Ryan Hodges
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What better way to go into a holiday weekend than with a packed 15-game NHL slate? Wednesday night brings a little bit of everything in the NHL. There is no way you will not be entertained if you’re a hockey fan. Whether you’re watching your favorite team or just want to have some bets for a vested interest in the schedule Wednesday, there is something for you. If you’re looking to have some action, check out our favorite NHL player props for Wednesday. Along with our player props, be sure to also check out our NHL picks for each of today’s games.
Tage Thompson over 1.5 points (+180)
The Sabres continue to be very front-heavy and carried by their top line of Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner. That line has a combined 64 points in 57 games, led by Thompson with 26 points in 19 games. Thompson has been one of the more balanced forwards in the league with plenty of goals and assists all season long. He currently has 13 goals and 13 assists and a +2 rating with 5 powerplay goals. He centers the Sabres’ top line and is on the top powerplay. Thompson logs plenty of high-leverage minutes on the ice with other very strong players. Any offense the Sabres produce likely goes through Thompson.
The Sabres just snapped an 8-game losing streak after cruising to a 7-2 win on Tuesday over the Canadiens. Buffalo will look to continue collecting points to at least climb back to fringe-playoff contention for as long as possible. The Blues present a bit of a revenge spot for Tage Thompson as he was part of the trade package that the Blues sent to the Sabres for Ryan O’Reilly. Thompson has indicated frustration with the Blues organization with regard to the opportunity provided, or lack thereof, as a prospect and young player. Now he is one of the best centers in the NHL. With a bit of a chip on his shoulder and linemates that produce, look for Thompson to get involved often on Wednesday night.
Be sure to check out our full St. Louis Blues vs Buffalo Sabres predictions
Auston Matthews over 0.5 goals (+100)
The Devils just continue to mow through opponents as they are now up to a 13-game winning streak. The Maple Leafs accounted for one of those Devils’ wins as they fell to New Jersey last week in overtime. Toronto has not found much consistency in November, and snapping New Jersey’s winning streak would bring a burst of energy through that locker room. The Leafs are not playing bad by any means, but there is a slimmer margin of error than they would prefer in their games recently that has brought 4 close losses in their last 7 games. They will come out with plenty of jam on Wednesday.
When the Maple Leafs play with a chip on their shoulder and look to light up the scoreboard, they are led by Auston Matthews. Matthews has 21 points in 20 games which still isn’t to the caliber of play that we have grown accustomed to. That is just how good he is. He centers Toronto’s top line and top powerplay unit. At any time, there is a good chance Matthews is on the ice with some combination of Mitch Marner, Michael Bunting, William Nylander, John Tavares, Mark Giordano and Rasmus Sandin among others. That is a lot for any team to handle, even one as hot as New Jersey.
It is a matter of when, not if, Matthews truly breaks out for some big performances over a longer stretch of games. Getting +100 for Matthews to score in a game in which the Leafs will bring plenty of urgency is a good value.
Be sure to check out our full Toronto Maple Leafs vs New Jersey Devils predictions
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