Mark Lammey
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With just 2 games on the board tonight, it may feel like a boring Friday night. However, we’re still here to find you the best value. Not only that, we’ve actually found great spots in both games. Many times with small slates we don’t like to force anything, and we aren’t tonight either. Thankfully the matchups provide worthwhile opportunities, so let’s check them out. We’re on a 4-1 run with our NHL player props right now, so let’s see if we can improve that record here. Along with our player props, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
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Valeri Nichushkin over 0.5 points (-170)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Our guy Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche has been incredible for us this season. Now it’s time to target his linemate. Since Nathan MacKinnon’s return from injury, the Avs have actually separated him from Rantanen. Now that Nichushkin is back healthy, they’ve had him with Rantanen. Therefore, Nichushkin should continue to have success. Although he’s only been on the ice for 16 games this season, he’s recorded 17 points.
Now he and the Avs get to take on a terrible goaltending team in the Vancouver Canucks. The Tampa Bay Lightning just traveled cross-country to Vancouver and put up 5 goals with ease. Colorado can do the same, especially with the groove they’ve recently found. They’ve won each of their last 3 games by at least 3 goals, including a 7-0 thrashing of the Ottawa Senators. There should be plenty of Colorado skaters getting in the box score tonight, and Nichushkin should be one of them.
Be sure to check out our full Colorado Avalanche vs Vancouver Canucks predictions
Bryan Rust over 0.5 points (-125)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Speaking of the Senators, that’s who Bryan Rust and the Pittsburgh Penguins will be facing tonight. These teams will be battling for the 2nd time in 3 nights, with the Pens falling 5-4 in overtime on Wednesday night. However, tonight’s game will be in Pittsburgh’s barn, which is great news for Rust. Something seems to click with the winger when on home ice.
He certainly has more confidence, as he’s averaging just 2.04 shots per game on the road compared to 3.14 shots per game at home. Therefore, it’s no surprise that he’s recorded 19 points in 21 home games this season. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s been skating on the top line with Jake Guentzel and future Hall-of-Famer Sidney Crosby. Despite the loss on Wednesday, Crosby recorded 3 assists in that game. It’s been Evgeni Malkin that has been on a tear the last few nights, but with Rust back in his comfort zone on home ice, we’ll take the much better value with his prop.
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