<p>Join Daily Faceoff’s Nick Martin as he handicaps Friday’s best NHL bets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Matt Boldy Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+123) at Pinnacle</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/dallas-stars/line-combinations">Dallas Stars</a> will catch a huge break as Hart Trophy front-runner <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/wilds-kirill-kaprizov-out-day-to-day-with-lower-body-injury">Kirill Kaprizov</a> is sidelined due to injury. Additionally, the Wild will be without their two-way stalwart Joel Eriksson Ek. With the Wild’s top-six gutted for this important Central Division showdown, head coach John Hynes will have to rely heavily on a top line of <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/matt-boldy/30421">Matt Boldy</a>, <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/marco-rossi/29821">Marco Rossi</a>, and <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/mats-zuccarello/1065">Mats Zuccarello</a>. </p>



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<p>Boldy has not fared well in recent matchups playing alongside Frederick Gaudreau and Marcus Johansson, but increased usage, combined with playing alongside more talented playmakers, could help him bounce back, at least in terms of shot volume. While the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/minnesota-wild/line-combinations">Wild’s top power play unit</a> is typically quite fluid and does not feature overly static roles, Boldy should likely set-up on the half-wall where he will get more touches with Kaprizov sidelined.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="149"></div>



<p>Over the last two seasons, the Stars have been one of the most dominant defensive teams in the league, but they’ve been less effective at shot suppression recently. In December, they’ve allowed 26.09 shots against per 60 minutes. While Boldy’s recent game logs might not suggest it, at +123 odds, I believe we’re getting good value on him registering four or more shots in this matchup. Not only is he expected to play huge minutes, but he’ll also be skating alongside more offensively skilled players and he’s stepped up in this situation before.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">San Jose Sharks Moneyline (+211) at Pinnacle</h2>



<p>The consensus view on the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/san-jose-sharks/line-combinations">San Jose Sharks</a> this season is that their games have been far more competitive compared to last year, when they finished with a historically bad goal differential of -150. Under new head coach Ryan Warsofsky, the team has played with much more purpose.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="141"></div>



<p>While their dreadful 2-7-1 record in December doesn’t suggest significant improvement over the 2023-24 season, a deeper look into their recent performances suggests that now might be a good time to buy. The Sharks are being priced as a pure cellar-dweller in their first game back from the holiday break.</p>



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<p>Of the Sharks’ ten games this month, eight have been versus teams that rank in the league’s top-third in points percentage. San Jose only played two games versus softer opponents: the St. Louis Blues (4-3 win in regulation), and the red-hot Utah Hockey Club (4-3 loss in regulation). San Jose held an expected goal share of 46.14% in those matchups, which is much better than one would expect considering the strength of competition faced. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/vegas-golden-knights/line-combinations">Vegas</a>, meanwhile, has been one of the hottest teams in the league, as it enters this matchup on a four-game winning streak, and holds a record of 8-2-0 over the last ten games. However, the Golden Knights’ underlying results are slightly less dominant, with an expected goal share of 53.43 percent.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="178"></div>



<p>The Sharks have looked more competitive in recent matchups than their record suggests, and with this game being the first back from the holiday break, it adds another layer of volatility. With that in mind, I see value in backing a scrappy Sharks side to surprise the red-hot Golden Knights at +211 moneyline odds on Friday.</p>



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