Mark Lammey
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We’re on a solid 5-1 run the last 3 days of player props, including a plus-money play each night. Let’s keep things rolling with a slate that has a lot to like. The Dallas Stars’ skaters look poised for a big afternoon back at home after an embarrassing loss and if you’re willing to pay the heavy price, check out Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames to record a point. Minnesota’s Mats Zuccarello should also record an assist should he be healthy to go for their game. Having gone through those helpful suggestions, we still even have a bonus play for you today. In other words, let’s get into it.
Along with our player props, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
William Nylander over 0.5 assists (+125)
There’s no denying that we’re starting things off with a bit of a risk. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be on the second night of a back-to-back as they head to Philly to take on the Flyers. However, that is not the risky part. That lies in the fact that William Nylander loves to take his shots as well. Despite that, he’s still had at least an assist each of the last 4 games against the Flyers, including 2 of them just a couple of weeks ago.
Let’s not forget his still skates alongside Auston Matthews, fresh off his 60-goal season. Out of superstars Nylander, Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares, Nylander was the only one not to record a point in the Leafs’ win last night. You be sure he’ll want to get back into the box score against a Philly team he and Toronto has historically owned. As another suggestion on how to play this, you could parlay his overall point prop (around -200) with Lindholm of the Flames (around -170) for another plus-money play. However, we think Nylander could record multiple points so even if you see an early goal, an assist should be on the way.
Be sure to check out our Toronto Maple Leafs vs Philadelphia Flyers prediction
Alex Ovechkin over 1.5 points (+140)
Speaking of multiple points, that’s where we’re headed for our second play. You may have seen us target Alex Ovechkin frequently as of late, but the future Hall of Famer is simply playing too well to ignore right now. Although having John Carlson injured is a bummer, having T.J. Oshie back is a huge plus. He should help assist Ovechkin for a goal or 2 against a Columbus Blue Jackets team the Washington Capitals crushed 3 days ago. That was on the road, and now they get to face them at home and on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Jackets are apparently projected to have Joonas Korpisalo in net again after just being between the pipes in a game that went to a shootout yesterday. Whether that’s a mistake or not doesn’t matter, because Columbus allows the 2nd-most goals per game, and the absolute most per game at home. That’s not ideal (well, very ideal for us) when facing Ovechkin, who is chasing Wayne Gretzky’s record for most goals scored in NHL history. The Caps just scored 6 goals against them on Thursday, so look for another big night from the Great 8.
Evgeni Malkin over 0.5 assists (-110)
We apologize that all 3 plays aren’t plus-money, but we’re not too far off here. Wrapping things up is a game out west, which will be an afternoon puck-drop in terms of local time. The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to get back in the win column after falling in the NHL Winter Classic and then to the Vegas Golden Knights in their first game of this road trip. Now settled in and taking on an inferior Arizona Coyotes team, they should be able to do just that. In doing so, stars Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Malkin should come up clutch.
Like Nylander, Malkin isn’t shy about taking his shots. However, he’s always been more of an assist man, especially against the Coyotes. He has 10 assists in his last 10 games against Arizona, and 19 in his last 20 if we really want to go far back. It also helps that the Coyotes are allowing 3.66 goals per game, tied for the 6th-most in the NHL. The Pens have certainly helped contribute to that, as they defeated Arizona 6-2 earlier this season. In what should be a nice get-right game for Pittsburgh, look for Malkin to provide that veteran leadership with a helper in the process.
Don’t miss out on our NHL mega parlay at +953 odds for today’s action!
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