The NHL rolls out a fantastic 11-game slate today, providing us with plenty of different ways to get in on the action. I'm heading the PrizePicks route, where I've narrowed in on three player predictions on the platform. If all three plays cash, they'll net us a 5x multiplier.
The NHL rolls out a fantastic 11-game slate today, providing us with plenty of different ways to get in on the action. I'm heading the PrizePicks route, where I've narrowed in on three player predictions on the platform. If all three plays cash, they'll net us a 5x multiplier.
Saturday’s Best NHL PrizePicks Player Predictions
David Pastrnak More Than 0.5 Assists
The NHL action gets started early today with a matinee showdown between the Flyers (12-11-3) and the Bruins (14-11-3). Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET from the TD Garden in Boston, MA.
Boston's David Pastrnak hasn't been lighting the lamp at his typical rate this year (nine goals), but he has been contributing in other ways. The winger has logged 17 assists this season, which is the 33rd-best mark in the league. He's picked up 12 helpers in his last 14 games, cashing the more than in eight of those 14 contests (57.1%).
I like this matchup for Pastrnak to pick up an assist in front of his home crowd. While Philadelphia has been a scrappy bunch this year, there's simply no denying they're still one of the worst defenses in the NHL. They're ranked 27th in GAA (3.15) and 28th in SV% (.882).
The Flyers just got lit up for seven goals in a 7-5 defeat against the Panthers on Thursday. I think the Bruins could lay it on them this afternoon. Give me Pastrnak to add an assist.
Mikael Granlund More Than 0.5 Points
The Sharks (10-14-5) had their three-game winning streak snapped last time out, as they were hammered 8-1 by the Lightning in Tampa. Up next is the second leg of the Florida circuit, where they'll take on the Stanley Cup-winning Panthers (16-9-2). Puck drop is slated for 6:00 p.m. ET from Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.
San Jose's offense runs through Mikael Granlund, as he's contributed to 29 out of the team's 81 goals (35.8%) this year. The centerman's 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) are the 22nd-most in the NHL. Granlund has at least one point in 18 of his 27 games played (66.7%) this season. That includes this current stretch where he's made his way onto the scoresheet in seven of his last nine contests (77.8%).
While we typically think of Florida as being a well-structured, defensive team, that hasn't been the case this season. The Cats are a bottom-tier defensive unit right now, ranking 24th in GAA at 2.96. They cannot get a save in net, as their .878 SV% ranks 30th. Florida has allowed five goals in each of its last two games. I think this is a good spot to back San Jose's Granlund to pick up a point.
Tom Wilson More Than 0.5 Points
The Capitals (18-6-2) just keep on rolling, as they enter the weekend sitting atop the Metropolitan Division with 38 points. They'll try to collect another pair of points this evening when they square off against the Canadiens (10-13-3) in Quebec. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC.
The Canadiens are one of the worst defenses in the NHL this season, ranking 30th in both GAA (3.35) and high-danger shots against (116), while sitting 29th in SV% (.880). These guys cannot keep the puck out of their net, and that's not a great recipe when the league's best offense, Washington (4.0 goals per game), is coming to town.
I'm taking Tom Wilson to log a point tonight. Wilson has 20 points this year, which have come via nine goals and 11 assists. He's scored at least one point in four out of his last six games (66.7%). He also went for one goal and one helper in a 6-3 home win against the Habs back on Halloween night. Give me Wilson to score against this lowly Montreal defense.
