of whether he plays or not, I like the Senators in this spot. DJ Smith is doing an excellent job with this team and they're in pretty much every game they play. Ottawa is on an 8-1 run on home ice and are 3-0 this season as favorites. The Sens should be small favorites here, but either way they warrant a play.

Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights (Monday)

With the amount of firepower these teams have you can never be fully comfortable backing an under, but the way the Avalanche and Golden Knights have been playing of late is telling. Despite the offensive prowess, they're each relying on defense-first hockey. Colorado is on a 6-2 run to the under on the road, while Vegas is on an 8-1 run at home. It'd be rude not to play the under here.

Game props

Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes (Saturday)

In their last 10 trips to Carolina, just once have the Panthers managed more than two goals. Take their team total under 3.5 against the Hurricanes, or under 2.5 if you'd prefer not to lay the juice.

New Jersey Devils at Columbus Blue Jackets (Saturday)

The Blue Jackets are one of the most profitable under teams in hockey on home ice, with 13 of 19 games in Columbus staying under the total this season. The Devils have been held to just one goal in each of their last three trips there and will be playing in the second leg of a back-to-back, with travel. Their team total under 2.5 feels like a strong bet here.

Calgary Flames at Dallas Stars (Sunday)

In their last six trips to Dallas, the Flames have a grand total of 10 goals. The Stars have held teams to two goals or fewer (excluding the shootout) in 13 of 19 home games this season, and three goals or less in 18. Only the Capitals have gone into Dallas this year and scored four. It's another team total under, which we've been hitting at a high clip this season, this time with the Flames under 2.5, and 1.5 if you're up for the thrill.

Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Islanders (Monday)

Goals have typically been scarce in the opening frame when these two teams meet in New York, with the first-period under hitting in four straight and six of the last seven. The Islanders have hit it in four straight at home and we should expect that trend to continue here.

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.