Mark Lammey
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After a crazy NHL weekend that included an 11-point game by the Penguins and a 7-round shootout between the Canadiens and Devils, we have a much more relaxed slate of just 5 games. Although short, there is always value to be found in the player prop market. Teams such as the Blackhawks and Oilers return to their home arenas after heartbreaking road losses; they’ll need to rely on their super talent to rebound. Along with our player props, be sure the check out our full game previews for tonight’s matchups.
Patrick Kane over 0.5 goals (+160)
Lifelong Blackhawk Patrick Kane has been one of the most reliable point scorers for over a decade now. Although Chicago has had a disappointing season, Kane has remained a bright spot for the franchise. In his past 20 games, he’s recorded at least a point in 17 of them. Similarly, 8 of them saw goals, including a hat-trick at the end of February. No matter what clip of games you look at, Kane is an absolute stud. When analyzing his point breakdown, it is noticeable that his ratio actually leans towards assists.
That’s what provides the value in his goal-scoring prop. Although he has recorded more assists than goals, he is still a superb finisher. He’s had a goal in 2 of his past 3 games and still leads the team in shots on goal. He is still 7 shots ahead of fellow skater Alex DeBrincat with 227 in 4 fewer games — there’s a reason why his shots on goal prop is always listed at 3.5 rather than 2.5. Although that prop may also hit, the plus money is valuable here.
The Sabres are traveling into Chicago on a back-to-back in which they just played a great Rangers team into overtime last night. Buffalo already allows the 7th-most goals per game in the league with 3.48 per game. Now they’ll most likely have backup Dustin Tokarski in net, who is just 6-9 on the year. Getting plus-money for a superstar like Kane to do what he does best against a bad goaltending team should instill confidence when placing this one.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks
Connor McDavid over 1.5 points (+100)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We’ve all heard the expression before, and it couldn’t hold more true for Connor McDavid. He is the epitome of the perfect combination of speed and stick skills, and has widely been considered the best player in the NHL since he entered the league. But hype doesn’t mean much. However, McDavid has backed it up and then some. He once again leads the league in points with 97, making him the heavy favorite for the Art Ross trophy (most points) at a juicy -300 on average. Granted, he enters every season the favorite for that award and he backs it up with ridiculous performances.
It would be a crazy stat to know that he’s recorded a point in 15 of his last 20 games; however, he has recorded multiple points in those 15 games. More recently, it has been 8 of the past 9 games with more than one point. The analysis of his point-scoring can be broken down in any way fathomable, and it will always come out the same way. He’s going to get his.
McDavid’s talent is enough for this play in itself, but now he even gets a great matchup in the Coyotes. Arizona allows the 6th-most goals in the league at 3.54 per game, and will be heading into Edmonton on a road back-to-back. The Oilers and McDavid have faced the Coyotes twice already this season; in those games, Connor recorded 4 and 3 points. We can rely on McDavid to come out fuming off a loss to the Flames, now facing a team he knows he can light it up against.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Arizona Coyotes vs Edmonton Oilers
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