There are a few mismatches on tonight's nine-game NHL schedule, which should provide us some edges. I'm heading to PrizePicks for these player predictions. If all three hit, they'll net us a 5x multiplier.
There are a few mismatches on tonight's nine-game NHL schedule, which should provide us some edges. I'm heading to PrizePicks for these player predictions. If all three hit, they'll net us a 5x multiplier.
Thursday’s Best NHL PrizePicks Player Predictions
Kyle Connor More Than 0.5 Assists
Let's start in the City of Brotherly Love, where the Flyers (27-27-8) are set to host the Jets (42-16-4). These teams just met in Manitoba on March 1st - Philadelphia prevailed 2-1 in a shootout. This rematch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Winnipeg's Kyle Connor logged an assist in the 2-1 shootout loss on Saturday, which gives hiM three helpers in his last two games. The left winger has at least one assist in six of his last seven games. He's up to 45 assists on the season, which is the 15th-most in the NHL.
While Philadelphia's defense has been playing a bit better lately, I'm still not convinced they've turned things around completely. This Winnipeg offense should be able to expose them for at least two or three goals. The Flyers rank dead last in team SV% (.878) and sit 26th in GAA (3.08). They're a mid-tier 17th in penalty-killing (78.95%). They welcome a Jets squad that sits atop the league on the power play (31.18%). Give me Connor to register and assist in this one.
Zach Werenski More Than 0.5 Assists
The action continues with an interesting Eastern Conference showdown between two current playoff teams, as the Blue Jackets (30-23-8) head to Florida to take on the Panthers (38-21-3). Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.
I mentioned Connor was 15th in the NHL in assists this season. One of the players in front of him is Columbus' Zach Werenski (46 assists – 11th-most). Werenski is turning in a monster offensive season and while he draws a tough matchup against the Cats tonight, I like him to add another apple. In his last 13 games, Werenski has logged at least one assist on eight occasions.
For as good of a defensive team as we perceive Florida to be, they're certainly not untouchable. They come into tonight's game ranked seventh in GAA (2.50) and 13th in SV% (.897). They're also a mid-tier 13th on the penalty kill (80.33%). Columbus' offense is a top-five unit. I like them to find some success in this game. I'll play Werenski to pick up an assist.
Logan Cooley More Than 0.5 Points
Let's wrap it up in Motown, where the Utah Hockey Club (27-25-9) square off against the Red Wings (30-25-6) in a cross-conference tilt. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI.
Detroit has not been playing well recently, going just 2-4-1 in their last seven games. The defense has been the main issue, as they're allowing four goals per game during the seven-game sample size. Overall, the Wings have dipped to 23rd in GAA (2.95) and 20th in SV% (.891), while owning the league's worst penalty-killing unit (69.93%). They've also faced the fourth-most high-danger shots this season (244).
Being that Detroit isn't in great form defensively, I think this is a great opportunity to fade them. I'll lock in top-line centerman Logan Cooley to pick up a point tonight. Cooley is just under a point-per-game guy this season, racking up 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) across 54 games played. He has registered at least one point in four out of his last five games, as well as in nine of his last 13 contests.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:
