Ryan Hodges
Show Bio
The bridge to Friday brings the second 13-game NHL slate this week. Fans are in for a treat on Thursday night. Among several great matchups are Penguins vs Bruins, Avalanche vs Stars and a Stanley Cup Finals rematch between the Panthers and Golden Knights. On a quieter night in the sports world, this huge NHL slate will bring attention to hockey and plenty of entertainment to fans. Hopefully you can knock out any errands or obligations and soak in this action.
You can find out our best NHL player prop bets below, but make sure you also read our NHL predictions for today’s games.
Bryan Rust, PIT, Over 0.5 points (+105)
Bryan Rust returned from injury on Tuesday and is back in a key role on the Penguins. Rust is slated on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith. He is also on the second power play with Smith, Kris Letang, Jeff Carter and Lars Eller. Rust has been a stalwart in Pittsburgh’s top 6 with either Malkin or Sidney Crosby for years. This is a very important player that is rejoining the team at a great time.
The Bruins are a very difficult opponent. But following a slow start to the season, the Penguins now look to be on the ascent as they are 7-2-1 in ther last 10. This game is more important for the Penguins, which means their top players will get even more important minutes. Rust has 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 games along with a +12 rating. He will get plenty of ice time with fellow star players and will have a good opportunity to log a point.
Read our full Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins predictions
Artemi Panarin, NYR, Over 0.5 goals (+100)
The Rangers get a very favorable matchup on Thursday as they host the Blackhawks. Chicago is near the cellar of the league, it scores the second-fewest goals per game in the NHL and allows the second-most goals. Rangers players should be licking their chops tonight for what has potential to be a stat-padding game. In such case, Artemi Panarin is certainly no exception.
Panarin is well on his way to a career year; he has 23 goals and 51 points in 36 games played this season. The Rangers are one of the best teams — if not the best team — in hockey. Panarin is the best player on said best team. He leads the Rangers in goals, assists and points, is 5th in the NHL in goals and tied for 4th in points. This plus-money play on Panarin to score against one of the worst teams in hockey has great value.
