Ryan Hodges
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Wednesday’s 4-game NHL slate should bring plenty of jam as it features a great rivalry and some teams that will be pressing a little bit. Among storylines for all 8 teams suiting up Wednesday, Pittsburgh is winless in their last 7 games, Washington is battling injuries and Minnesota has underachieved this season. Although these teams are less than a quarter of the way through the season, they will come out to battle. If you’re looking to have some action, check out our favorite player props for Wednesday night. Along with our player props, be sure to also check out our NHL picks for each of today’s games.
Kirill Kaprizov over 0.5 goals (+120)
The Ducks present a great matchup for the Wild forwards on Wednesday night. Anaheim has the NHL’s worst goal prevention with 4.62 goals allowed per game. In their last 5 games, they have allowed 25 goals for an average of 5 goals allowed per game. The Wild are mostly the same team that had the 5th-most points and goals scored in the NHL last season. Kirill Kaprizov accounted for 47 Wild goals last season on his way to 108 points in 81 games played. Minnesota has trended upward in the past week. If they are working back to last season’s form, Kaprizov will undoubtedly be involved.
Kaprizov is on Minnesota’s first line and top powerplay unit. He is on the ice for every high-leverage situation throughout a game when the Wild need a spark. Kaprizov has logged more than 20 minutes of ice time in 8 of 11 games. This excludes last night, in which he was ejected for high-sticking Drew Doughty. The Ducks allow goals in bulk and have the 3rd-most penalty minutes in the NHL. Kaprizov is an elite goalscorer and should have chances all game, both 5 on 5 and on the power play. He should be heavily involved in Minnesota’s offense on Wednesday.
*Pre-Game Note*: Kaprizov is expected to be on the ice for Wednesday’s game against the Ducks. If he is scratched due to disciplinary action taken for his match penalty on Tuesday, then take a look at Mats Zuccarello over 1.5 points (+175) or anytime goal scorer (+230). He has 12 points in 12 games, logs over 20 minutes of ice time, is on the top line and top powerplay, and will get even more ice time if Kaprizov is scratched. The Ducks’ weak goal prevention makes a great matchup for the Wild forwards tonight.
Be sure to check out our full Minnesota Wild vs Anaheim Ducks predictions
Alex Ovechkin over 1.5 points (+175)
The Penguins vs Capitals has been one of the NHL’s best rivalries for well over a decade now, thanks to Sidney Crosby vs Alex Ovechkin. Unsurprisingly, neither player has run out of gas as Crosby has 14 points in 12 games, and Ovechkin has 13 points in 14 games without much supporting cast. While they both can light it up on Wednesday, Ovechkin’s chances to rack up a couple of points look better than Crosby’s. Ovechkin has scored 4 goals and has 6 points in the Caps’ last 5 games. In his last 3 games, he has logged over 20 minutes of ice time. Washington is a bit beaten up right now so Ovechkin will get even more ice time as there is not as much depth right now.
In addition to being on the top line and logging important minutes, Ovechkin is a stalwart on Washington’s powerplay. The Penguins have gone winless in their last 7 games. They allowed 4+ goals in 5 of those 7 games and allowed 6 goals in 3 of those games. With the Penguins’ current form, the Capitals will be able to generate offense and when they do, Alex Ovechkin is involved. The Penguins are an opponent that Ovechkin and the Capitals get up to play 100% of the time. Ovechkin’s strong play lately matched up against Pittsburgh’s overall struggles looks good for him to get on the scoresheet a couple of times.
Be sure to check out our full Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals predictions
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