Ryan Hodges
Show Bio
Tuesday marks the end of the first full week of the 2023-24 NHL season and it has not disappointed. Even so, with several players getting back up to full speed and teams finding their stride, the quality of play will only improve. There are 9 games on the slate tonight highlighted by the Lightning visiting the Sabres, the Avalanche visiting the Kraken, and the Stars visiting the Golden Knights. Soaking in Tuesday’s games will be a great way to break up the work week.
You can find out our NHL predictions for every game today, but for now, let’s dive into our best NHL prop bets.
Tage Thompson (BUF) over 0.5 goals (+100)
The Sabres are off to an underwhelming start after dropping their first game to the Rangers 5-1 then losing 3-2 to the Islanders. While it is only two games, they will want to make sure their losing streak at the start of the season ends there. The Sabres are back at home and should come out with plenty of jump against a strong Lightning team. When they do, look for Tage Thompson to be the leader.
Surprisingly, Thompson does not have a point yet and is -3. Again, it is just 2 games. But the Sabres want to get on track sooner rather than later and they will either go or not go with Thompson, who had 47 goals and 94 points last year. Thompson plays with Jeff Skinner, Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens and Rasmus Dahlin among other strong players. Star players can typically find another gear when they need to and Thompson is a star player with a little bit of pressure on Tuesday. I expect him to dial it up and have a good chance to score.
Read our full Tampa Bay Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres predictions
Connor McDavid (EDM) over 0.5 goals (-115)
The Oilers are another team with plenty of hype who have had a tough couple of games to start the season. They lost 8-1 at Vancouver and then 4-3 at home against the Canucks. Connor McDavid scored his first goal of the season in Saturday’s gmae and he should will show up ready to play and will the Oilers to their first win of the season. McDavid is scary enough without any incentive to score or produce. Now he has a chip on his shoulder to help the Oilers avoid going 0-3 to start the season.
Year after year, McDavid has continued to put up unbelievable numbers. He is in the prime of his career and his team’s window to win is firmly open. We should see the absolute best McDavid has to offer this year which should be well over a point per game once again. His 64 goals and 153 points last year were career-highs in his overall 853 points in 304 games, 8-year career. He plays on a loaded line on a loaded team and gets a favorable matchup on Tuesday. Even -115 odds have appeal for McDavid to score.
You can also read today’s NHL mega parlay at +894 odds!
