There are 12 games for Saturday’s NHL slate, we’re going to take a deeper dive into two of the matchups and choose two player props we think will provide good value and will have a great chance of hitting. Games are starting at 2:00 pm ET and the final game of the night starts at 10:30 pm ET. Can the Red Wings rookies continue their high level production, and can Auston Matthews get back to scoring like himself versus the Leafs biggest rival tonight?
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Lucas Raymond over 0.5 points (+100)
Admittedly one of the more boring hockey games tonight, this matchup provides incredible odds for a player prop that we love. Lucas Raymond, the rookie from Sweden, is off to an incredible start to his career with 10 points through 11 games. He’s leading the Red Wings in scoring and should continue that trend tonight against the Sabres. The Sabres are on a three game losing streak allowing 13 goals in that span, their defense is starting to crumble. Neither of these teams are expected to make the playoffs, but this should still be a high energy game with a lot of goals. Raymond has scored seven points in his last six games and is averaging over three minutes of powerplay time per game. He’s been getting first line minutes with teammate Tyler Bertuzzi who is currently operating at more than a point per game.
Versus the Buffalo Sabres, there’s likely to be a lot of scoring chances tonight for the Red Wings. They’re allowing more than 32 shots per game and take close to four minor penalties a night. This is the first matchup of the season for these two so there is an element of the unknown, but we think it should be high scoring which will give Raymond an even better shot at recording a point. Take the rookie to get a point tonight and continue leading the way for his team.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres.
Auston Matthews over 0.5 goals (+120)
Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs will be taking on arguably their biggest rivals over the past five seasons, the Boston Bruins. With just three goals in eight games, Matthews hasn’t been playing his best hockey this season; but over his last two games he’s starting to break out with two goals and two assists. Those are the numbers we’ve been used to seeing out of Matthews and that should continue tonight. Not only is this a big game for the standings of the Atlantic Division, but this is also an important game for the Leafs to win, and the big players know it. Toronto is seeking their fifth win in a row after a rocky start.
With four points in his last two games, the flood gates might be opened for Matthews, and +120 provides great odds for the best goalscorer in the world. His shooting percentage of 9.1% is so far below his career average of 16% that he’s bound to improve on those numbers at some point. We’re expecting that to be tonight. He hasn’t lacked chances, shooting more than four times a game. Expect him to continue his point streak, take Matthews to record a goal tonight.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs.
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