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 with a high success rate league-wide, with over 87% of the league currently cashing at 50% or better this season. By the end of the season, that number should be even closer to 90% meaning there is still plenty of money left to be made from GIFTs this season.
Anytime Goal Scorer props are even easier. Pick a player to score and if they light the lamp at any point, you win!
My published picks are 42-18 (.700) since Nov. 23, including a stellar 20-1 (.952) record cashing GIFTs and a 22-17 (.564) record on ATGs. Let’s roll!
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Thursday’s Best GIFT & Anytime Goal Scorer Prop Bets
2024-25 Record: 80-72-1 | GIFT Record: 36-15 | ATG Record: 44-57-1 | Last: 3-1 | Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche
The Oilers are expected to send out Stuart Skinner to tend the twine. The 26-year-old Canadian is 17-9-3, carrying a 2.68 GAA and a .902 Save% this season. Edmonton is 28-16 cashing the GIFT this season, including an incredible 17-4 record (.801) away from Rogers Place. The Oil have covered the GIFT in four of their last five and are 8-2 in their last 10.
On the opposite end of the ice, Colorado will likely roll out Mackenzie Blackwood to guard the crease. The 28-year-old Canadian is 15-11-4, carrying a 2.49 GAA and a .920 Save% this season. The Avalanche are 28-17 cashing the GIFT this season with 14 cashes on the friendly Ball Arena ice. The Avs have cashed the GIFT in four of their last five games overall, including two of their last three at home.
These teams’ combined 56-38 record (.596) cashing the GIFT this season and this includes a stellar 31-12 record (.721) in these home/road conditions should mean Mile High fireworks, early and often.
Pick: Goal In First Ten (-154)
Anytime Goal Scorer Picks
Alex Ovechkin (+145) – 3G in L7, 8G in L6 on road, 12-of-20 G (.600) on road, 36 G vs. OTT all-time, 873 career goals (2nd all-time)
Sam Reinhart (+130) – 5G in L4, 2G in L1 at home, 2G vs. DET last season, 27 G (2nd in NHL)
Matt Duchene (+225) – 3G in L7, 9-of-17 G (.529) at home, Birthday boy! (1/16/1991)
ATG Parlay Odds: +1691
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.