Ryan Hodges
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Saturday’s huge NHL slate is followed by a modest 2 games on Sunday. The Panthers will visit the Blue Jackets and the Penguins will head to the Blackhawks. You may be a fan of any of the other 28 teams or maybe you’re not a fan at all but we can still make things more interesting. If you’re looking to have some action, check out our favorite NHL player props for Sunday. Along with our player props, be sure to also check out our NHL picks for each of today’s games.
Carter Verhaeghe anytime goal scorer (+165)
Carter Verhaeghe is off to a great start to the season. He has asserted himself as one of the best, most important players on what is expected to be a playoff team. Verhaeghe leads the Panthers in goals with 11, and is 2nd on the team in points with 18 in 18 games. He plays on the Panthers’ top line and second power play with other star players. With that, Verhaeghe plays an average of over 18 minutes per game. He has also logged 56 shots over his 18 games played for an average of 3.11 shots per game. Verhaeghe is put in spots to succeed and so far has rewarded his team.
Verhaeghe and the Panthers have a great matchup on Sunday going to Columbus. The Blue Jackets have the NHL’s worst goal prevention with 4.41 goals allowed per game. That has not changed much lately as they have allowed 4+ goals in their last 4 straight despite winning 2 of those games. Their goaltending has the worst save percentage in the NHL at 88.23% which certainly has not helped. Both teams are on the second of back-to-back games, and that gives the Panthers even more of an edge over this weaker Blue Jackets team. With plenty of offense expected for the Panthers, it’s tough to think Verhaeghe will not be part of it and light the lamp.
Andreas Athanasiou over 0.5 points (+115)
The Blackhawks have been licking their wounds a little bit in the past week. They got off to a decent start this season, but are now under .500 and have been outscored 14-3 in their last 2 games. Andreas Athanasiou scored 2 of those 3 goals for Chicago. Sure, that may not be saying much. But if Chicago musters up any offense, Athanasiou has a great chance to be involved. He is on the Blackhawks’ top line with Max Domi and Patrick Kane. Kane can make a star out of anyone because he is that good. Athanasiou is also on the team’s second power play unit. Playing with a superstar and in high leverage situations at the very least will get Athanasiou opportunities.
The Penguins are 4-1-1 in their last 6 games and they have the NHL’s 4th-best goalscoring with 3.61 goals scored per game. It’s likely that the game script will be something along the lines of Pittsburgh leading and Chicago having to play catch-up. In that case, the Blackhawks will need to play a more aggressive style and take some chances offensively so that they can stay in the game. Chicago’s top line will also see more ice time in that case as they represent the best chance for a goal. Even if the game script differs, Athanasiou plays with a superstar on the team’s top line and power play. Any offense Chicago gets going will likely include Athanasiou.
Be sure to check out our full Penguins vs Blackhawks predictions
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