Mark Lammey
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Saturdays in the NHL are a beautiful thing as it almost always provides a huge slate of games. Not only that, we have afternoon hockey today. Along with all of the money line and total plays available, there’s an even bigger market when it comes to player props. With so many games going on, we also have some honorable mentions to go along with our 2 best player props. Along with our player props, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
Let’s take a closer look at my 2 favorite player props.
Kris Letang over 0.5 assists (-115)
The Pittsburgh Penguins head over to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets tonight, and plenty of goals should be expected. After allowing the 5th-most goals per game last season, the Jackets are currently tied for the 5th-most once again so far this season. Of course it isn’t the largest sample size, but the trend should continue. That’s because they still have last year’s goaltender Elvis Merlikins between the pipes.
Not only is that great news for the Pens, it’s great news for Kris Letang specifically. The Pens ended all speculations of splitting up their core trio of Letang, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin by re-signing him during the offseason. Letang has been the assist man for Crosby and Malkin throughout his career. Now with Pittsburgh missing Jake Guentzel for this game, he’s going to be even more involved. It’s also worth targeting his assist prop specifically. Of his 68 points last season, 58 were assists. Just as he did last season, he’s leading the team with nearly 23 minutes of ice time per game. That simply means more opportunities for Letang to come through for us tonight.
Be sure to check out our Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets predictions
Roman Josi over 0.5 assists (+100)
Admittedly, this prop burned us earlier in the season, but that’s not something that should be expected. Roman Josi and the Nashville Predators have an idle matchup tonight when they welcome in the Philadelphia Flyers. The Preds are back at home for this matchup to bounce back from a 3-0 lead they blew in their last game. In fact, it would have been 4-0 if a goal Josi had assisted on wasn’t disallowed. Regardless, the Flyers allowed the 6th-most goals per game last season and goaltender Carter Hart is still in net.
They’ve been better so far this season, but it’s difficult to trust that to continue. Josi is also the perfect skater to bring Philly back down to Earth. In just 2 meetings against the Flyers last season, Josi torched them for 5 assists. The former Norris Trophy winner for the NHL’s best defenseman had another career year overall last season as well. His 96 points were the most among all defenseman and his 73 assists were the 5th-most overall. With such a great history of success against the Flyers, Josi should record at least 1 assist tonight.
Be sure to check out our Philadelphia Flyers vs Nashville Predators predictions
NHL Player Prop Honorable Mentions
Filip Forsberg (NSH Predators) to score a goal and record over 2.5 shots on goal – He scored a goal in both games against the Flyers last season and Philly is currently allowing the 6th-most shots per game this season.
Brady Tkachuk (OTT Senators) over 3.5 shots on goal – He recorded 13 shots across 2 games against the Arizona Coyotes last season and they’re allowing the 3rd-most shots per game this season.
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