Ryan Hodges
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Thursday’s NHL slate was stacked with several key matchups and did not remotely disappoint. As the dust settles, there are just 2 games on tap Friday night ahead of an even larger 15-game schedule on Saturday. Tonight, the Flyers visit the Sabres and the Devils visit the Blues. Despite just 2 games, there are some attractive bets on the board. The Flyers and Blues are good teams to target when evaluating props of the superstars playing against them. You can also find out our NHL predictions for today’s slate, but for now, let’s dive into our best NHL prop bets.
Tage Thompson over 0.5 goals (-110)
Through the Sabres’ first 6 games, Tage Thompson only had 1 point. He has come alive though as he now has 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points with a +4 rating in his last 4 games. Buffalo did not exactly have a cupcake schedule during that span. They played the Senators, Devils, Avalanche and Flyers. Thompson appears to have fully broken out of his short, early-season slump and has produced against good teams.
The Flyers have played well early on but they are not expected to sustain it. They have dropped 3 consecutive games with 15 goals allowed during that span. That average of 5 goals allowed per game over Philadelphia’s current losing streak should have Thompson and his talented teammates licking their chops. This is the second of back-to-backs between these teams. Buffalo won 5-2 on Wednesday and Thompson had a goal and 2 assists. All signs are pointing toward Thompson and the Sabres having a repeat performance.
Jack Hughes over 1.5 points (-110)
Jack Hughes has been fantastic this season. New Jersey is 6-2-1 and in 9 games, Hughes has an NHL-leading 20 points. Including Hughes, the Devils have 3 players averaging over a point per game. Thus far this season, New Jersey scores the second-most goals per game in the NHL and has the league’s best power play. Jack Hughes and the Devils are dangerous and they get a favorable matchup on Friday.
The Blues were brutal on the defensive side of the puck last season. In their first few games, it looked like they made some fixes. But they have lost 2 straight now by a combined score of 9-1. In their 4 regulation losses, St. Louis has allowed 19 goals. So far, when the Blues lose, they lose big. They appear vulnerable right now and do not look like they have the horses to keep up with Jack Hughes and this Devils team. Hughes has a good chance to pad his stats tonight.
Don’t miss our NHL picks for both of today’s games
