NHL best bets and expert picks
There are 13 games across the NHL on this fine Saturday, and I want to take a different approach today.
Instead of focusing on the matchups, I’m going to make today about some props that I like. I’ve gone away from prop plays as of late, but sometimes, these can be both fun and successful.
Let’s take a look at some of the players I’m focusing on.
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NY Rangers at Nashville (+120, 6)
The New York Rangers captain, Jacob Trouba, has been an absolute menace this season.
He is currently second in the league in blocked shots with 75, but Brayden McNabb (79) has played in three more games. Over the course of the last seven games, Trouba has recorded at least three blocked shots in all of those contests. On the season he is averaging 3.6 shot blocks per game.
Trouba is certainly known for his physical play, but he is also incredibly reliable on the backend, especially on the penalty kill.
The Nashville Predators are averaging 30.8 shots on goal per game this season while generating 13.25 high-danger chances per 60. The Predators have won six of their last seven games, so they should have some good buzz on home ice today against a very strong Rangers group.
I expect Trouba to step up once again when his team needs him most.
The over on his blocked shot props is at 2.5, which, as I said before, he has hit in seven straight games. I’m leaning on the Rangers captain.
Bet: *2 units Jacob Trouba Over 2.5 Blocked Shots -105 (play to -115)
NY Islanders at Florida (-175, 6)
The Florida Panthers offense has been known to throw the kitchen sink at the net. Tonight, the Panthers take on a New York Islanders team that relies heavily on their goaltending.
Ilya Sorokin is tonight’s expected starter for New York, and you can count on the Panthers to test him. Right now, Florida is generating the second-most shots on goal per game, averaging 33.7 per contest, while also skating to the eighth-highest high-danger chances per 60, earning 13.38 per contest.
The Islanders are allowing the fourth-most high-danger chances against, allowing 13.69 per 60 and also giving up the second-most shots on goal against per game, which is 35.4 right now.
Sorokin is currently averaging 32.79 saves per game, and you can expect him to see a ton of shots tonight. I’m confident in the Islanders’ netminder.
Bet: Ilya Sorokin Over Saves (No number or odds yet)
Colorado at Anaheim (+190, 6.5)
There haven’t been many players hotter than Cale Makar over the last month. Since November 1st, Makar has 25 points in 14 games played, which is the second-most in the NHL in that time frame. The only player who had more points than Makar is Nikita Kucherov.
Of those 25 points, nine of them came on the power play, and Makar is the quarterback of the Avalanche’s high-powered man-advantage.
Makar has scored power-play goals in back-to-back games, and tonight, he is facing an Anaheim Ducks team that has taken the most penalty minutes in the NHL, so he will certainly get his chance at the power play.
Colorado’s power play is converting at 21.4% this season, and Makar is a big reason why they’re doing this well. I think he will continue the success on the man-advantage tonight, putting up at least a point.
Bet: Cale Makar Over 0.5 Power Play Points -110 (play to -120)
