NHL Picks, Preview and Best Bets – Friday, April 12

As the regular season approaches its climax, there is still plenty to be decided in the playoff picture. Below we preview a handful of meetings from Friday’s five-game slate, along with NHL picks and best bets.

NHL Picks – Friday April 12

• Anaheim Ducks to Win vs Calgary Flames @ +195
• Vegas Golden Knights to Win vs Minnesota Wild @ -103

Back both of Friday’s NHL picks as a double with Lucky Block at odds of +481

NHL Predictions and Best Bets – April 12

Ducks to Win vs Flames

Our predictions for Friday begin in California, as Anaheim welcome Calgary. Although most bettor’s preference would be for a higher stakes match-up given these two are both out of the playoff race, there is eye-catching value in the Ducks to win here.

Sportsbooks have listed Anaheim as underdogs at their peril, although at a slightly shorter price than the previous head-to-head between these two teams.

Two victories in their last four includes a road victory against the Flames, and although there is 18 points separating them in the Pacific Division, that 5-3 win in Calgary at the beginning of April actually showed them to be much closer in quality.

The Ducks are too tantalising not to take in this spot, particularly with the Flames coming into Friday with no rest having played three games in four days.

Golden Knights to Win vs Minnesota Wild

Las Vegas currently holds the second wild-card spot, but their grasp on a shot at the postseason is becoming increasingly tenuous after losing three straight games.

The defending champions simply must win on Friday if they are to avoid missing out on the playoffs, and we are expecting them to bounce back with a victory here.

It is actually their opponent’s shortcomings that have allowed them space to breathe, with Minnesota Wild slipping out of contention in recent weeks.

It certainly helps that the Golden Knights are returning to Nevada, with all three of those aforementioned losses coming on the road. For reference, their record at home stands at 21-11-2.

They are rightly favoured in Lucky Block’s latest NHL odds, and their strong home form is compounded by the fact Wild have lost three of their last four games, and two of their last three road games.

They have also allowed 11 goals and scored only eight in their last three, which suggests Vegas are primed for a victory on Friday to continue on their path to the postseason.

NHL Schedule – Friday April 12