Mark Lammey
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It’s been quite a yo-yo week in the NHL so far. After a 10-game slate on Tuesday, we had just 3 games on the board last night. We’re back with 10 more games, which means plenty of opportunities for profit. If you’d rather not sweat the outcome of a game, then a player prop may be the perfect bet type for you. We can focus on individual players’ performances rather than the teams as a whole. We’ve targeted the best matchups on today’s slate, and even provided some honorable mentions. 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.
Cole Caufield Over 2.5 shots on goal (-160)
There are a whopping 10 games in action tonight, yet we’re not exactly starting out with a marquee matchup. The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres were 2 of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference last season, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t individual talent on those teams. The Sabres are actually off to a solid start to the season, but we’re targeting Canadien Cole Caufield instead. The 21-year-old looks set to be one of the future faces of the NHL after a stellar season.
He was the 15th overall draft pick in 2019, and led the Habs in shots on goal last year despite playing in just 67 games. Caufield is already leading the way again so far this season, and has a great matchup against the Sabres. Although Buffalo is off to a solid start to their year, there is 1 area in which they have not been particularly great. After allowing the 10th-most shots per game last season, they’re now allowing the 4th-most this year. That should have Caufield licking his chops looking back at his stat lines from last season. In 4 meetings, he hit this prop in 3 of them, including 5 shots on goal in their most recent matchup. That trend should continue with the Sabres allowing even more shots per game this season.
Be sure to check out our full Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres predictions
Patrice Bergeron Over 3.5 shots on goal (-145)
We’re going to stick with the same bet type and only have a different value. The Boston Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron is an absolute shot machine, so it makes sense that his prop is set a shot higher. However, that should not cause any hesitation. The Detroit Red Wings are another team similar to the Sabres. They look set to have a stronger year than they had last season, but the same concern plagues them. The Wings allowed the 5th-most shots per game last year and are allowing the 6th-most so far this season.
They made a great addition at goaltender with Vile Husso from the St. Louis Blues, but he can’t prevent Bergeron from taking his chances. That’s something the Bruins center loves to do, as he took 293 in 73 games last season. He also already has 26 in 7 games this season. Bergeron was also a part of Detroit’s poor numbers in terms of shots allowed per game. Boston faced the Wings 4 times last season, and Bergeron hit this prop in every one of them. He had totals of 5, 4 and 8 twice in those matchups. If he can hit double the number we need tonight, there’s no reason not to expect him to cash this for the 5th straight time.
Be sure to check out our full Detroit Red Wings vs Boston Bruins predictions
NHL Player Prop Honorable Mentions
Brady Tkachuk (OTT Senators) over 3.5 shots on goal – Hit this prop the last time we gave it out, had 5 shots in each game against the Minnesota Wild last season and they’re now allowing the 7th-most shots per game this year.
William Nylander (TOR Maple Leafs) to record a point – Recorded 3 points in 2 games against the San Jose Sharks last season and has 7 points in 7 games so far this season.
J.T. Miller (VAN Canucks) to record an assist – Had 5 assists in 4 games against the Seattle Kraken last season and they’re allowing the 7th-most goals per game this year. Quinn Hughes is out with an injury so the team relies even more on Miller to lead scoring opportunities.
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