Ryan Hodges
Show Bio
Wednesday’s NHL slate brings 4 games starting from 7:30 pm ET through to 10:00 pm ET. The Blues vs Rangers and Predators vs Kraken games will be nationally televised on TNT. Those are also the games which have some solid player props with good value. Along with our player props, be sure to check out our full game previews for tonight’s matchups.
Pavel Buchnevich over 0.5 goals (+250)
The St. Louis Blues score the 5th-most goals per game in the NHL and also have the 2nd-best power play. Pavel Buchnevich is tied for 2nd in scoring, tied for 1st in power-play goals, 3rd in even-strength goals, and 2nd in shots on goal in the team rankings. He is currently on the second line with assist specialist Robert Thomas and fellow sniper Vladimir Tarasenko. Both guys also have over 40 points and near a point-per-game average. Buchnevich is also on the Blues’ great power play. Included on Buchnevich’s power play unit is Thomas and team leading scorer Jordan Kyrou. Buchnevich gets a lot of meaningful minutes as he averages 18:00 per game across even strength and special teams. He plays with star players who generate plenty of offense and create high-percentage chances.
A big intangible is that he will have a little extra juice in this matchup against his former team. Buchnevich expressed a little bit of disappointment at the time of the trade as he spent 5 seasons with the Rangers, which was his only team since he was 21. He has found a nice role on a good team and will have ample opportunity to get on the board in this game. His skill combined with ice time, linemates, and a chip on his shoulder make him a player to watch.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the St. Louis Blues vs New York Rangers
Mark Giordano over 0.5 points (+115)
Nashville and Seattle have played each other twice this season and Mark Giordano has a point in each game. In those games he played 22:32 minutes and collected both points on the power play. He averages 21:30 of ice time per game and is a significant part of both the power play and penalty kill. The Predators are the most penalized team in the NHL with 256 total penalties taken. That is 26 clear of the 2nd-most penalized team. Seattle will get their chances on the power play and when they do, Giordano will be an integral part. Ironically Giordano also leads the team with 2 shorthanded goals. Not that that should be counted on, but it magnifies his 2-way, situational talent.
Giordano has close to a half-point per game average which is at least respectable as a defenseman on such a bad team. Over half of his points have been at even strength, so it’s not like he is a one-trick pony in terms of being a power-play specialist. Another wrinkle is Giordano is a prime trade candidate for a contender in the next few weeks. He has a few seasons left at most and is hungry for a Stanley Cup. He may be playing with a little more jam over these next few weeks to make sure he attracts strong contending suitors.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for the Nashville Predators vs Seattle Kraken
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