NHL Player Props & Picks: Saturday (10/3)

The NHL season just started, so we’ve got our first Saturday slate with 13 games on tap. This gives us a ton of volume to find value and place three wagers on today’s best NHL player props.

I’ve opted to fade three forwards on the ice tonight in the Over/Under 0.5 Points betting market on DraftKings Sportsbook. Make sure to lock in all of these player props before tonight’s opening puck drops get underway at 7 p.m. ET.

Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay for more betting analysis and free picks.

Saturday’s Best NHL Player Prop Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Alex Tuch Under 0.5 Points (-150)

Tuch’s disappointing production in the playoffs for the Buffalo Sabres was quickly put to rest with a 2-goal burst during Washington’s 5-2 win over Carolina on Friday night. Despite this big-time production against the reigning Stanley Cup champions, Tuch’s going up against a brick wall in Andrei Vasilevskiy tonight.

Tampa Bay’s star goaltender did give up 4 goals against the Rangers during the Lightning’s 5-1 loss on the road on Thursday. Expect a better performance from the former Vezina Trophy winner. Tuch also doesn’t earn minutes on the top powerplay unit, slotting into the second unit without the Capitals’ best scorers.

I’m willing to lay a bit of juice on Tuch’s Under 0.5 Points prop at -150 odds on the road against an elite goaltender like Vasilevskiy tonight.

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Ivan Demidov Under 0.5 Points (-125)

We’re fading one of Montreal’s best young forwards on the road against the Penguins tonight. Ivan Demidov was held without a point during the Canadiens’ 3-2 win over Toronto, despite skating on the first attack line and primary powerplay unit, recording just 1 SOG.

Now, Demidov faces Arturs Silovs. Pittsburgh’s netminder just blanked the Flyers in a 7-0 win, stopping all 19 shots faced. He’s been stout in between the pipes dating back to the Penguins’ playoff run.

While Demidov possesses undeniable talent, it’s a good matchup to fade the 20-year-old forward. We’re landing a good price on Demidov to go Under 0.5 Points at -125 odds in Pittsburgh tonight.

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Brayden Schenn Under 0.5 Points (-140)

The New York Islanders were held to 1 goal during their 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs. Tonight marks just the second game of the season for the new-look Islanders, who acquired Brayden Schenn from the Blues at the trade deadline last season.

It’s Schenn’s 18th year in the league, and he’s coming off a campaign where he notched 39 points, including 18 goals. He was held without a point during his season debut in Toronto.

Now, Schenn, who skates on the second attack line and top powerplay unit for the Islanders, faces Nico Daws and the New Jersey Devils. Daws is a bit of a boom-or-bust netminder, however, the Devils’ brand of defensive, physical play under head coach Sheldon Keefe will limit Schenn’s scoring opportunities.

Schenn finished Wednesday’s outing with 1 SOG and less than 15 minutes ATOI. We’re laying a bit less juice fading Schenn to record a point compared to o Tuch at -150 odds.

Place a third and final wager on Brayden Schenn Under 0.5 Points at -140 odds to round out tonight’s NHL player prop best bets.