The final slate of games for 2024 is an intriguing one, highlighted by the Outdoor Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago between the Blackhawks and Blues. Here are the top numbers to look for from a first period betting standpoint on Tuesday in the NHL.
Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals – 12:30 p.m. ET
The Bruins are riding a 5-0-2 stretch in the first period in the last seven games, while not allowing a goal in the opening 20 minutes six times.
The Capitals fell behind at Detroit, 4-1 after the first period in a 4-2 defeat on Sunday. Washington has not trailed after the first period in consecutive games all season.
New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs – 1:00 p.m. ET
Since November 27, the Islanders have compiled an ugly 2-10-3 mark in the first period. One of those victories came at Toronto on December 21 as New York jumped out for three goals in the first period of a 6-3 triumph.
The Leafs are on a 6-1 Over run in the first period in the past seven games, while allowing a first period goal in 11 consecutive contests.
Montreal Canadiens at Vegas Golden Knights – 3:00 p.m. ET
The Habs head west winners of five of their last six games, including an impressive road sweep of the Panthers and Lightning. Montreal finally led after the first period on the road for the first time this season at Tampa Bay following an 0-9-7 start.
The Golden Knights put their six-game winning streak on the line in spite of leading after the first period twice in the past eight contests.
St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks – 5:00 p.m. ET
For the first time this season, we’ll see an outdoor game in the NHL as the Blues and Blackhawks head to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field in Chicago.
There were four outdoor games last season in the NHL as the first period Over cashed in three of the four matchups. The Blackhawks are currently on a 4-0 Over run in the first but also own an 0-3-3 mark in the opening period in the last six games.
Philadelphia Flyers at San Jose Sharks – 8:00 p.m. ET
The Flyers have failed to lead following the first period in eight consecutive games, including each of the first three contests of their current road trip.
San Jose has allowed a first period goal in 11 straight contests, while leading only once through 20 minutes in this span.
Nashville Predators at Minnesota Wild – 8:00 p.m. ET
In spite of Monday’s shutout loss at Winnipeg, the Predators were scoreless with the Jets after the first period, marking the 21st time in 23 games that Nashville led or was tied through 20 minutes of action.
The Wild haven’t led through the first period in consecutive games since early November after taking a 1-0 advantage on Sunday over Ottawa in an eventual 3-1 defeat. Minnesota has led after the first period just twice in the last 15 contests, while leading twice in the past 16 games at XCel Energy Center since October through 20 minutes.
Carolina Hurricanes at Columbus Blue Jackets – 8:00 p.m. ET
These Metro division rivals cashed the first period Over in each of their first two meetings this season. Carolina is currently in an 0-4-1 first period funk the past five games, while getting shut out four times.
The Blue Jackets have trailed after the first period only four times in the last 18 games, while eclipsing the first period Over in 10 of the past 12 home contests.
New Jersey Devils at Anaheim Ducks – 8:00 p.m. ET
The Devils play a pair of games the next two days in southern California as they will face the Kings in the lone New Year’s Day contest. Prior to their trip to Los Angeles, New Jersey heads to Anaheim on Tuesday looking for their ninth first period Under in the last 10 games.
The Ducks haven’t led after the first period in 12 consecutive games, while failing to score a first period goal in six of the past home contests.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Detroit Red Wings – 8:00 p.m. ET
The Penguins haven’t trailed after the first period in the past four games, but also haven’t led after the first period in the last seven road contests.
The Red Wings are riding a 5-1 Over run the last six games in the opening period, while allowing a first period goal in each of these matchups.
Buffalo Sabres at Dallas Stars – 8:00 p.m. ET
Since dropping 13 consecutive games, the Sabres have come back to life with three straight victories. Also, Buffalo has dominated in the opening period recently by outscoring their opponents, 8-1.
Buffalo beat Dallas at home earlier this season, 4-2, while holding the Stars without a goal in the opening frame. The Stars have struggled in the first period of late by leading after 20 minutes once in the previous 10 contests.
Winnipeg Jets at Colorado Avalanche – 8:00 p.m. ET
Winnipeg travels to Colorado with no rest after shutting out Nashville last night. The Jets have not scored a first period goal in three games this season on the second end of a back-to-back.
The Avalanche are on a 6-1 Under run in the first period the last seven games, while looking to improve on a dreadful 2-11-4 mark in the opening frame at home this season.
Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames – 9:00 p.m. ET
The Canucks have dropped four of their past five games, with all three losses coming in overtime. Vancouver owns a 3-0-3 mark in the first period in the last six games, while finishing Under the total in seven of the past eight road contests in the first.
Calgary hasn’t allowed a first period goal in five of the last six games, while not trailing after the first period in five straight home contests.
Utah Hockey Club at Edmonton Oilers – 9:00 p.m. ET
For only the third time in 20 road games last night, Utah trailed after the first period at Seattle. The Hockey Club ventures to Edmonton tonight as Utah has allowed one first period goal in four games this season when playing with no rest.
The Oilers have played some wild first periods of late by going Over the total five times in the last six games, while allowing two goals four times in this span.
