Mark Lammey
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We cashed yesterday’s NHL player prop with the small 2-game slate and have hit 2 of our last 3, so let’s stay hot. Saturdays are arguably the best day of the week during the NHL season. Not only do we have a massive 14-game slate, we have games beginning in the early afternoon and another NHL Global Series game.
If you don’t have a great read on many sides or totals for today’s games, then these player props are for you. There’s no sweating the outcome, and we can just focus on specific skaters and their performances. 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 favorite hockey player props today.
Brad Marchand over 0.5 assists (+100)
The Boston Bruins have been buzzin’ to start this season, and now have the best record in the NHL at 10-1. David Pastrnak helped them fire out of the gates, and the return of Brad Marchand has boosted the team. He was told that his offseason surgery would have him out until December, but he was having none of it. He returned two Thursdays ago against the Detroit Red Wings and immediately recorded 3 points. Now he gets to take on a Maple Leafs team that has been known to have goaltending issues.
They tried to shore up those struggles by signing Matt Murray during the offseason. However, he is out for multiple weeks with an injury. They’ve been working with backups Ilya Samsonov and Erik Kallgren, neither of whom is intimidating. Marchand hasn’t minded who’s in net for the Leafs throughout his career, as he has 45 points in 45 games against them. Better yet, he’s recorded an assist in 4 of the last 5 games against the Leafs. It also helps that the wing on the opposite side of Marchand is Pastrnak, who has the 3rd-most points in the NHL this season with 19. He’s also taken the 2nd-most shots with 61, so this very well may be a Marchand assist into Pastrnak goal.
Be sure to check out our Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs predictions
Alex Ovechkin over 3.5 shots on goal (-160)
We’re going to transition to another Eastern Conference team but to a different type of player prop. The Washington Capitals have not had nearly as strong a start to the year as the Bruins, but Alex Ovechkin still remains one of the best goalscorers in NHL history. He is 3rd all-time with 786. Of course he has got to that point with his great skill, but also because he is never shy about taking his shots. He finished last season with 334 of them, the 2nd-most in the NHL. He’s perennially among the best in that regard, and he currently has 46 through his first 12 games.
That average is likely to increase for a couple of reasons. Firstly, T.J. Oshie is out indefinitely, which puts even more pressure on Ove to produce. Secondly, the Caps are at home and facing the perfect opponent. They’re welcoming in the Arizona Coyotes, who have been widely regarded as the worst team in the NHL since last season. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the Coyotes have allowed the 2nd-most shots per game, along with 3rd-most goals per game. You can bet that Ove will be licking his chops knowing such a low caliber of defense is coming into town. We don’t need to worry if he scores or not, just that he keeps the snipes coming.
Be sure to check out our Arizona Coyotes vs Washington Capitals predictions
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