Mark Lammey
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After cashing last night’s NHL player prop, let’s keep things rolling. We’re finally back with a solid 11-game slate tonight after back-to-back 3-game nights. Tonight features the second Battle of New York, several teams out for revenge for recent losses, and even a potential Stanley Cup preview in Tampa. It can be overwhelming trying to pinpoint all the sides and totals to attack, but that’s what the player prop market is for. After breaking down the matchups, we’ve come up with the best skaters to target for tonight’s slate. 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.
Nikita Kucherov (TB) Over 3.5 shots on goal (+100)
We’ve hit this player prop with a different Tampa Bay Lightning skater in Steven Stamkos already this season. We love his matchup again tonight, but we’re going to target his partner in crime, Nikita Kucherov. The former MVP winner is off to an incredible start to the season. His 20 points are the 3rd-most in the NHL, behind only the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Ironically enough, that’s exactly who he’ll be competing against tonight. However, we’re not worried about those elite point-scorers as much as we are the Oilers’ defense. That’s been the weakness of Edmonton and what’s kept them that one step away from the Stanley Cup Finals.
Meanwhile, the Lightning and Kucherov have been to each of the last 3, winning 2 of them. He’s dealt with injuries the last few seasons, but he’s firing on all cylinders to start this year. Kucherov is still slightly behind Stamkos in terms of shots on goal, but he’s been heating up in that department recently. He’s recorded at least 4 shots on goal in each of his last 4 games, including a 6-shot performance the last time he was on the ice. Kucherov and company will be back on home ice again, which bodes well as they take on an Oilers team that has allowed the 6th-most shots per game. Edmonton is a team Kucherov has enjoyed facing throughout his career as well. He’s hit this prop in 6 of his last 7 games against them, including 7 shots in their most recent contest.
Be sure to check out our full Edmonton Oilers vs Tampa Bay Lightning predictions
Jeff Skinner (BUF) Over 3.5 shots on goal (+125)
We’re not straying far in terms of prop market, but we are in terms of household names. There aren’t many of those on the Buffalo Sabres, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have skaters that can come through. The Sabres are quietly having a strong opening to the year, including back-to-back upsets over the Oilers and Calgary Flames on the road. They’re now 7-5-0 and heading back to Buffalo to host a struggling Arizona Coyotes team. They continue to be among the worst in terms of both goals allowed per game and shots allowed per game. On top of that, they’re also in the midst of a 14-game road trip. With Arizona also allowing the 3rd-most goals per game, we love any Sabres-related point prop tonight as well.
However, we’re going to exploit Arizona allowing the 2nd-most shots per game. When it comes to Buffalo, this play is similar to deciding between Stamkos and Kucherov for the Lightning. For the Sabres, it generally comes down to Tage Thompson or Jeff Skinner. Thompson’s prop has consistently been at 3.5, and now Skinner’s has jumped to that number too. While that means we need an extra shot, he’s been consistent for several seasons now. Skinner also just had 7 shots against the Lightning on the road, which is a far superior defense than the Coyotes’. Better yet, Skinner had at least 4 shots on goal against Arizona in both of their meetings last season. We’d suggest taking Thompson with this same prop as well, but our official play is on Skinner for tonight.
Be sure to check out our full Arizona Coyotes vs Buffalo Sabres predictions
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