Mark Lammey
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After having just 4 games on the ice last night, you knew we were in store for a big Tuesday. That’s exactly what we have with a 10-game slate. Better yet, nearly every matchup sees the puck drop in the early window. However, you may still not be feeling too many of the sides or totals. If that’s the case, we have you covered. Our 2 favorite player props for tonight’s matchups are featured in the first and last games of the night, so let’s dive in.
Along with our player props, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
Mikko Rantanen over 1.5 points (+130)
The first play we are going to break down is actually the one that takes place later in the night. We have featured our 2nd skater enough recently such that it’s time to show Rantanen some love. He is an absolute star but hasn’t been in the limelight quite as much so far this season. That’s primarily due to the Colorado Avalanche not looking as strong and his partner in crime, Nathan MacKinnon, missing a few weeks due to injury. He is now back and was the one to record multiple points in the Avs most recent game.
So did Cale Makar, and now it’s time for Rantanen to get into the mix. Colorado tried to swap up lines in its last game against the Edmonton Oilers, but it resulted in a loss. We fully expect Rantanen and MacKinnon to be back together again to face off against a Florida Panthers team that was just smashed 5-1 against the Dallas Stars. They are on the road once again and are simply not looking strong. They have also committed the most penalties in the entire NHL. The Avs may not look as dominant, but they still have a top-10 power play unit. Rantanen’s last game against the Panthers featured 3 points, so we will back him to notch multiple again tonight.
Be sure to check out our full Florida Panthers vs Colorado Avalanche predictions
Nikita Kucherov over 1.5 points (+100)
As mentioned, Kucherov is a guy we have targeted before and he continues to be a stud. The former MVP is playing like he deserves another one, as his 55 points are the 6th-most in the league. He and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be out to bounce back from losing back-to-back games. They have been off since last Friday, and a rested Kucherov is something to fear. That’s especially true when facing a terrible team like the Columbus Blue Jackets. Admittedly, they burned us recently with a solid defensive performance against the Washington Capitals — but they are still allowing the 2nd-most goals per game.
Tampa Bay has already scored 9 goals across 2 games against Columbus this year, and now back at home that success should continue. The Lightning are scoring just under 4 goals per game at home, the 2nd-most in the NHL. Given Kucherov’s team-leading 55 points, he has obviously been the primary factor in that. The most recent games against the Jackets was less than a month ago and also on home ice, where Kucherov recorded 3 points. It was a similar case when facing them at home last season, recording 4 points in the process. The last time the Lightning were in Tampa Kucherov had 2 points, as well, so expect a big return to the Sunshine State against a bad goaltending team.
Don’t miss out on our NHL mega parlay at +827 odds for today’s action!
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