NHL PrizePicks Player Predictions: Thursday (3/7)

The NHL rolls out a massive 12-game slate tonight, leaving us with a plethora of different ways to get in on the action. I'm heading the PrizePicks route tonight, where I've compiled this Power Play on the ice. Here are my top three plays over at PrizePicks:

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Best NHL PrizePicks Player Projections

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Aleksander Barkov Less Than 2.5 SOG

The Panthers are on fire right now, winning 16 of their last 18 games (16-2-0). They'll put their current six-game winning streak on the line tonight as they square off against the Flyers in Philadelphia. I'm locking in the Under for Aleksander Barkov SOG at 2.5. The centerman clearly plays with a pass-first mentality, and why wouldn't he, considering he's playing alongside Sam Reinhart, who's absolutely lighting up the league with 45 goals?

Barkov has 155 SOG this season, which is just fourth on the team, and he has finished under this number in two of his last three games. The under 2.5 SOG has cashed in nine of his last 16 games. The Cats will take on a scrappy Flyers squad that has allowed the fifth-fewest 5-on-5 shots on goal this season (1,335). Philly's also fourth in shots blocked per game this season at 18.56%.

Evan Bouchard More Than 0.5 Assists

The Oilers are heating up again as they enter tonight's game against the Blue Jackets on a five-game win streak. This Evan Bouchard prop has cashed in five of the last six games, where the D-man has racked up six helpers. This will be a very favorable matchup for Edmonton's offense as they take on a Columbus defense that's 30th overall (3.39 GAA) and 25th on the penalty kill (76.40%). Bouchard is leading the way with 22:50 TOI/G and he also runs the blue line on the top power-play unit, which should provide him opportunities to add an easy helper playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Fabian Zetterlund More Than 2.5 SOG

Let's wrap it up out West as the Sharks host the Islanders in the NHL nightcap. San Jose is looking to snap an eight-game slide (0-6-2), and they should at least be able to get the puck on net tonight against New York. Whether they score or not is a different question. But, the Isles have conceded the fifth-most SOG this season during 5-on-5 play (1,578), so this seems like a great spot to lock in the Sharks’ top shooter, Fabian Zetterlund (144 SOG). The winger has reached at least 3.0 SOG in two straight games and in four of his last six contests. With the Sharks likely trailing in this game, we can expect their top line, which features Zetterlund, to be very active in the offensive zone. I like Zetterlund to eclipse 2.5 SOG tonight at home.

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday: