We're coming off of a clean sweep in Thursday's PrizePicks article, and I'm looking to stay hot as the NHL rolls out a stacked 12-game schedule. Below I've listed my three favorite player predictions for PrizePicks. If all three cash, they'll net us a 5x multiplier.
We're coming off of a clean sweep in Thursday's PrizePicks article, and I'm looking to stay hot as the NHL rolls out a stacked 12-game schedule. Below I've listed my three favorite player predictions for PrizePicks. If all three cash, they'll net us a 5x multiplier.
Saturday’s Best NHL PrizePicks Player Predictions
Joel Eriksson Ek Less Than 2.5 Shots on Goal
Two of the best defensive teams in the NHL square off tonight, when the Hurricanes (23-13-2) host the Wild (24-11-4) in a cross-conference tilt. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.
Carolina enters the weekend ranked ninth in overall defense, allowing only 2.61 goals per game. One key reason for their defensive success is that they do not put their goaltenders in harm's way. The Canes are second in the NHL in shots on goal against (956), trailing only the Kings (920).
I'll take this opportunity to play the less than on Minnesota's Joel Eriksson Ek’s shots on goal (SOG) player prediction and say that he doesn't reach 3+ SOG tonight. The centerman is more of a pass-first forward anyway, as he's logged a 5:11 goal-to-assist ratio this season.
Regarding SOG, Eriksson Ek is just fifth on the Wild in SOG (63). Over 25 games played, that equates to 2.52 shots on goal per game (SOG/G). He's stayed under 2.5 SOG in two straight games. Considering the tough matchup against Carolina's physical defense, I'll lock in Eriksson Ek to stay under this threshold.
Josh Morrissey More Than 0.5 Assists
The action continues with another cross-conference showdown, this one featuring a battle between the Red Wings (16-18-4) and the Jets (27-11-2). Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, MB.
This Winnipeg offense continues to light up the league this year, as they enter this contest ranked second in scoring (3.6 goals per game) and first on the power play (31.97%). Their top quartet of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Gabriel Vilardi and Josh Morrissey have been the driving force behind the team's offensive success. Specifically, Morrissey has been amassing helpers from the blue line, where his 33 assists are the ninth-most in the NHL. I'll take the defenseman who's logging a team-leading 24:33 time on ice per game (TOI/G) to register an assist tonight.
This is a great matchup for the Jets, as they host a Red Wings defense that isn't very good. Let's start with the most critical metric - Detroit is 31st on the penalty kill this year (69.23%). Winnipeg's power-play unit should feast on this lowly group. Overall, the Wings are 26th in overall defense (3.03 GAA) and 19th in SV% (.890). Give me Morrissey to collect an assist, which he's done in four of his last six games.
Alex DeBrincat More Than 0.5 Points
Keeping it in the same game, I'm also riding with Alex DeBrincat to pick up a point. I'm never rushing to the window to fade Winnipeg's dynamic defense, but there's a chance they're starting to come back down to earth. They're a pedestrian 10-8-2 over their last 20 games, conceding an average of 2.65 goals per game over the stretch. That's certainly not horrible, but they haven't been lights out.
Meanwhile, Alex DeBrincat and the Red Wings offense have been hot recently. Over their last three games, they're scoring 4.33 goals per game. DeBrincat has contributed to six (three goals, three assists) of the 13 goals scored over the three-game heater. Overall, he has 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists). He's notched at least one point in five of his last eight contests. I'll back DeBrincat to record a point in Manitoba tonight.
