Betting the GIFT (Goal In First Ten) is simple. Pick whether or not a game will have a goal scored in the first 10 minutes of play (00:00-09:59). It's that easy and all you have to do is root for anyone to score and you win. It is one area of hockey betting that has a nearly league-wide positive success rate with 93.75% of the league currently cashing at 50% or better last season.
Anytime Goal Scorer props are even easier. Pick a player to score and if they light the lamp at any point, you win!
As always: Tail me for cash, fade me for trash!
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Sunday’s Best GIFT & Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Bets
2024 Record: 6-6 | Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers
Calgary will have Dan Vladar in goal tonight and he finished last season with a 3.62 Goals Against Average and a .882 Save Percentage. He also carried an 8-9-2 record in 19 starts. Vladar is 1-0-0 this season but does carry a 4.87 GAA and an .800 Save%. Additionally, the GIFT cashed in his only other appearance this season. The Flames are 2-0 against the GIFT including 1-0 away from Scotiabank Saddledome.
On the other side of the ice, Edmonton will likely counter with Stuart Skinner who has had a less-than-stellar beginning to his season. The 25-year-old went 36-16-5 with a 2.62 GAA in 59 appearances last season. However, Skinner is 0-1-0 this season while carrying a 9.64 GAA and a .615 Save% after a disastrous opening outing where he was pulled in the second period after surrendering five goals on just 13 shots. Despite the fact the GIFT is 0-2 this season at Rogers Place, I am confident that changes tonight.
Despite Skinner’s poor performance, the GIFT did not cash as Winnipeg didn’t beat Skinner the first time until the 14:56 mark. However, today Connor Hellebuyck isn’t on the other side so the Oilers should have more of a hand in the GIFT cashing this time around.
Pick: Goal In First Ten (-160)
Anytime Goal Scorer Picks
Zach Hyman (-110) – 4G vs. Calgary in ’23, 36-of-54 G (.667) in ’23 at home
Jack Eichel (+105) – 4G in L6 at home, 3G vs. Ducks in ’23, 19-of-31 G (.613) in ’23 at home
ATG Parlay Odds: +291
Luke Monaldo is a featured writer at BettingPros. Follow him on Twitter @MoKnowsSports and Discord @alydar1227 AKA The GIFTing Crooner. For more from Luke, check out his archive.