NHL PrizePicks Player Predictions: Thursday (3/14)
The NHL rolls out a massive 12-game slate tonight, providing us with a myriad of ways to get some skin in the game. I'm heading the PrizePicks route, where I've crafted this Power Play that pays 5/1 odds.
Here are my top three NHL PrizePicks player predictions for Thursday, March 14.
Best NHL PrizePicks Player Projections
(Props courtesy of PrizePicks)
Drake Batherson Over 2.5 SOG
The Senators snapped a seven-game losing streak last time out, beating the Penguins 2-1. They'll go for their second straight win tonight as they travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on the Blue Jackets.
I'm rolling with Drake Batherson to register at least 3.0 shots on goal. With a sell-off at the deadline, the winger was promoted to the top line, where he's playing alongside Brady Tkachuk (LW) and Shane Pinto (C). He has averaged 18:44 TOI/G over six games this month, which is up from his season average of 17:40. Batherson has reached 3.0 SOG in five of his last seven games, and he'll take on a Blue Jackets side that has allowed the fourth-most 5-on-5 SOG this season (1,696). He's a respectable fifth on the team in SOG (147) this year and should bag at least a trio tonight.
Jamie Benn Over 0.5 Points
The NHL playoff race is heating up, and the Stars are tied for first (Avalanche) in the Central Division with 89 points. They'll host the Devils tonight as they look to get back into the win column after a 4-3 loss to the Panthers on Tuesday.
I'm locking in Jamie Benn to record at least one point tonight. The winger added an assist in Tuesday's loss, giving him nine points (2G, 7A) over his last six games. Benn has cashed this prop in five of those six games. Now, he'll be tasked with scoring on a New Jersey defense that's 25th in the league (3.15 GAA). Benn's still getting time on the top power play, and the Devils are a pedestrian 15th on the PK (79.49%). All signs indicate that Benn should make his way onto the scoresheet tonight.
Shea Theodore Over 0.5 Points
Let's wrap it up out west as the Golden Knights go for their third straight win, this time squaring off against the Flames in Calgary, Alberta. The Flames threw in the towel at the deadline, sending off several key pieces. Since Friday's deadline, they're 0-3-0, allowing 6.0 goals per game!
Enter Shea Theodore, who has been on fire since returning from injury last month. The veteran D-man has recorded at least one point in eight of his 10 games since returning to the lineup. He has 12 points (12A) over that 10-game sample size. This Flames team is in a free fall right now, and I think the upward-trending Golden Knights will take it to them tonight. Let's round out our PrizePicks Power Play with Shea Theodore to add a point.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: