Table of Contents
Tuesday night in the NHL delivered a mix of shootout thrillers, blowouts, and record-setting performances. From Alex Ovechkin continuing his climb into hockey immortality to Jake Oettinger recording another shutout, fans and bettors alike were treated to a dynamic set of matchups. With playoff races intensifying and teams starting to find their mid-season rhythm, now is the perfect time to stay sharp with expert analysis and strategic betting insights.
Check out SportsHub’s NHL service plays, browse the leaderboard of top handicappers, and level up your strategy with key NHL handicapping stats.
Canadiens 3, Jets 2 (SO)
Cole Caufield’s shootout winner gave the Montreal Canadiens a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in a defensive duel at home. Caufield, who also recorded an assist, was the only player to score in the shootout. Jakub Dobes turned aside 29 shots and added two clutch shootout stops, with a little help from the post to seal it.
Juraj Slafkovsky and Oliver Kapanen scored in regulation for Montreal, while the Jets responded with goals from Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. Eric Comrie was solid with 29 saves but couldn’t outlast Dobes in the final phase. Winnipeg has now dropped six of its last seven.
Stars 3, Devils 0
Jake Oettinger earned his 14th career shutout with a flawless 30-save performance as the Dallas Stars blanked the New Jersey Devils. Dallas extended their point streak to eight games behind goals from Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, and Mikko Rantanen.
The Devils struggled offensively for the third straight game. Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves in the loss. Veteran Brenden Dillon was honored pregame for his 1,000th career NHL appearance.
Handicappers’ Recap:
Want to know who’s crushing the NHL board? Check the SportsHub leaderboard to see which expert handicappers are dominating the ice. You can also access free picks and get smart with our computer-generated selections to complement your daily strategy.
Looking to bet hockey with more precision? Tap into our NHL handicapping tips and live betting guides to gain the edge you need.
Mammoth 7, Ducks 0
The Utah Mammoth ended a four-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, routing the Anaheim Ducks 7-0. Lawson Crouse and Dylan Guenther struck early, and Karel Vejmelka recorded a 27-save shutout.
JJ Peterka posted two goals and two assists, while Clayton Keller chipped in a goal and two helpers. Anaheim, battling injuries in the crease, started Ville Husso, who gave up four goals on 21 shots. Vyacheslav Buteyets made his NHL debut and allowed three goals in the third.
Flyers 5, Sabres 2
Travis Konecny led the charge with a goal and assist as the Philadelphia Flyers rolled past the Buffalo Sabres. Philadelphia got balanced scoring with Noah Cates, Bobby Brink, Trevor Zegras, and Owen Tippett all lighting the lamp. Samuel Ersson finished with 27 saves.
Buffalo’s Jason Zucker and Bowen Byram scored but couldn’t extend the team’s win streak to three. Colten Ellis made 30 saves in the loss.
Capitals 7, Sharks 1
Alex Ovechkin and Ryan Leonard each netted two goals as the Washington Capitals thrashed the San Jose Sharks. Ovechkin notched his 181st career multi-goal game, and Leonard added two assists to complete a four-point night. Washington has now won six straight.
Pavol Regenda scored the lone goal for San Jose. Yaroslav Askarov struggled in net, giving up four goals on 12 shots before being replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic, who stopped 15 of 18.
FAQ: NHL Betting Recap
Where can I get expert NHL picks?
Visit our Hockey Picks Hub for expert selections, including premium and free picks.
Who had the best performance on Dec. 5?
Jake Oettinger’s 30-save shutout and Alex Ovechkin’s two-goal game were the standout efforts of the night.
How can I bet smarter on NHL games?
Use our NHL betting strategies guide for smarter stat-based approaches to daily wagering.
Can I get picks for other sports too?
Yes! Explore our top picks for football, basketball, baseball, and soccer.
Still building your betting foundation?
Start here or sign up now to access the most powerful tools in the game.
