The NHL is back with a solid 11-game slate tonight, featuring a few intriguing matchups. From a sports betting perspective, I'm heading to PrizePicks to get some skin in the game. Below I've listed my three favorite player props on the platform, and this trio provides a 5/1 payout if all three props cash.
The NHL is back with a solid 11-game slate tonight, featuring a few intriguing matchups. From a sports betting perspective, I'm heading to PrizePicks to get some skin in the game. Below I've listed my three favorite player props on the platform, and this trio provides a 5/1 payout if all three props cash.
Thursday Best NHL PrizePicks Player Projections
(Props courtesy of PrizePicks)
Alexis Lafreniere More Than 0.5 Points
Let's start in the Big Apple, where the Rangers (23-20-4) host the Flyers (22-20-6) in a pivotal Metropolitan Division tilt. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York, NY.
The Blue Shirts have been on a bit of a heater recently, winning seven of their last 11 games (7-1-3). They've picked up points in nine straight contests. Top-line winger Alexis Lafreniere has helped get the offense back on track during the stretch, as he's logged seven points (4G, 3A) in his last nine games. Lafreniere has at least one point in two straight games and in three of his last four outings.
I'm still a bit wary of Philadelphia's defense. Specifically, their goaltending is suspect, as the Flyers are dead last in SV% (.875). As a team, they're allowing 3.06 goals per game, which is 26th overall. Lafreniere is third on the team in SOG (111), and his shooting percentage is a solid 11.7%. So, whether it comes by lighting the lamp, or picking up an assist to either Artemi Panarin or Vincent Trocheck, I like Lafreniere to make his way onto the scoresheet.
Owen Tippett Less Than 0.5 Points
Keeping it in the same game, I'm taking Owen Tippett to stay off the scoresheet for the Flyers. The top-line winger is third on the team in scoring this season, but he has a pedestrian 29 points (13G, 16A) across 48 games played. That's just 124th in the NHL. He's also logging a measly 16:57 TOI/G. Tippett has gone scoreless in eight out of his last 14 games (57.1%), and I think we'll see that trend continue here.
The main reason why I like Tippett to go scoreless is because he's running into a red-hot Igor Shesterkin. It's unconfirmed whether or not Shesty will be in the net or not, but I will absolutely love this wager if he is between the pipes. Shesterkin is dialed in right now, registering two consecutive shutouts while going a combined 47-47 (1.000 SV%) during his last two outings.
Patrik Laine More Than 2.5 SOG
Let's head out to Motown, where the Canadiens (24-19-4) are set to lock horns with the Red Wings (21-21-5) in a critical Atlantic Division showdown. This contest is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI.
This Habs squad is night and day different when Patrik Laine is in the mix. He missed the beginning of the year with a knee injury, but he's back and healthy at this point. Laine has 17 points (12G, 5A) in just 19 games, and as you can tell from his 12 goals, he's clearly the trigger-man when he's on the ice. The second-line winger and top-unit power-play contributor has racked up 52 SOG during those 19 contests, which equates to 2.7 SOG/G. Laine has logged 3+ SOG in two straight games, as well as in four out of six games this month.
I'll back the star winger to go for 3+ SOG tonight against the Red Wings. Detroit has faced the 11th-most SOG (1,367) this season, and those 1,367 SOG translate to 29.1 SOG/G. They're also just 23rd in blocked shots (774 or 16.7/G). Look for Laine to rip at least three shots on goal in this favorable matchup against Detroit.
