Ryan Hodges
Show Bio
The NHL is treating us to a jam-packed Saturday schedule. There are 9 games today with several of them being star-studded and meaningful in terms of the standings. The first puck drops at 1:00pm ET and the final puck drops at 10:30pm ET. What better way to spend an entire afternoon and night than soaking in these great games? 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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Andrei Svechnikov anytime goal scorer (+100)
The Hurricanes just had a 15-0-2 run snapped and have lost their last 2 games by a combined score of 10-6. Carolina is not in panic mode by any means, but would like to avoid dropping 3 consecutive games. Today’s game against the Blue Jackets is a great opportunity for them to get back in the win column. Columbus is the second-worst team in the NHL this season and has just 1 win in its last 11 games. While this is not a game pick, it sets up for the Hurricanes to have a big afternoon. That being the case, leading goalscorer Andrei Svechnikov will likely be involved in running up the score.
Svechnikov has 19 goals and 33 points in 39 games this season. In Carolina’s only game against Columbus this season, he scored. Svechnikov skates over 18 minutes per game on the Hurricanes’ top line and top power play. At any time he is likely on the ice with some combination of Paul Stastny, Martin Necas, Sebastian Aho, Brent Burns, Jaccob Slavin and Max Pacioretty, among other very good Carolina players. Those Hurricanes can contribute to producing at a clip that the Blue Jackets just cannot keep up with. Carolina should come out with plenty of urgency to get back in the win column. Svechnikov has a great chance at +100 to pad his team lead in goals and contribute to a win.
Be sure to check out our full Carolina Hurricanes vs Columbus Blue Jackets predictions.
Leon Draisaitl over 1.5 points (+105)
In a game between teams who have not really met expectations midway through the season, Avalanche vs Oilers has a chance to be a goal-fest. This matchup has Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar on one side, and Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on the other side. There is a good chance of offensive production if just one of those guys is on the ice, let alone more than one. If this game does become a high-scoring affair, these teams will rely on their stars to keep them in it. With 22 goals and 38 assists in 38 games, Draisaitl certainly qualifies.
The Oilers split up McDavid and Draisaitl because they have to get their depth going. Draisaitl got the better shake as his line-mates are Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. That line has a combined 150 points in 117 games. Draisaitl is also on Edmonton’s top power play with those same guys plus McDavid and Tyson Barrie. He is surrounded by stars every time he steps on the ice, and he is the second-biggest star of all of them. Colorado enters this game winless in 5 games having allowed 24 goals along the way. The matchup and current form indicate a high volume of production between these teams on Saturday. Getting plus-money for Draisaitl to be part of that and do what he has done all season is strong value.
Be sure to check out our fulls Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers predictions.
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