Mark Lammey
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Although we had the NHL take the day off for Thanksgiving yesterday, let’s keep the solid streak alive. After going 9-3 in my last 12 props, I’m looking to keep us profiting off of the huge slate today. We’re getting the weekend started with a whopping 14 games, including early afternoon action. Before we dive into our favorite plays, 2 other spots we love are the Tampa Bay Lightning at home and the New Jersey Devils looking to bounce back. Our first play is one of the earlier games, so let’s jump in. Along with our player props, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
Cale Makar over 1.5 points (+165)
Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche are coming off back-to-back losses at home for the first time since October 2021. The young defenseman should be able to help them bounce back tonight against the Nashville Predators. All-Pro skater Nathan MacKinnon may get most of the attention surrounding the Avs, but Makar was a pivotal piece in Colorado winning the Stanley Cup last season. He set a franchise record for the most points by a defenseman with 86. That was also the 2nd-most in the entire NHL by a defenseman.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that he won the Norris Trophy last season for the league’s best d-man. The Preds were also a team that he feasted on en route to winning that award. In 3 games against them last season, Makar recorded 3 points in 2 of those games. However, it doesn’t end there. The Avs swept Nashville in the first round of the playoffs last season. In those 4 games, Makar recorded 3 points in 3 of those games. Keep in mind we only need 2 to cash this plus-money prop. He’s scored a goal in each of Colorado’s last 3 games, and he should add an assist to his box score tonight.
Be sure to check out our Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators predictions
Kris Letang over 0.5 points (-120)
We’re focusing on another elite defenseman for our second play that has been doing it for far longer than Makar. Kris Letang has been a teammate of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for what seems like an eternity, and that core is one of the best of all time. Letang and the Pittsburgh Penguins are surging right now, having won 4 straight games. Now they get their cross-state rival in the Philadelphia Flyers tonight. They are headed in the complete opposite direction after losing 8 straight games. Letang and company can certainly take advantage of the Flyers’ decline.
The Pens have been swapping around their top 2 lines recently so rather than trusting who is paired with who, we’re going to go with the defenseman. He’ll be on the ice with Crosby and Malkin, along with Jake Guentzel, as he averages just under 24 minutes of ice time per game. It’s the most on the team by far, which should help him repeat his performances against the Flyers last season. In 4 meetings against Philly last season, Letang recorded 6 points. He’s primarily an assist man if you’re looking for another way to play this prop, but there is still great value in his overall point prop.
Be sure to check out our Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers predictions
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