The calendar says it’s Saturday, and that means a long day of couch-sitting and NHL underdog-picking. Unfortunately, Friday night’s entry went one out of three, and the season’s successful pick rate dipped down to 73%. But fear not because the 13-game slate tonight in the NHL is the antidote for a banger. So pour yourself a drink, forget about what could have been, and focus on what will be. I’d also encourage you to remember Wedding Crashers Rule 76, “no excuses, play like a champion.” Here are my three best NHL Underdog Fantasy Picks for December 16.
The Quick Pick: Daily NHL Underdog Fantasy Pick ’em Picks for December 16
Mikko Rantanen Higher Than 0.5 Assists
The Colorado Avalanche really look like a buzzsaw here in 2023. So it’s not an accident that Mikko Rantanen has a monster 14 goals and 23 assists a season. Coming into Saturday’s matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, Rantanen has four assists and six points in his last two games.
And when it comes to assists this season, I’ve noticed a bit of a trend on Mikko. He’s registering assists in bunches, with six in a five-game stretch and five in a three-game stretch, respectively. So, let’s hope Mom packed that apple in your lunch because we’ll need one with our first NHL Underdog entry. Go ahead and take Mikko Rantanen Higher Than 0.5 Assists against Winnipeg.
JJ Peterka Higher Than 0.5 Points
Yesterday I was confident that the Sabres would get boatraced in Vegas, but they actually went and inexplicably won 5-2. So for tonight’s matchup against the Arizona Coyotes, we’re going to be buying what they’re selling. 21-year-old German JJ Peterka has manufactured an outstanding 12 goals and 10 assists in 2023.
Coming into Saturday, Peterka has tallied four points across his last six games. And let us not forget that he netted a goal against these same Coyotes just five days ago in Buffalo.
Our second NHL Underdog entry on Saturday needs that expert German engineering I’ve always been told about. Let’s press the Higher Than 0.5 Points on JJ Peterka out in the desert against the Coyotes.
Adrian Kempe Higher Than 0.5 Assists (1.25x Odds)
Our third NHL Underdog pick on Saturday will be playing in the nightcap out West in Seattle. Except, he’ll be wearing an LA Kings jersey and go by the name of Adrian Kempe. So far in 2023, Kempe has tallied nine goals and added 17 assists. The Swedish winger has a history of assists against the Kraken, with four across seven in the last two seasons.
He also has a stellar five assists in just his last six contests. With some extra spice on Mr. Kempe, let’s ask the Swedish chef to whip us up a banger. Press the Higher Than 0.5 Assists on Adrian Kempe at 1.25x odds in Seattle on Saturday!
Best Ways to Build Your Saturday Card
-Play all three players together using the “Standard” option on Underdog for a 7.5x winner
-Play all three players together using the “Insured” option on Underdog for a chance at a 3.75x winner for all three, or a 1.25x winner for getting two out of three.
