Best NHL prop bets for today, 12/29 - Tage Thompson tears through Red Wings

Buffalo Sabres right wing Tage Thompson
Photo of Mark Lammey

Mark Lammey

NHL

Show Bio

I've been a capper since my love for sports met my proficiency with numbers and math. The NFL and NCAAF have always been my first loves, followed by the NHL. Although I prefer sports that involve hitting people, I still love capping MLB, soccer, tennis, and even some esports. Living in Florida has its perks like year-round sports of any kind. For Mark Lammey media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
Read more about Mark Lammey

After the lighter 5-game slate last night, we’re back with 11 games on the board in the NHL tonight. We’ve got some great matchups like the Rangers vs Lightning, and some others that look rather lopsided. Before we dive into our plays, we’d advise caution when seeing the Maple Leafs taking on the Coyotes. That may look like a prime spot for a big night for Auston Matthews and company, but Arizona has been their kryptonite. They’ve been upset by the ‘Yotes in 3 straight meetings. Keeping that in mind, we’ve made sure to target some much more advantageous spots for our 2 favorite player props. Along with our player props, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.

You can bet both of these NHL player props with FanDuel Sportsbook, which has a great sign-up offer where you can get a no-sweat bet up to $1,000! Click here to sign up to FanDuel now.

Tage Thompson over 1.5 points (+135)

Looking at the NHL standings, the Buffalo Sabres may not jump off the page at you. However, looking at the NHL statistics, their offense does. They’ve scored the most goals per game throughout the year, the most since December 1, and the 2nd-most at home. No matter how you slice it, they’re shredding opposing goaltending. The primary reason for that has been the emergence of Tage Thompson. He’s making a name for himself as one of the elite goalscorers in the NHL. His 50 points through 32 games are the 4th-most in the entire league, and he’s had multiple points in 3 of his last 4 games. 

We wanted to target him against the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night, but that game was postponed. Thompson had a ridiculous 5 goals against the Jackets earlier this month, and he was just as incredible against the Detroit Red Wings on Halloween. That’s who he and the Sabres will be facing tonight, which bodes very well for this prop. Thompson had a hat-trick in that matchup, which itself is already extremely impressive. However, he wasn’t done there. He had 3 assists to go along with those 3 goals for 6 total points. That game was also at home and with Buffalo having been resting up there for quite some time, expect Thompson to come out with plenty of energy for another huge night.

Lock in our NHL mega parlay for tonight at +849 odds!

Jordan Kyrou over 0.5 assists (+110)

There was great consideration for our 2nd play to target a Florida Panthers skater, but with the way they’ve been shifting lines around, we want to wait and see their first game back since the break first. Instead, we’re heading to another young skater making a name for himself, much like Thompson. Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues is a year younger than Tage at just 24, and caught fans’ eyes last season. During the all-star break, he beat Connor McDavid in the speed-skating competition and went on to have a great season. He’s doing the same this season, leading the team with 33 points, despite missing a few games. Now that he’s back healthy, he was back on the top line Tuesday night against the Maple Leafs. 

He was able to score a goal against Toronto, one of the best goaltending teams in the NHL. Now Kyrou and company get to face a terrible defensive team in the Chicago Blackhawks. They’ve allowed the 4th-most goals per game overall, but have been even worse recently. The Blackhawks have allowed 3.92 goals per game over the last month, tied for the 2nd-most in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Blues have scored 3.46 goals per since the start of December. If they can put up 4 goals on the Leafs, Chicago should be a cake walk. Kyrou made it seem that way against them earlier this year, recording 2 points in that contest. Even if you see him net a goal early, there should be plenty of opportunities for him to have 1 of each, just like he did last month.

Be sure to check out our full Chicago Blackhawks vs St. Louis Blues predictions

Pickswise is the home of free NHL Picks and NHL Predictions. Check back for our daily NHL Best Bets, including our favorite NHL Prop Bets.

Pickswise
*
By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy