Ryan Hodges
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All but 4 NHL teams are suited up on Saturday for what will be an absolutely jam-packed slate. There are standings implications, draft implications, playoff rematches, historic rivalries and lots of star power on today’s schedule. Get all your chores done early because this is a slate of NHL hockey you will not want to miss. If you are looking to have some action, here are our favorite NHL player props for Saturday. Also, be sure to also check out our NHL picks for each of today’s games.
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Brian Rust Over 0.5 points (+105)
This should be a great game between the Penguins and Hurricanes, as all 3 head-to-head matchups this season have been 1-goal games. The Penguins have 2 wins in their last 9 games and are clinging to a playoff spot by just a point. Each of the 1-goal games between these teams went to Carolina as Pittsburgh has yet to find a way to beat them. But all those reasons are why Pittsburgh is going to play with a lot of jam and rely on its top players. Facing a tough opponent on Saturday, look for the Penguins to be more focused. Bryan Rust is a key player in the Penguins’ attack and if Pittsburgh makes a run, he should be a big part of it.
Rust skates over 18 minutes per game on the Penguins’ top line and second power-play unit. At any time, he is likely to be on the ice with some combination of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Jason Zucker, Brian Dumoulin and Jeff Carter among other strong Penguins players. Rust and his linemates will get a lot of ice time on Saturday against the Eastern Conference-leading Hurricanes. As good as Carolina is, Pittsburgh is no slouch and its top line of Rust, Crosby and Guentzel is nothing to scoff at. Rust has 3 points in his last 3 games, and will get plenty of opportunities to be in the mix offensively again. The pure matchup, urgency for the Penguins, and Rust’s high-leverage situations bring good value to this plus-money points prop.
Be sure to check out our full NHL predictions.
Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal scorer (+115)
Nathan MacKinnon has missed 11 of the Avs’ 40 games, but that has not stopped him from putting up 41 points. As expected, when MacKinnon is in the lineup, he produces. He has goals in 3 of his last 5 games as part of 7 points over that span. MacKinnon plays over 18 minutes per game centering Colorado’s top line and is on their top power play. There is always a chance for a goal whenever MacKinnon is on the ice, but those chances are amplified when he is joined by Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar and Artturi Lehkonen among other good Avalanche players. In a game in which the Avalanche really need their best players to step up, Nathan MacKinnon should continue to do so.
Halfway through the season, the Avalanche are not in a playoff spot. As they get healthier, they really need points. The Senators present a good opportunity for the Avs to collect 2 points as they have dropped 2 of their last 3 games by a combined score of 14-9. Ottawa is not a bad team, but they just don’t have the pedigree that Colorado has. When MacKinnon plays with a chip on his shoulder, it is can’t-miss hockey. Expect nothing less on Saturday considering his team needs to catch fire in the second half of the season. Plus-money for a superstar who collects 1.41 points per game to score against an average team is a good value.
Be sure to check out our mega parlay for tonight’s action
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