Mark Lammey
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The NHL schedule-makers seem to love giving massive, double-digit game slates followed by a day with just a couple of games. If choosing between 2 bottom-half teams or backing a huge home favorite does not seem appealing, not to worry. There are player prop markets for both the Panthers and Canadiens that we can target. Along with our player props, be sure to check out our full game previews for tonight’s matchups.
Sam Bennett over 0.5 points (-135)
The Panthers are loaded with 3 full lines of all-star caliber talent and household names that are as consistent as they come. Oddsmakers know this too. That’s why most of their player props are highly inflated. Focusing on a secondary skater such as Sam Bennett, there is still value to be had. He may not have the ridiculous 105 points of teammate Jonathan Huberdeau, but skating alongside him still provides Bennett great opportunities.
Despite also being teammates with Aleksander Barkov, it’s Bennett that leads the team in shots on goal. He has 214 in 63 games — nearly 3.5 per game. He has converted on those shots for 27 goals, along with 18 assists for 45 points. He’s also taken on even more responsibility as key skater Aaron Ekblad has been on the injured reserve. It could not have come at a more important time with the Panthers trying to secure their number 1 overall seed. What’s even crazier is that Huberdeau and Barkov were the ones held pointless the last time these teams met. Instead, it was Bennett who scored a goal on his 4 shots. That game was with Ekblad still in the lineup. Now without him, look for Bennett to take off against the Jets.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Winnipeg Jets vs Florida Panthers
Cole Caufield over 0.5 goals (+180)
This is a skater that has been targeted several times this season, but for good reason. Cole Caufield has proven to be the one consistent piece of a struggling Canadiens team. His emergence in the second half of the season has given Montreal optimism for the future. Facing an Islanders team may seem like a terrible matchup on the surface. However, they are traveling up to Montreal after having taken on the Penguins in Pittsburgh last night.
New York was sure to use starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin against the Pens, leaving backup Semyon Varlamov in net for tonight. Caufield was held goalless last time out and should be able to use this opportunity to remedy that. He still took 4 shots in that last outing against the Blue Jackets, but was unlucky with some deflections. Caufield also began the month of April with 4 straight games with a goal, including one against Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Lightning. The last time the Habs faced the Islanders, Caufield recorded an assist. This time around he should still record a point again, but in the goal column. As a secondary play, I would also consider Islander Brock Nelson to score a goal.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the New York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens
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