NHL Best Bets and Player Props for Friday, November 14th, 2025
Summary
Two NHL games present distinct betting opportunities. In Stockholm, the Pittsburgh Penguins are favored against the Nashville Predators on neutral ice. The prediction cites Pittsburgh’s superior goaltending and power play as key advantages, stripping Nashville of its typical home-ice benefit. Player props include Evgeni Malkin getting an assist and Nashville’s Swedish star Filip Forsberg scoring a goal in his home country.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks face the Carolina Hurricanes in a game expected to be high-scoring. Vancouver’s defense has been struggling, allowing over four goals per game recently, while Carolina boasts a potent home offense. With Vancouver’s starting goalie injured, the matchup favors a combined total exceeding 6.5 goals. Key players to watch are Carolina’s Sebastian Aho for multiple points and Kiefer Sherwood as a goal-scoring longshot.
The NHL heads to Stockholm on Friday for a Global Series matchup between the Penguins and Predators — neutral ice, no home crowd edge, just two teams squaring off overseas.
But for Erik Karlsson and Filip Forsberg, it’s a little different — two of Sweden’s biggest stars are suiting up in front of their home country.
Back in North America, the Hurricanes get a slumping Canucks squad riding a three-game skid without their starting goalie. Two different spots. Two clean betting angles.
1) Penguins ML (-118)
Edge in one line: Better goaltending, cleaner special teams, and neutral ice that strips Nashville of a home game boost to end a long losing skid.
Bet Breakdown:
Stockholm takes the crowd out of it. No last change, no home cooking—just two teams on equal footing, and right now, Pittsburgh’s footing is a hell of a lot steadier.
Start in the crease. Arturs Silovs has been rock-solid for the Penguins while Juuse Saros looks mortal. That’s not a small thing when you’re backing a favorite in a neutral-site showcase. The Preds need vintage Saros to steal this one; the Pens just need their guy to be competent.
Pittsburgh’s power play is heating up. Nashville’s penalty kill? Can’t stop much of anything right now. On a neutral sheet, structure travels—and the Pens’ structure is simply better right now. One power-play goal changes the entire complexion of a tight game, and Pittsburgh’s far more likely to cash that moment.
Nashville’s path to an upset exists—keep it five-on-five, score first, hope Saros finds his old form—but it’s a narrow window against a team that’s handled them comfortably in recent matchups. I’m taking the better team at a fair price; it’s that simple.
Player Props:
Evgeni Malkin Assist (Yes) — He’s been the setup man on Pittsburgh’s second line. If you catch this near even money or a small plus, it fits how the Pens are scoring right now.
Filip Forsberg Anytime Goal — If Nashville shows up, it runs through him. With family in the building and top-line minutes in his home country, +150 or better is worth a flyer.
2) Van/Car Over 6.5 Goals (+106)
Edge in one line: Vancouver’s shaky defense meets Carolina’s surging home offense in a matchup where recent trends point to goals in bunches.
Bet Breakdown:
Vancouver’s defense has been a sieve—allowing over 4 goals per game in their last six—and the Over has cashed in seven straight Canucks games. That’s not a fluke — it’s the result of defensive breakdowns happening night after night.
Carolina’s the wrong team to face when you’re bleeding like that. They score over 4 per game at home, control the puck, and generate high-danger chances in waves. With Shayne Gostisbehere back in the lineup, their offensive structure gets even sharper.
The goaltending matchup tilts this over, too. Kevin Lankinen is likely starting for Vancouver with Thatcher Demko out, and he’s been shaky—under .890 save percentage, almost 4 goals against per game. Even if Pyotr Kochetkov is solid for Carolina, Vancouver has enough offensive talent to chip in a few themselves when they’re trailing.
Add in Vancouver’s bottom-barrel penalty kill and Carolina’s ability to capitalize on special teams, and you’ve got a recipe for a 4-3 or 5-2 type of game.
Player Props:
Sebastian Aho Over 1.5 Points — He’s the engine of Carolina’s offense, logs heavy minutes, and gets involved in nearly every scoring play. With Vancouver struggling to contain top lines, Aho’s in a prime spot to grab at least 2 points, especially if this turns into a track meet.
Kiefer Sherwood Anytime Goal — High-risk dart throw, but he’s shooting nearly 30% right now. That percentage won’t hold, but if you like flyers on guys riding hot streaks, this one could cash early.
